Building consumer trust by assuring them security of critical personal financial data will propel e-commerce in Qatar, industry experts told a one-day forum held under the aegis of ictQatar at the Ritz-Carlton here Monday.
Secure payment gateways, safe online transactions, protecting consumer’s financial data and building logistics network by all stakeholders as per the regulator’s norms will spur e-commerce in Qatar, experts said today.
Earlier, HE the Minister of Information and Communications Technology Dr. Hessa Al-Jaber gave her opening remarks to Qatar E-Commerce Forum comprising policymakers and e-commerce service providers.
Ernst and Young IT Risk and Assurance Senior Director Malek Bechlaghem said, “Personal financial data security is crucial. Vendors should have trust mark to eliminate consumers’ fears and perceptions on credit card fraud.” Doha Bank Head of Retail Banking Suresh Bajpai said, “Online payments have to be secure. They should give consumers confidence that their transactions are safe. This is where banks come in to provide secure payment gateways with through credit, debit, click cards or e-wallet.” Q-Post Chairman and Managing Director Faleh Mohammed Al Naemi gave an overview of success of Qatar’s modernized delivery system. Along with ictQatar and partners Q-Post processed close to 400,000 transactions over the last three months, he said, and revealed that Q-Shop would be launched next year.
Founders and CEO’s of Qatarian e-companies start-ups said Qatar’s e-commerce has good prospects since it is a growing market, others shared their experiences and the way forward for this nascent sector.
CEO of Qatarbestdeals Dr. Aiman Erbad, “E-commerce is evolving, it is yet to mature in Qatar. The local market is thirsty since e-commerce penetration is around 14 per cent.” Another Qatarian startup founder Ahmed Al Kuwari told the forum, “Shifting from cash transactions to plastic will be efficient, fast and eliminate errors.”
Source: Qatar news agency
