BHIM UPI QR-based Payments Implemented in Bhutan

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the International arm of the National Payment Corporation of India and Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) of Bhutan have partnered for enabling and implementing BHIM UPI QR-based payments in Bhutan. The service will be formally launched by the Hon’ble Finance Minister of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on 13 July 2021 at a virtual ceremony in presence of Hon’ble Finance Minister of Bhutan, Lyonpo Namgay Tshering, Governor of Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Dasho Penjore, Secretary (Department of Financial Services) Shri Debasish Panda, Ambassador of Bhutan to India General V Namgyel, Ambassador of India to Bhutan, Ruchira Kamboj, MD & CEO of NPCI, Dilip Asbe and other distinguished guests. 

The launch of BHIM UPI in Bhutan will add a new milestone in financial integration between the two economies. The collaboration between NIPL and RMA will enable acceptance of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) powered BHIM App in Bhutan. RMA will ensure that the participating NPCI mobile application through UPI QR transactions is accepted at all RMA acquired merchants in Bhutan. The launch will benefit more than 200,000 tourists from India who travel to Bhutan each year. With this launch, Bhutan will become the first country to adopt Unified Payment Interface standards for its QR deployment. Bhutan will also become the only country to both issues & accept RuPay cards as well as accept BHIM UPI. Bhutan will be the first country to use UPI standards for QR code deployment, and the second country after Singapore to accept BHIM UPI at merchant sites.

Unified Payments Interface is an instant real-time payment system, allowing users to transfer money on a real-time basis, across multiple bank accounts without revealing details of one’s bank account to the other party. The simple, safe, cost-effective mobile-based payments system has become one of the most prominent forms of digital payments. In 2020, UPI enabled commerce worth 457 billion dollars, which is equivalent to approximately 15 per cent of India’s GDP. 

“Our vision has always been focused on taking our robust and popular payments solutions to global markets", said Ritesh Shukla, CEO, NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL). 

This strategic partnership with Bhutan in the area of digital payments will not only enhance the ease of transacting for Indian travellers to Bhutan but will also add value to the lives of customers in Bhutan.