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Botim Launches MENA’s First-Ever “Send Now, Pay Later” Service
The new feature offered via the Botim Ultra App allows users to make instant transfers internationally while deferring payments.
Abu Dhabi-based tech group Astra Tech has launched a first-of-its-kind “Send Now, Pay Later” (SNPL) service in the UAE via its Botim Ultra App. The new feature lets users instantly send funds internationally while deferring payments, making Botim the first fintech provider in the MENA region to offer this kind of solution.
Astra Tech’s fintech ecosystem has seen a huge increase in transaction volumes quarter-on-quarter, and the new SNPL feature follows the success of the company’s expanded remittance services in 2023.
Expatriates form a significant portion of the UAE’s workforce. SNPL offers these residents, in particular, enhanced financial flexibility to send money overseas and pay later in manageable installments. In the first five months of 2023 alone, Dh6.74 trillion was processed by Botim in remittances from the UAE, highlighting the importance of the service.
Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, commented: “The launch of ‘Send Now, Pay Later’ marks a pivotal moment for Botim and Astra Tech. By leveraging advanced credit infrastructure, we’re offering users a faster, more accessible way to send remittances. This service gives millions of users the flexibility to manage their financial obligations more effectively while continuing to support their families abroad.”
Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East
The launch of Botim Ultra’s SNPL service aligns with Astra Tech’s mission to expand financial inclusion across the MENA region. The fintech startup has already acquired a Finance Company License through Quantix, a financial service provider licensed by the Central Bank of the UAE. Quantix provides various credit solutions, including SNPL and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL).
Ahead of the official rollout of SNPL services, Botim will open pre-registration to its more than 9 million users, allowing early adopters to benefit from instant remittance transfers with flexible payment terms.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.