New Delhi, June 04: India’s digital payments footprint has expanded further into Southeast Asia with the launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia through a strategic partnership between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and ACLEDA Bank Plc.
The launch marks a significant milestone in strengthening digital financial connectivity between India and Cambodia and is expected to make cross-border transactions easier for travellers, businesses, and merchants in both countries.
UPI Goes Live Through Cambodia’s KHQR Network
According to an official statement, the partnership became operational following a formal launch ceremony in Phnom Penh attended by senior officials from both countries, including Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia Chea Serey and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The rollout completes Phase 1 of a cross-border QR payment linkage between India and Cambodia using Bakong’s KHQR, Cambodia’s national QR code framework.
Under the first phase, Indian travellers visiting Cambodia can use their UPI-enabled applications to make seamless QR code payments across the country without the need for cash or currency exchange.
Access to More Than 4.5 Million Cambodian Merchants
The newly established payment corridor allows Indian visitors to make transactions at over 4.5 million merchant locations across Cambodia.
The initiative is expected to simplify spending for Indian tourists and business travellers by enabling payments through familiar digital platforms already widely used in India.
Users will be able to pay directly through supported UPI applications by scanning KHQR codes displayed at participating merchant outlets.
Two-Way Payment Corridor Planned in Next Phase
While the current phase focuses on enabling Indian travellers to use UPI in Cambodia, the partnership is designed to evolve into a fully interoperable two-way payment network.
In the next phase, Cambodian citizens travelling to India will be able to use their domestic banking and digital payment applications connected to the Bakong KHQR system to scan and pay at millions of UPI QR code locations across India.
The move will create a seamless bilateral payment ecosystem between the two countries, enhancing financial integration and digital commerce.
Benefits for Travellers and Businesses
The digital payment linkage is expected to provide several benefits for travellers, including:
- Eliminating the need for physical currency exchange
- Reducing dependence on cash transactions
- Lowering foreign exchange-related hassles
- Enabling secure and real-time digital payments
For Cambodian businesses, the initiative is expected to unlock access to a rapidly growing Indian traveller market, potentially increasing transaction volumes and boosting tourism-related spending.
Merchants are also expected to benefit from reduced cash handling costs, improved operational efficiency, and instant transaction settlements.
Cambodia Becomes Ninth Country to Accept UPI
With the launch in Cambodia, UPI’s international acceptance network continues to expand.
UPI is currently operational in the following countries:
- Singapore
- United Arab Emirates
- France
- Mauritius
- Nepal
- Bhutan
- Qatar
- Sri Lanka
Cambodia now becomes the ninth country where Indian travellers can use UPI for convenient and secure digital payments abroad.
Strengthening India’s Global Digital Payments Leadership
The Cambodia rollout reflects India’s broader strategy of expanding its digital public infrastructure globally. UPI has emerged as one of the world’s most successful real-time payment systems, processing billions of transactions each month and attracting growing international interest.
The partnership between NIPL and ACLEDA Bank is expected to further strengthen economic ties, tourism flows, and digital financial cooperation between India and Cambodia.
Key Highlights
- UPI officially launches in Cambodia through NIPL and ACLEDA Bank partnership.
- Indian travellers can make QR payments at over 4.5 million merchants.
- Integration completed through Cambodia’s Bakong KHQR system.
- Phase 2 will enable Cambodian users to make payments in India.
- Eliminates the need for cash exchange and simplifies travel payments.
- Cambodian businesses gain access to Indian tourist spending.
- Cambodia becomes the ninth country to accept UPI payments.
Related posts :
Google’s Gigawatt-Scale Data Centre Supports Viksit Bharat Vision: PM Modi
Airlines to Allow Free Ticket Changes and Cancellations Within 48 Hours
India, Mongolia to Deepen Strategic Partnership in Upcoming Talks
US Allows Iranian Oil Supply to Continue Amid Conflict: Scott Bessent
Trump to decide on Iran action in two weeks: White House
PM Modi launches projects worth Rs 7,200 crore, says Bihar’s growth vital for Viksit Bharat
