American Express Middle East (AEME) recently announced an agreement with BankMuscat that facilitates the use of their point-of-sale machines, as well as the opening of their new representative office—Zubair Travel and Service Bureau—in Al-Khuwair.
The Agreement with BankMuscat will allow American Express to make use of over 300 point-of-sale machines presently in the market and the addition of another 500 terminals to be deployed by June 2002.
“Under the auspices of Zubair Travel and Service Bureau, we are looking to further invest and grow in Oman and are working on recruiting more staff as part of our efforts of strengthening and expanding our operations here,” said Peter Dean, American Express Middle East and North Africa (MENA) general manager.
The representative office will offer customers financial products from the American Express range, outbound travel facilities from Zubair Travel, inbound tours with Zubair Tours, motor and general insurance from Norwich Union, car rental from Avis as well as DHL courier services. “One of the main reasons for our move was to be more visible in an area well-known for its travel services,” said Dean.
American Express has had a presence in the Middle East since 1959. It was in 1982 that they signed a travel representative agreement with Zubair Travel and Service Bureau to ensure that visiting American Express customers receive the same levels of service away from home.
Last year, American Express has witnessed a growth of more than 50 percent of outlet establishments—retail, restaurants, automotive or airlines—who now accept its card in the MENA region.
American Express Middle East (AEME) is a joint venture company owned by Mawarid Investment Limited and American Express. Operating in 19 markets, AEME issues dollar currency credit and charge cards—personal (green), gold, platinum—as well as company and corporate cards. AEME now also issues Dirham currency credit cards specifically to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
