KUALA LUMPUR (April 8): Malaysians travelling to Cambodia can now pay local merchants by scanning KhmerQR with their mobile payment apps.

On April 8, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) launched the second phase of their cross-border QR payment linkage between Cambodia and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, during the Asean Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting.

This initiative supports the G20's efforts to improve cross-border payments and aligns with Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship priorities on "Inclusivity and Sustainability".

The first phase, launched in September 2022, allowed Cambodian users to make instant payments in Malaysia by scanning DuitNow QR codes. With over seven million merchants in both countries benefiting, travellers can now make seamless cross-border payments using their local mobile payment apps.

BNM Governor Datuk Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour emphasised the initiative's role in boosting regional financial integration and supporting small businesses in Asean by enabling instant cross-border payments. Future efforts will focus on expanding partnerships to create a more inclusive and secure payment network.

Meanwhile, NBC Governor Dr Chea Serey highlighted that this advancement not only streamlines cross-border transactions but also creates significant opportunities across multiple sectors.

It enhances tourism by allowing Malaysian travellers to make payments in Cambodia, fosters financial inclusion by connecting small and medium enterprises and individuals to a wider economic network, and strengthens regional integration in support of Asean’s vision for a digitally interconnected community.

Ultimately, it empowers even the smallest merchants in Cambodia and Malaysia to participate actively in the global digital economy, he added.

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Malaysia, Cambodia launch QR linkage for instant cross-border payments