KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 23): MasterCard has appointed Safdar Khan, who is currently country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, to lead its growing Islamic payments business in Southeast Asia with immediate effect.

In line with the appointment, Khan will also be promoted to the role of group country manager for Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

In a statement today, MasterCard said Khan will continue to be based in Kuala Lumpur, where he will focus on driving growth across the cluster as the countries increase their connectivity ahead of the establishment of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

Khan joined MasterCard in 2006 as South Asia, Middle East and Africa Global Account vice-president, where he was responsible for managing the relationship with key global clients.

Prior to his role as country manager for Malaysia and Brunei, he was area head for Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, and was instrumental in expanding MasterCard’s business in those countries.

Commenting on Khan's new position, MasterCard's Southeast Asia President Matthew Driver said Khan's expanded role will provide the leadership and direction to drive the uptake of the group's innovative and comprehensive syariah-compliant payments solutions across the region.

"There is a huge opportunity in the Muslim lifestyle segment in Southeast Asia and it is MasterCard’s commitment to ensure we offer safe, simple and smart payments solutions for this significant market,” he said.