The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Visa & Al Barid Bank join forces to accelerate the digitalization of the commerce and industry sector
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-MIC
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Visa & Al Barid Bank sign a memorandum of understanding to support the implementation of the strategies adopted by the Ministry, particularly in the development and digitalization of the commerce and distribution sector.
In this context, Al Barid Bank, in its capacity as a citizen bank acting in favor of financial inclusion, the leading issuer of cards but also a player in the field of electronic payment acquisition, is committed alongside VSEs and merchants to support them in their development by providing efficient and intuitive digital solutions covering the entire value chain and designed specifically for these targets.
For Visa, the world leader in digital payments, this partnership is part of its program aimed at accelerating digital transformation in Africa, deploying new innovative technologies and deepening collaboration with its partners in Morocco. In this context, Visa will mobilize all its experience to expand acceptance through innovative digital solutions complemented by the provision of its financial education platforms.
While emphasizing that the digitalization of payments represents an effective tool which allows the merchant to strengthen its vital role and modernize its activity, Mr. Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Commerce declared: “This partnership is of capital importance and illustrates our ongoing commitment to accelerating the digital shift in the commerce and distribution sector. By joining forces with the expertise of the world leader in digital payments and the expertise in this area of Al Barid Bank, we aspire to achieve the financial inclusion of our merchants and VSEs who will have access to innovative digital solutions likely to “optimize their commercial operations, thus strengthening their empowerment and competitiveness”.
In this context, Ms. Leila Serhan, Group Country Manager of Visa for North Africa, the Levant and Pakistan, said: “Visa is committed to supporting VSEs, which are a fundamental and essential structure to maintain the character unique and specific to the Moroccan economy. They represent more than 90% of Moroccan businesses and contribute significantly to the economy, generating more than 20% of the national GDP. Through our partnership, we are committed to encouraging innovation and supporting Morocco’s progress in technology and trade. »
For his part, Mr. Al Amine NEJJAR declared: “The digitalization of payments and more generally the development of a digital economy, is now part of the era, and will allow, beyond the facilitation of transactions, to establish a virtuous economic dynamic, which will naturally increase the income of traders and small businesses. It is therefore with pride that Al Barid Bank is committed today alongside the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to make its contribution to the building of a structuring project with a national scope, which aims more broadly to promote Morocco as a leading hub for retail tech on an African and global scale. »
Finally, the parties undertake through this partnership to pool their efforts to support the implementation of the strategies adopted by the Ministry, by putting in place a joint action plan to help strengthen the empowerment and competitiveness of businesses. of the Commerce sector, in particular through the acceleration of their digitalization and their financial inclusion.
