The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai has formally signed a Card Payment Facility Agreement with Emirates NBD on 22 October 2025 at the Consulate grounds, marking a historic milestone as the first Philippine foreign service post in the Middle East to implement an electronic funds transfer at point of sale (EFTPOS) card payment system.
Then Consul General Marford M. Angeles and Mr. Hamad Zayed, Group Head of Business Banking at Emirates NBD, signed the agreement. Mr. Shailender Kidambi, Head of Trade Finance and Cash Management, and Ms. Roshan Lean, Senior Relationship Manager at Emirates NBD accompanied Mr. Zayed. The signing ceremony took place at the Consulate grounds in Dubai.
Through this partnership, clients may now pay consular fees via debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, eliminating the need for cash transactions and significantly reducing processing time. The system enhances convenience, accuracy, and transparency, reflecting Dubai’s trusted digital ecosystem and the Consulate’s commitment to modern, citizen-focused service delivery.
The collaboration underscores the Consulate’s alignment with the Philippine government’s digital transformation and transparency agenda, setting a benchmark for efficiency and innovation among Philippine foreign service posts.
By adopting secure and seamless digital solutions, the Consulate reinforces its dedication to ensuring that every transaction is faster, safer and more convenient for the Filipino community in the UAE.
Consul General Angeles expressed appreciation to Emirates NBD for its strong support, noting that “this initiative represents a forward-looking partnership built on shared trust, innovation and public service excellence.”
The card payment facility was successfully launched on 19 November 2025.
