India’s digital payment revolution has crossed another international border. In a major boost to cross-border financial connectivity, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has officially launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia.
Partnering with Cambodia’s ACLEDA Bank Plc., this new initiative connects India’s UPI with Bakong’s KHQR, the national QR code network of Cambodia. The formal launch ceremony took place in Phnom Penh, attended by National Bank of Cambodia Governor Chea Serey and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Seamless Scanning for Indian Tourists
With the completion of this first phase, Indian travelers visiting Cambodia no longer need to worry about exchanging physical currency or dealing with foreign exchange volatility. Tourists can now open their favorite UPI-enabled apps on their smartphones and instantly make payments by scanning KHQR codes.
The service is active at more than 4.5 million merchant locations across the country, covering major tourist attractions, retail stores, local markets, and popular restaurants. This integration ensures that traveling abroad feels just as familiar and secure as shopping at a local neighborhood store in India.
A Two-Way Digital Corridor in the Making
This launch is part of a larger plan to build a fully integrated, bilateral economic corridor. According to the project roadmap, the upcoming second phase will allow Cambodian visitors to scan UPI QR codes in India using their native Cambodian banking and payment applications.
This network-to-network setup aims to drive financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and support businesses in both nations. Cambodian shopkeepers gain friction-free access to millions of digital-first Indian consumers, while also benefiting from automated cash management and lower operational risks.
Expanding India’s Tech on the Global Stage
Ritesh Shukla, MD and CEO of NPCI International, emphasized that extending India’s digital payment innovations to global markets through trusted partnerships is a core mission. He noted that the collaboration lays solid groundwork for much deeper tourism and commercial engagement between the two nations.
Echoing this enthusiasm, Dr. In Channy, President and Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank Plc., highlighted that the integration removes transaction-related friction for travelers while driving the digital transformation of the region. By utilizing robust and scalable technology, both countries are setting a strong benchmark for international digital infrastructure.
