THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JUNE 3, 2026

In a significant milestone for India's rapidly expanding digital payments ecosystem, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with ACLEDA Bank Plc. to launch Unified Payments Interface (UPI) acceptance in Cambodia through KHQR, the country's national QR code system.

The landmark initiative was formally launched in Phnom Penh in the presence of H.E. Dr. Chea Serey, Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), and senior representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The launch marks the successful completion of Phase 1 of a cross-border QR payment linkage between India and Cambodia, built on Bakong's KHQR infrastructure.

With the rollout now live, millions of Indian travellers visiting Cambodia can make seamless digital payments by scanning KHQR codes at more than 4.5 million merchant locations across the country using familiar UPI-enabled applications. The development represents a major leap in cross-border payment interoperability and strengthens economic and technological ties between the two nations.

The partnership is designed to evolve into a fully interoperable two-way payment corridor. While the first phase focuses on enabling Indian travellers to make payments in Cambodia, the next phase will allow Cambodian citizens travelling to India to use their domestic banking and digital payment applications to scan and pay through millions of UPI QR codes across India. This will establish one of the most advanced bilateral digital payment networks in the region.

The initiative is expected to significantly enhance travel convenience by eliminating the need for currency exchange, reducing dependence on cash, and helping travellers avoid unfamiliar foreign exchange charges. For Cambodian merchants, the integration opens access to a vast and digitally savvy Indian tourist market, creating opportunities for increased business and higher transaction volumes.

The digital corridor is also set to improve operational efficiency for businesses by streamlining cash management, lowering costs associated with handling physical currency, and enabling secure real-time settlement of transactions.

The Cambodia launch further strengthens UPI's growing global footprint. Prior to this development, UPI acceptance had been established in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Bhutan, Qatar and Sri Lanka. With Cambodia becoming the ninth country to join the network, India's flagship digital payment platform continues to emerge as a global model for fast, secure and interoperable digital transactions.

Industry observers view the India-Cambodia payment linkage as another step towards creating a connected digital economy across borders, reinforcing India's position as a leader in financial technology innovation and digital public infrastructure.