AKP Phnom Penh, July 04, 2025 --

The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and the Payments Japan Association (PJA) organised an official launching ceremony for cross-border payments via QR Code on "Cross-Border QR Payment Cooperation between Cambodia (KHQR) and Japan (JPQR) for Phase 1: Cambodia scans Japan via ACLEDA Super App,” at the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

The ceremony was held under the presidency of NBC Governor H.E. Dr. Chea Serey and Mr. Ezawa Masana, Deputy Director-General, Commerce and Service Industry Policy Group, METI.

ACLEDA Bank stated in a press release issued on July 4 that it is delighted that the NBC has appointed ACLEDA Bank Plc. as a sponsoring bank for cross-border QR Code payment with Japan, which has been initiated by NBC and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan (METI).

The companies participating in this service project include: ACLEDA Bank serves as the sponsoring bank for Cambodia in integrating cross-border banking system and providing payment services, dispute resolution, and technical support.

Netstars Co., Ltd. is responsible for providing international payment technology and networks, ensuring stable system connectivity and supporting dispute resolution and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) serves as the settlement bank for operations in Japan.

This initiative will support and promote digital payments, enhancing transaction security and facilitating seamless cross-border payments, thereby stimulating tourism, reducing cash usages and saves time during visits to either country.

Meanwhile, local businesses, regardless of their size, will benefit from the ability to accept cross-border QR code payments through KHQR in Cambodia or JPQR in Japan as it provides diverse payment options for residents of both nations.

In addition, this capability will allow businesses to manage their operations more securely and conveniently in real-time, while also being cost-effective.

This initiative is anticipated to bolster trade, investment, and particularly tourism, fostering economic growth in both countries.

Dr. In Channy, President & Group Managing Director of ACLEDA Bank, said that after successfully launching cross-border QR payment between Cambodia with Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, ACLEDA Bank has further expanded its mission of the cross-border QR payment to Japan.

In the near future, ACLEDA Bank plans to further expand the scope of cross-border QR payments with Singapore, India and some other countries in the region, he said.

The collaboration for cross-border payments using QR Codes between Cambodia (KHQR) and Japan (JPQR) is structured in two phases. In Phase 1, Cambodian users of the Bakong system can make payments in Japan by scanning JPQR. Phase 2 will enable Japanese users to pay in Cambodia by scanning KHQR.

He further said that through this cooperation, ACLEDA Bank will collaborate closely with both public and private sector partners, as well as relevant institutions in both countries, to ensure the successful implementation of the cross-border QR code payment interoperability between KHQR and JPQR.

By Chea Vannak