BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 31. Uzbekistan’s
Central Bank and Chinese technology company Tencent discussed plans
to integrate Uzbekistan’s Unified QR payment system with
international payment ecosystems, potentially expanding
cross-border cashless payment options for consumers and
visitors.
This was reflected in the statement by the Central Bank of
Uzbekistan, following discussions within the framework of the 2026
“Silk Road: Finance and Technology” Forum.
The meeting focused on opportunities to connect Uzbekistan’s
Unified QR payment system with foreign payment networks and make
digital payment services more convenient for Uzbek citizens and
international visitors.
Under the potential integration, foreign visitors to Uzbekistan
could use their existing payment applications to make cashless
payments by scanning QR codes, while Uzbek citizens could gain
broader access to QR-based payment services when traveling
abroad.
The Central Bank and Tencent agreed to draw on the Chinese
company’s experience in integrating national QR payment
infrastructures with international payment ecosystems, according to
the statement.
Moreover, the sides agreed to hold a series of technical
meetings to determine the requirements for integration, coordinate
further steps and develop a clear roadmap for cooperation.
The initiative could strengthen the interoperability of
Uzbekistan’s domestic payment infrastructure with international
digital payment systems, potentially supporting tourism, trade and
broader financial connectivity.
For Uzbekistan, expanding cross-border QR payments would also
complement the country’s broader shift toward cashless transactions
and digital financial services, while giving local consumers and
businesses greater access to international payment ecosystems.
The planned technical discussions are expected to determine the
practical framework and timeline for advancing cooperation between
the Central Bank and Tencent.
