Abu Dhabi: Al Etihad Payments (AEP), the owner and operator of the UAE's national switch and the Jaywan domestic card scheme, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UnionPay International to enable the global acceptance of Jaywan mono-badged cards through UnionPay's international network.The agreement will allow Jaywan cardholders to use their cards at more than 100 million points of sale and 1.8 million ATMs across 183 countries and regions worldwide.The MoU was signed at UnionPay International's headquarters in Shanghai by Saif Humaid Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Al Etihad Payments, and Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International.Under the agreement, UnionPay will route transactions made by Jaywan cardholders outside the UAE through the UAE National Switch operated by Al Etihad Payments.A separate MoU will govern settlement arrangements, including the provision of settlement, liquidity and foreign exchange services, supporting the international expansion of the Jaywan scheme.Al Dhaheri said the agreement marks an important milestone in extending the global reach of Jaywan and enhancing cross-border payment capabilities."The signing of this MoU represents an important step in supporting the global expansion of the Jaywan scheme and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border payments, thereby facilitating trade, tourism and economic cooperation."He added that the collaboration expands international usage opportunities for Jaywan cardholders and strengthens the scheme's position among global payment networks.Junfeng said growing economic and commercial ties between China and the UAE are driving demand for more efficient cross-border payment solutions."Building on the MoU on cross-border payments signed by the two central banks in 2025, these agreements will strengthen the global competitiveness and operational resilience of the UAE's domestic payment brand."He added that the partnership would improve local currency settlement efficiency and support bilateral trade relations.The latest agreement builds on the existing cooperation between Al Etihad Payments and UnionPay, which already enables UAE financial institutions to issue co-badged Jaywan-UnionPay cards.Under that arrangement, domestic transactions are processed through the Jaywan network, while international transactions are processed via UnionPay International.
