TASHKENT, Uzbekistan,
August 24. The central banks of Uzbekistan and
Azerbaijan are discussing the integration of their payment systems,
while payment companies from the two countries are already holding
talks on practical cooperation.
This was stated by Timur Ishmetov, Governor of the Central Bank
of Uzbekistan, in response to a question from Trend’s special correspondent
during a press briefing held as part of the Silk Road Finance &
Technology Forum.
According to Ishmetov, the central banks of the two countries
are already cooperating through various platforms and have several
areas of interaction.
“We are already in practical talks with the Central Bank of
Azerbaijan, for example, on integrating our payment systems. A
couple of our payment companies are also already in talks with
companies in Azerbaijan on integration,” Ishmetov said.
He noted that he expects practical results from this cooperation
in the near future.
According to the Central Bank chairman, cooperation in financial
technology can help create a larger regional market for businesses,
particularly startups and fintech companies.
“There is an area, especially financial technology, where
cooperation is a win-win strategy for everybody. Instead of each
country focusing on its own market, we can cooperate and open up
the markets for all our businesses, especially startups, fintechs
and technology companies,” he said.
Ishmetov emphasized that cooperation between the two countries
would allow them to exchange experience and create broader
opportunities for the development of financial technologies across
the region.
