MTN Syria partnered with Bank Audi Syria to bring unique concepts in mobile communications and banking services. The strategic partnership announced yesterday, during a conference held at Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, the launch of the MTN MasterCard International “Platinum” and local “classic” credit cards, in collaboration with MasterCard Worldwide.
“The initiative reflects our strong belief in the importance of developing the local services we share with the Syrian banking sector, since this new service will undoubtedly give customers the opportunity to benefit from MTN’s services”, said Ismail Jaroudi, Executive General Manager of MTN Syria.
His statement was supported by Bassel Hamwi, Deputy Chairman & General Manager of Bank Audi Syria, Randa Bdeir, Head of Electronic Banking and Business Development at Bank Audi Saradar Group and Basel El-Tell, Vice-President and Country Manager, Levant – MasterCard Worldwide.
A premiere for Syrian market, the card allows customers to purchase products and services in millions point of sales and ATMs in Syria and internationally, while giving access to free local mobile minutes on MTN post paid lines, depending on the amount of purchases and withdrawals on the card.
Therefore, the card offers 5 free local minutes, mobile to mobile, for every purchase for SYP 2000 or USD 40 at any point of sale or with the retrieval of SP 4000 or USD 80 in cash at any ATM which accepts MasterCard. Furthermore, card holders will gain access to a limit up to SYP 1,500,000 for the local Classic card and its equivalent in USD for the international Platinum card. Additionally, free subscription to a SMS service for transaction updates, free mobile bill domiciliation and VIP services are provided.
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a multinational telecommunications group, operating in 21 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, with 108 million subscribers reported at the end of September 2009. The MTN Group is a global sponsor of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and has exclusive mobile content rights for Africa and the Middle East.
Bank Audi Syria launched its operations in September 2005 with a capital of USD 50 million, the largest start-up capital in the Syrian-banking sector, and with one branch in Damascus. It now has a solid network of 21 branches offering a diversified portfolio of commercial and retail products. The Bank’s total assets were reported to reach USD 1.56 billion in September this year.
MasterCard Worldwide provides a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. MasterCard processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year in more than 210 countries, through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®.
