DIGIDOE, the UK-based fintech start-up which aims to revolutionise the world’s payments infrastructure, is expanding into the Middle East with the appointment of a leading figure in the region to lead its operations in Qatar.
Tony Hajjar, who was previously Advisor to the Head of Procurement at AL Khaliji Bank (Doha-Qatar), has been appointed as DigiDoe’s Head of Operations in Doha. Hajjar has more than 20 years experience in project management and business development.
It comes as DigiDoe puts the world’s central and commercial banks firmly in its sights, having received crucial international security certification for its innovative proprietary anti-money laundering (AML) and fraud prevention solution.
Hajjar, a highly respected and influential figure in the Gulf state, oversaw and managed the acquisition and re-development of a USD$400m property portfolio in New York, London, Paris, and Doha at EZDAN Holding Group, with whom he also acted as an Advisor to the Chairman.
Tony Hajjar, DigiDoe’s Head of Operations, Qatar, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the company at such an exciting stage in DigiDoe’s journey, particularly as we turn our attention to international central and commercial banks.
“DigiDoe has created a pioneering, next generation, all-in-one unique solution, which can now offer its fully integrated innovative proprietary technology to forward-thinking banks here in the Middle East. I believe that we have the answer to the question many central and commercial banks have been asking - how do we offer a world-beating payments system fit for the next century?
“If banks in Qatar want to be leading the way, at the forefront of the world’s new, faster, safer payments infrastructure, they should get in touch.”
Pavel Guzminov, founder and CEO of DigiDoe, said: “Tony Hajjar is a well-known, well liked and respected individual in Qatar, and we are privileged to have him on board. He’s highly experienced, with strong connections and networks in the Middle East.
“Tony will enhance our presence in Qatar, building key business relationships, strengthening our co-operation with the local regulator and engaging directly with banks.
“The time is right for a major digital transformation of the payments infrastructure across the region and if the opportunity is seized, Qatar can be seen as a trail-blazer for the rest of the world.”
Designed from scratch, DigiDoe’s efficient payments system reduces fraud, cuts fees and costs for merchants and enables low cost, hassle-free payments. DigiDoe also recently unveiled its super-fast ‘Banking as a Service’ (BaaS) solution.
The new BaaS service utilises DigiDoe’s patented technology and comes with embedded proprietary anti-money laundering (AML) & fraud prevention systems. It offers onboarding of business and corporate clients, transaction monitoring, as well as domestic and cross-border payments in multiple currencies via a single API.
Global sales of BaaS solutions are expected to reach USD$3 billion in 2022 with growth up to $12.2 billion by 2031.
The London-based company is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an electronic money institution and last month was awarded ISO27001 Certification - recognised worldwide as confirmation of information security best practice.
