So UPI has now officially reached Cambodia . This is actually pretty big news for anyone who loves to travel from India.
And it happened on June 2,when NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL),which is NPCI's global wing,announced launch . They've partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc. to make this happen,using Cambodia’s own KHQR code system.
What this means is,if you're an Indian tourist in Cambodia,you can just use your regular UPI app to pay for things . At over 4.5 million shops,restaurants,and tourist spots all over the country. No more struggling with currency exchange for small payments ah .
And honestly,this is where things get super convenient for travelers.
The official launch happened in a ceremony in Phnom Penh,and big names were there like Dr. Chea Serey,the Governor of Cambodia's National Bank,plus people from Reserve Bank of India. So this is a proper,serious collaboration.
Few things to know about this move:
- This is phase one,letting Indian travelers make UPI payments across Cambodia .
- Phase two is coming soon,which will let Cambodian visitors pay using UPI in India .
- The whole idea is to make transactions smooth and help boost tourism between both countries.
But it's not a one-way thing only . The next phase will allow Cambodian tourists to use their own banking apps to pay at UPI QR codes here in India . This will create a proper two-way payment system,which is great for business and tourism ties.
Ritesh Shukla,the head of NPCI International,said this is a big step for taking India's digital payment system global . His quote was something like, “It ensures Indian travelers get a familiar and seamless payment experience abroad,while Cambodian merchants gain access to millions of digital-first consumers.” Makes total sense.
And Dr. In Channy from ACLEDA Bank also pointed out how this helps Cambodia’s own digital growth and cuts down on forex issues for tourists . So it's a win-win for everyone .
This whole digital payment thing is changing how we travel completely . The idea of not needing to carry a lot of foreign currency or worry about card charges feels so different…
