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Credit Libanais launches 'Mastercard Send' for the first time in Lebanon, as a part of the Mastercard Move; the international money transfer platform of Mastercard
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Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
The VinFast VF 6 Passes the Wife Test with Room to Spare
MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 20 June 2025 - Women usually play an important role in family car-buying decisions, and the VinFast VF 6, recently launched in the Philippines, meets the key priorities of many women buyers. The old stereotype paints a familiar picture: men kick tires, debate horsepower, and make the final call on family cars. Reality tells a different story. According to CDK Global, women influence 85% of all car purchases. This insight means that women play an important, sometimes deciding, role in buying a car. It's essential for automakers to understand what women actually look for in a vehicle. The way women make decisions The numbers reveal how women approach car buying. Women spend more time researching their options. On average, they take 75 days to make a decision, compared to 63 days for men. This suggests that they usually do more thorough research to build knowledge prior to the purchase. Their priorities are also different from men's when shopping for cars. An survey of over 500,000 car inquiries showed that women focus on price, affordability, and practical features, while performance specs and brand prestige rank lower. The cars men wanted cost three times more on average than what satisfied women buyers. This kind of thinking reflects the many roles women juggle every day: caregivers, professionals, and budget managers, often all at once. A MasterCard study across 16 Asian countries found women managing household finances in half the markets surveyed. In Indonesia and the Philippines, over 56% of women control domestic spending decisions. A more recent survey by Women's World Car of the Year gave a further breakdown. Safety ranks as the single most important feature women seek. Practicality, performance, and space tie for second place. But safety isn't just about crash ratings. Women want backup cameras, blind spot monitoring, and multiple airbags. They value high seating positions for better visibility. Storage pockets, cupholders, and intuitive technology matter for daily convenience. Many also weigh emissions and fuel efficiency, choosing greener options when the situation allows. VinFast VF 6 ticks all the boxes The VinFast VF 6, a compact SUV recently launched in the Philippines, happens to tick all the boxes that matter most to women car buyers. It's a fully electric SUV in the popular B-segment, combining safety, practicality, and smart technology in a package built for real-world use. In the Philippines, the VF 6 is available in two trims: Eco and Plus, with MSRPs of 1,419,000 PHP and 1,610,000 PHP respectively. The "Natural Opposites" design, created with Torino Design, balances function and form. But looks aren't the selling point. It's the way the VF 6 fits into everyday life. With a 2,730 mm wheelbase, the VF 6 remains compact enough for narrow city streets while offering interior space comparable to many larger gas-powered cars in the C-segment. Its 423-liter cargo capacity fits around 10 standard carry-on suitcases. Folding down the rear seats makes room for larger items such as bicycles or camping gear. Inside, the VF 6 features a 12.9-inch infotainment screen, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and an 8-way power driver's seat. Voice commands operate smoothly. Utility modes cater to daily needs, including Pet Mode, which keeps the cabin cool for animals when the driver steps away. The 360-degree camera view also makes parking in tight spots easier. For safety, the VF 6 includes up to 8 airbags and offers up to 19 advanced driver assistance features in the Plus version. These include blind spot detection, rear parking assist, and 360-degree camera views, making driving easier for newer drivers. The VF 6's practicality extends to finances. Owners get free charging at V-GREEN operated stations until May 1st, 2027, which eliminates fuel costs entirely. The 7-year warranty and 90% buyback guarantee provide long-term security. Range anxiety disappears with up to 480 kilometers per charge, handling both daily commutes and weekend trips without compromise. "Women hold up half the sky", so it's only natural that they should shape what families drive on the road. And the VF 6 happens to align perfectly with this shift toward practical buyers. In this era, automakers can't rely on dated assumptions. They need to meet people where they are, starting with the ones making the decisions. The VF 6 offers practical features, safety, and financial sense. That's what many buyers want, and that's how trust is earned. Hashtag: #VinFast The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. VinFast
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Mastercard and enza collaborate to enable fintech innovation across Africa
Dubai, UAE: Mastercard and enza – a payment solutions company – have collaborated to connect fintech companies across Africa to the Mastercard network. This collaboration will enable fintech players to build propositions on the enza platform that serve both consumers and businesses with embedded Mastercard payment solutions capabilities. According to a report by the European Investment Bank, the number of fintech companies in Africa has nearly tripled since 2020. Many of these innovators focus on embedding payment services into broader solutions that tackle financial access, offering alternatives to legacy systems that often have a high cost to serve. Fintech companies in Africa will now be able to easily access the full suite of Mastercard services. The collaboration aims to reduce complexity and speed up time to market for emerging players building digital financial solutions across the continent. 'At Mastercard, we are focused on powering the fintech ecosystem by enabling access to our trusted global network. Through our work with enza, fintech innovators in Africa will be able to deploy embedded payment capabilities more efficiently – helping accelerate financial inclusion and the region's digital transformation,' said Mete Guney, executive vice president, Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard. As part of the agreement, enza will host consumer and merchant accounts, manage integration with Mastercard's network, and ensure high levels of security and system availability. Fintech companies can configure pre-paid or post-paid accounts, and issue physical or virtual Mastercard cards. For businesses, enza will enable acceptance of Mastercard payments across in-store, online and in-app channels. 