Mastercard with STZA building nation's first cashless zone.

Mastercard has signed a strategic digital country partnership with the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) in Pakistan to expand the nation's digital economy and advance Pakistan's technology sector. The MOU was signed in the United Arab Emirates in line with the start of Expo 2020 Dubai, where Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan, met with Khalid Elgibali, Division President for the Middle East and North Africa at Mastercard, and a delegation from STZA and Mastercard.

In collaboration with the STZA, Mastercard will develop Pakistan's first cashless Special Technology Zone and deploy smart city solutions, support small and medium enterprises, boost artificial intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities, and promote the use of agritech.

The STZA has been created by the Federal Government of Pakistan, setting out to provide a world-class digital and physical infrastructure through the development of Special Technology Zones (STZs) across the country. It is a national strategy that aims to place Pakistan on the global technology map.

"As a fundamental enabler of inclusive economic growth, the Special Technology Zones Authority is charged with delivering on key strategic goals of inclusive socio-economic development and economic opportunity, particularly for our youth. Having signed a digital country partnership with Pakistan, Mastercard will now play an important role in developing our country's first cash-free zone and in contributing to Pakistan's technology sector," said Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan.

"Partnering with Pakistan's Special Technology Zones Authority allows us to join forces with its leadership to...