News
Qashio And YallaCompare Launch “Qashio Insurance”
The platform is a trailblazing Digital Health Solution for SMEs that aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Qashio, a fintech company that provides an expense management and corporate card platform, is launching “Qashio Insurance” in partnership with YallaCompare. The branded health insurance product is a cost-effective solution with a simplified and automated digital declaration process, which takes under a minute to complete.
Qashio Insurance is the only digital-first health insurance package for SMEs of all sizes, from freelancers to 25,000-employee corporations. The platform enables applications to be processed ten times faster than conventional methods, many of which still rely on paper and physical signatures.
In addition to improved efficiency, Qashio Insurance offers up to 25% more affordable rates compared to the rest of the market. The platform has three tiers of coverage, allowing businesses to find the right plan to suit their unique needs, as well as an installment payment option.
Armin Moradi, Co-founder and CEO of Qashio said, “Qashio is privileged to be able to support the growing SME sector with Qashio Insurance, further simplifying otherwise complicated and lengthy processes. Qashio’s mission is to empower SMEs with a streamlined, cost-effective way to manage their health insurance needs. The platform that has taken close to a year to develop is a testament to our dedication to innovation and our unwavering support for SMEs as well as Enterprises”.
Also Read: How (And Why) To Start A Tech Business In Dubai
Luke Craven, CCO of YallaCompare, added, “The launch of Qashio Insurance represents a significant milestone in our journey to provide comprehensive, user-friendly, and efficient services. Our partnership with Qashio embodies the synergy of expertise and shared vision”.
The MENA health and medical insurance market is currently undergoing significant growth. Driven by an expanding population and demographic shifts, the UAE now has over 557,000 SMEs, all of which must provide health insurance to employees and their dependents.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
Hyper-Personalization: How Far Is Too Far?
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