'enza is on a mission to make digital payments more accessible and affordable across Africa, helping to build a more financially inclusive continent that is ready and able to compete globally. Our collaboration with Mastercard leverages our existing relationship to more effectively serve the fintech community. Together, we will provide innovators with a platform capability that means they do not need to build this aspect of their proposition and can get to market with greater speed and security,' said Andrew Key, Executive Director, enza. Founded in 2023, enza is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with regional offices in Egypt, South Africa and Nigeria. The company's innovative payment infrastructure delivers the flexibility and agility needed to increase competitiveness, capitalize on new markets and develop new revenue streams through better serving consumer and business customers across Africa. About Mastercard Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Zawya
Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index reveals trends shaping the future of Halal travel
Dubai, UAE – As awareness of Muslim travelers' needs grows, Halal travel is increasingly shaping how destinations design and deliver experiences. According to the newly released 2025 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024 – up 25% from 2023 – and are projected to grow to 245 million by 2030. By then, total travel spending is expected to reach USD$230 billion, highlighting the growing influence and economic potential of this vibrant market. To stay competitive, travel and tourism stakeholders must adapt to the evolving needs of Muslim travelers, prioritizing purpose, inclusivity, and digital innovation. The 10th edition of the GMTI identifies the key trends and destination leaders shaping the future of Halal-friendly travel. Key Consumer Trends Impacting Halal Travel GMTI 2025 highlights five important trends shaping Muslim travel preferences today: Smart Apps for Halal Journeys: Muslim travelers are embracing digital tools that offer seamless access to faith-aligned services and personalized experiences. The Modern Female Muslim Traveler: Women are shaping the Halal travel sector in powerful ways, driving demand for safer, inclusive, and thoughtfully designed spaces. Muslim-friendly facilities: Destinations that offer alcohol-free environments, Halal-certified dining, prayer facilities, and gender-segregated pools and spas are becoming essential. Solo Travel Surge: Younger Muslim travelers are embracing solo adventures, favoring autonomy and personalized itineraries. Digital Detox Retreats: Inspired by Islamic values of mindfulness and balance, many travelers are seeking tech-free escapes rooted in nature and spirituality. Destinations Leading the Way in Muslim-Friendly Travel The GMTI 2025 highlights leading destinations around the world that are setting benchmarks in Muslim-friendly travel. Among OIC destinations, Malaysia retains the top spot, recognized for its accessible Halal-friendly services and infrastructure. Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) share the second spot, each offering a strong combination of cultural heritage, modern amenities, and dedicated efforts to enhance the Muslim travel experience. Indonesia also ranks highly, supported by its rich cultural appeal. Other notable destinations in the Gulf region include Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait, all of which continue to strengthen their offerings for Muslim travelers. Among non-OIC destinations, Singapore remains the leader – recognized for its emphasis on inclusivity and cultural sensitivity. Thailand and the Philippines are steadily emerging as rising Muslim-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia. Thailand offers warm hospitality and a growing range of Halal-certified services, while the Philippines is enhancing its capacity to serve Muslim travelers through better Halal food access and Muslim-friendly features at key tourist sites. In addition, Hong Kong has emerged as standout non-OIC destination, ranking third in the GMTI 2025. The city has invested significantly in Muslim-friendly infrastructure, with 61 hotels accredited by CrescentRating and 153 restaurants Halal-certified by the Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. Hong Kong also received the Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year award, part of the Global Muslim Travel Index Awards. Taiwan has also continuously positioned itself as a Muslim-friendly destination, offering a welcoming environment that respects cultural and religious diversity. Over 230 restaurants and hotels have been Halal-certified by the Chinese Muslim Association, many of which include separate kitchens to meet dietary requirements. With the global Muslim travel market entering a dynamic new growth phase, GMTI 2025 serves as a timely guide for stakeholders looking to tap into this fast-evolving landscape. Download the full GMTI 2025 report here: About CrescentRating CrescentRating is the leading authority on Halal travel and tourism. The company uses insights, industry intelligence, lifestyle, behavior and research on the needs of the Muslim traveler to deliver authoritative guidance on all aspects of Halal travel to organizations across the globe. Founded in 2008, CrescentRating services are used by every tier of the tourism industry, from government bodies and tourism agencies to hospitality service providers, to better serve the needs of the Muslim traveler. CrescentRating's products and services include rating & accreditation, research & consultancy, training, & certification (CR Academy), industry reports, Halal-In-Travel conferences, HalalChefWorld program, destination marketing and content provisioning. HalalTrip is a sister brand of CrescentRating. Website: Facebook: Twitter: LinkedIn: About Mastercard (NYSE: MA), Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential. Appendix – 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index Rankings and Awards GMTI 2025 Rank Top 10 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Destinations GMTI 2025 Rank Top 10 Non-OIC Destinations 1 Malaysia 1 Singapore 2 Türkiye 2 United Kingdom 2 Saudi Arabia 3 Hong Kong* 2 United Arab Emirates 4 Taiwan 5 Indonesia 5 Thailand 5 Qatar 6 Ireland 7 Oman 6 Australia 7 Kuwait 8 Philippines 9 Jordan 9 Spain 9 Iran 9 Germany *Hong Kong received the Most Promising Muslim Friendly Destination of the Year, having improved their GMTI score by 10 points – the biggest jump among non-OIC destinations.
