New Delhi: In a significant boost to cross-border digital payments, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has officially launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia. The service, rolled out in partnership with ACLEDA Bank Plc., enables Indian travellers to make seamless QR-based payments using the country's national QR code system, KHQR .
The launch was formally inaugurated at a ceremony in Phnom Penh, attended by National Bank of Cambodia Governor Chea Serey and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India .
Phase 1: Payments Across 4.5 Million Merchants
Under the first phase of this bilateral payment linkage, Indian tourists can now use their existing UPI-enabled apps to scan Bakong's KHQR codes. This facility is available at more than 4.5 million merchant outlets across Cambodia, including retail stores, restaurants, and popular tourist destinations .
The integration allows users to pay directly in the local currency without the hassle of exchanging cash, offering a secure and familiar transaction experience for Indian visitors .
Phase 2: Two-Way Corridor
The second phase will enable Cambodian nationals visiting India to make payments at millions of UPI QR-enabled merchant locations using their domestic Cambodian banking or payment apps. Once completed, this will establish a fully interoperable digital payment corridor between the two nations, strengthening tourism and commercial ties .
Industry Reactions
Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, stated, "Enabling UPI acceptance in Cambodia ensures that Indian travellers enjoy a familiar, secure and seamless payment experience abroad, while Cambodian merchants gain access to millions of digital-first consumers" .
Dr. In Channy, President of ACLEDA Bank Plc., added that the partnership helps "remove transaction-related friction and foreign exchange volatility for travellers while providing local merchants access to a large digital consumer market"
