UPI Expands To Cambodia, Enables QR Payments For Indian Travellers

India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continues to expand its presence across international markets. The payment system has now been enabled in Cambodia, allowing Indian travellers to make QR-based payments during their visit to the south-east Asian nation.

The facility has been introduced through a partnership between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) International Payments (NIPL) and ACLEDA Bank, and has been integrated with Cambodia’s national QR code system, KHQR.

The launch was announced in Phnom Penh at an event attended by Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The rollout marks the first phase of a cross-border QR payment connection between India and Cambodia.

With this step, Indian users can scan KHQR codes at participating merchant locations in Cambodia and make payments using UPI-enabled apps. The service is available across different categories of outlets, including restaurants, retail stores, and tourist spots.

According to a press release by NPCI, the system covers more than 4.50 million merchant locations in Cambodia. It enables digital payments through QR codes, which reduces the need for cash or other payment methods for travellers.

In the next phase, Cambodian users can expect to make payments in India using their banking or payment apps at UPI-enabled merchant outlets, thereby enabling a two-way payment link between both countries.

This move is intended to improve interoperability between payment systems and make cross-border payments smoother for users. It also supports the broader shift towards digital payments in international travel and commerce.

Ritesh Shukla, managing director (MD) and CEO, NPCI International, said, “At NPCI International, our aim is to extend India’s digital payment innovations to global markets through trusted partnerships. Enabling UPI acceptance in Cambodia marks a significant milestone in this journey.” He added that the development will help Indian travellers enjoy a familiar, secure and seamless payment experience abroad, while Cambodian merchants will gain access to millions of digital-first consumers.

In Channy, president and group managing director, ACLEDA Bank said: “ACLEDA Bank is proud to launch Phase 1 of our cross-border interoperability initiative, enabling Indian travellers to execute secure digital transactions via UPI-enabled applications across our extensive KHQR merchant network.”

UPI is already accepted in several countries, including Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Qatar, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the UAE, and has now been extended to Cambodia as well.