Indian and Cambodian tourists may soon be able to pay via UPI and KHQR across both countries

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of India’s National Payments Corporation (NPCI), has signed a partnership with ACLEDA Bank Plc., Cambodia’s first publicly listed commercial bank, to enable cross-border QR code payments between India and Cambodia.

ACLEDA Bank, which operates Cambodia’s national QR network Bakong (KHQR), will work with NIPL to allow Indian travellers in Cambodia to make payments at over 4.5 million KHQR merchant touchpoints using UPI-enabled apps. Similarly, Cambodian travellers in India will be able to scan more than 709 million UPI QR codes to pay via their Cambodian payment apps.

The collaboration aims to offer secure, interoperable, and frictionless payments across retail outlets, restaurants, tourist attractions, and other merchant establishments in both countries. It is expected to benefit businesses by expanding digital payment options for consumers while enhancing convenience for travellers.

Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO of NPCI International, said the partnership strengthens digital payment corridors and allows consumers to use trusted and familiar payment options while travelling.

In Channy, President & Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank, said the agreement formalises the technical and operational framework to interconnect UPI and KHQR, supporting fast, affordable, and secure cross-border payments while fostering financial innovation and regional payment interoperability in line with ASEAN’s vision.

NIPL, incorporated in 2020, deploys India’s real-time payment system UPI and card scheme RuPay internationally, offering technological assistance, licensing, and consulting to other countries seeking to develop domestic payment systems.

ACLEDA Bank, with total assets of $11.94 billion and over 6.18 million customers, operates across Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, and serves over 5.35 million mobile app users through its ACLEDA Super App.