• Home
• /
• KT Network

United Arab Bank goes live with Buna platform

The new initiative will assist the bank's retail and corporate clients to send and receive cross-border multi-currency payments in a safe, cost-effective and transparent way.

United Arab Bank (UAB) recently announced the launch of cross-border multi-currency settlement service through BUNA payment platform. Incorporated in the UAE and operated by the Arab Regional Payments, Clearing and Settlement Organisation, a subsidiary of the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Buna offers its participant members modern payments solutions that comply with international requirements against financial crime and adhere to the highest standards of information security and data protection.

The Buna platform is the first Arab regional payment system that allows the use of Arab currencies as settlement currencies alongside other international currencies, and the platform provides UAB with modern payment solutions that comply with international standards and principles and international compliance requirements.

Commenting on the initiative, Shirish Bhide, CEO at UAB, said: “We are excited to partner with AMF to provide innovative digital payment solutions for our consumers and corporate clients. This strategic collaboration is in line with UAB’s mission to play a pivotal role in supporting the growth of trade and investments in the Arab region as it opens up opportunities for our clients to cooperate more dynamically with their partners at the regional and international level, by providing real-time payment solutions. Furthermore, it facilitates the process of cross-border transactions and develops trade and financial exchanges in the Arab region.”

“I would like to thank the respective teams at the AMF and the Central Bank of the UAE for their tireless work to support the adoption of Buna and enhance cross border payments in the region," Bhide added.

Mehdi Manaa, CEO at Buna, said: “We value the presence of UAB for enriching the network of participants in Buna and we congratulate them for this achievement. As a participant in Buna, UAB will not only benefit from efficient and modern cross-border payment solutions in multi-currency while on the other hand it contributes to Buna's mission to unlock all the opportunities for greater economic integration within the Arab region with it’s major trade partners. I would also like to thank the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates for its continuous support to Buna."

Operating to global compliance standards, Buna will be transparent, low-cost, and affordable, offering a single-entry point to dynamic markets, with real-time settlement, 24/7 payment submission and multi-currency support.