Meta has introduced QR code payments in the WhatsApp Business app, as it seeks to enable small and micro businesses to accept payments easily within the platform.

The social media giant said that the new feature, which is currently available in India, allows small businesses to share QR codes with a single tap to quickly close sales, allowing customers to pay directly within WhatsApp using their preferred payment method.

The new feature was unveiled on Friday at Meta's business summit in Mumbai, India, where the company presented tools and features aimed at enabling businesses of all sizes to boost customer experience and drive overall growth.

Other features presented during the event include a new function that allows users to call larger companies directly from the app with a single tap or to receive calls from companies they have requested to contact.

The call feature is particularly useful in cases where users have a complex request and need to speak to a customer service representative, Meta said.

The feature is available to all businesses on the Indian WhatsApp Business platform. The firm added it will soon be possible to send and receive voice messages for further assistance or make video calls – a feature which can be useful for a range of services such as telemedicine appointments.

During the event, Meta also unveiled a feature for Indian businesses that will help them create and manage their marketing strategy across WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram, all within advertising platform Ads Manager, allowing businesses to use the same creative content, setup flows and budgets in one central location.

Meta cited research from Kantar which found that messaging has become an integral part of how people and businesses interact in India, with 91 per cent of online adults in India chatting with businesses every week.

At the event, Arun Srinivas, managing director and country head of Meta in India, highlighted how businesses of all sizes leverage WhatsApp every day in the region/.

“With our latest tools and features, we are confident that businesses will unlock stronger ROI, build deeper and more personal connections with customers, and scale successfully,” he said.

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