UnionPay International announced today its cooperation with Sri Lanka’s Hatton National Bank (hereinafter referred to as “HNB”) in launching UnionPay acceptance service. All the 7,000 or so POS terminals of the Bank will be enabled to accept UnionPay. By the end of this year, 30% of the local merchants will be able to accept UnionPay cards. UnionPay’s acceptance network will expand from shopping malls and brand stores to hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.

Sri Lanka is an important country along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. The implementation of the “One Belt and One Road” strategy has boosted the economic cooperation and personnel exchanges between Sri Lanka and China. China is now Sri Lanka’s second largest tourist source country, and the Sri Lankan government estimated that China will become the largest one in two years. In this context, more and more local merchants in Sri Lanka want to accept UnionPay cards to attract more customers.

Now, 30% of ATMs in Sri Lanka accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal and merchants accepting UnionPay are mainly located in Colombo, capital of Sri Lanka. HNB is one of the largest acquirers in Sri Lanka, with branches in all major cities and regions. The cooperation between UnionPay International and HNB will significantly expand UnionPay’s acceptance scope in more areas, covering more types of merchants. Next, HNB will enable its ATMs to accept UnionPay. 

As South Asia becomes an increasingly popular destination among global tourists, UnionPay International is improving the local UnionPay acceptance network and optimizing cardholders’ payment experience in the region. In Maldives, UnionPay cards are accepted by over 90% of merchants and ATMs, covering various islands, restaurants and souvenir shops. In Nepal, most of the local ATMs accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal and merchants accepting UnionPay cards are department stores, hotels and restaurants most frequented by tourists.