"The penetration rate for credit cards is certainly lower than cash at present, but it is steadily increasing. I can see over the last eight years there has been a visible shift from a cash economy towards an electronic economy," says Priyan L. Attygalle, CEO of American Express, Saudi Arabia.

"In the credit card industry, the way we deal with the customer base is very different because we are able to build long term relationships with the customers and service their needs as their requirements grow throughout their life cycle... Much of what we do and what we focus on is geared toward servicing an international brand locally."

Interview: http://www.marcopolis.net/amex-credit-cards-industry-steadily-growing.htm