Mastercard is changing the "rules of the game": what awaits Armenian cardholders in the coming years
18.11.2025,
15:30
The international payment system Mastercard is changing the "rules of the game" worldwide. David Zgudadze, Vice President and Regional Director of Mastercard for Georgia and Armenia, spoke about this in an exclusive interview with ARKA.
YEREVAN, November 18. /ARKA/. The international payment system Mastercard is changing the "rules of the game" worldwide. David Zgudadze, Vice President and Regional Director of Mastercard for Georgia and Armenia, spoke about this in an exclusive interview with ARKA news agency.
"We understand that each country has its own dynamics, and it's better to cooperate than to compete. Then we can focus on creating additional value, rather than thinking that everything depends only on us and there are no alternatives," Zgudadze said, explaining what he means by "rules of the game."
He also discussed the new infrastructure, partnership, and technology projects Mastercard is planning in Armenia in the next 1-2 years.
"Our primary focus is developing new products together with Armenian Card. Over the next few years, we'll likely introduce new technologies related to biometrics that reduce risks during transactions and purchases not only in physical spaces but also in e-commerce," said Zgudadze.
He also announced his intention to completely remove card data from the system within the next five years, so that people won't have to worry about their data being used for fraudulent purposes.
"We want to support tourist flows as much as possible, because we see great potential in this. We've launched a pilot project in Georgia and want to implement the same in Armenia. The idea is for tourists who come to Armenia and pay for purchases with Mastercard to receive certain benefits. The same is planned for Armenian Mastercard cardholders," Zgudadze said.
He also announced that Mastercard plans to introduce new innovations and technologies in Armenia as soon as the legislative framework is ready and the market is open to them.
"We understand that each country has its own dynamics, and it's better to cooperate than to compete. Then we can focus on creating additional value, rather than thinking that everything depends only on us and there are no alternatives," Zgudadze said, explaining what he means by "rules of the game."
He also discussed the new infrastructure, partnership, and technology projects Mastercard is planning in Armenia in the next 1-2 years.
"Our primary focus is developing new products together with Armenian Card. Over the next few years, we'll likely introduce new technologies related to biometrics that reduce risks during transactions and purchases not only in physical spaces but also in e-commerce," said Zgudadze.
He also announced his intention to completely remove card data from the system within the next five years, so that people won't have to worry about their data being used for fraudulent purposes.
"We want to support tourist flows as much as possible, because we see great potential in this. We've launched a pilot project in Georgia and want to implement the same in Armenia. The idea is for tourists who come to Armenia and pay for purchases with Mastercard to receive certain benefits. The same is planned for Armenian Mastercard cardholders," Zgudadze said.
He also announced that Mastercard plans to introduce new innovations and technologies in Armenia as soon as the legislative framework is ready and the market is open to them.
