ammonnews.net

Ammon News -

E-payment transactions in Jordan increased during the first half of 2021 by 35%, compared to the same period last year, according to the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ)’s data.

Moreover, number of e-payment dealers also spiked up by about 50% during the January-June period, compared to last year, the CBJ's figures showed.

In his interview with "Petra," CEO of Network International, Amjad Sadeq, said payments were "very weak" due to the Covid-19 crisis and closures, but reopening sectors led to "a strong" e-payment demand, noting that the pandemic contributed to changing the citizens' consumer behavior and accepting e-payment tools.

Number of e-payment transactions have increased "significantly" after the Covid-19 pandemic, he said, adding that the drop in foreign travel rates contributed to this increase, in addition to changing the consumption pattern.

Sadeq, moreover, pointed to readiness of the Kingdom's e-payment system, led by the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ), which has "effectively" contributed to providing e-payment channels to the citizen and supporting the public departments that were unable to work by offering government e-wallets.
The CBJ and e-payment companies are cooperating round the clock remotely, he noted.

Sadeq called on the government to implement e-payment policy in its "holistic" form and to start with sectors of "high" readiness to accept this payment tool.

CBJ, he said, has set ceilings for e-payment fees, up to 1%or less, which is a "very acceptable rate" for the cost of transfers, calling on the government to find incentive programs for sectors to use e-payment.