By dubailife 
Abu Dhabi-based retail leader LuLu Group International has launched the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) – India’s real-time payment system – across all its UAE stores.
In celebration of the 78th Indian Independence Day, A. Amarnath, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, carried out the first transaction at a LuLu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
Indian expats and visitors can now use their RuPay cards for payments at LuLu stores. By scanning the UPI QR code, they can make transactions through UPI-enabled apps like GPay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
“The introduction of this payment facility will significantly benefit the over 10 million Indians who visit the UAE each year, offering convenience and enhancing local trade and the economy,” said Saifee Rupawala, CEO of LuLu Group International.
UPI is an instant payment system that consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application from any participating bank. It integrates various banking features to enable seamless fund transfers, merchant payments, and more, all within one platform.
In February, President Sheikh Mohamed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly launched the UPI RuPay card service in Abu Dhabi. Since then, Dubai-based Mashreq Bank and Al Maya Supermarkets have also implemented UPI payment solutions.
### Week-Long India Festival
To commemorate Independence Day, LuLu Group has launched its annual ‘India Utsav’ festival at all its UAE stores. This week-long event features discounts on Indian products, traditional performances, and celebrity appearances.
During the festival’s inauguration, Amarnath emphasized that the event highlights the strong bilateral ties and the high demand for Indian products across the emirates.
“The festival invites everyone to explore unique and authentic Indian products, enjoy the rich flavors of Indian cuisine, and discover a diverse range of Indian ethnic styles,” he said.
The festival includes discounts on various Indian products, such as rice, traditional breakfast powders, cereals, spices, meats, ready-to-cook snacks, and groceries.
Source : Khaleejtimes