UnionPay International announced today that it has attended product launch ceremonies with three major financial institutions in Sri Lanka, namely Hatton National Bank (hereinafter referred as HNB), Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon, with the banks enabling all of their ATMs and merchants to accept UnionPay. It is expected that the partnership with the 3 banks will ultimately optimize local UnionPay acceptance in Sri Lanka, meeting the payment needs of cardholders visiting the country. Mr. Shuan Ghaidan, Products Director of UnionPay International, attended the launching ceremonies.

Over the past few years, South Asia has been gaining popularity as a travel destination among more and more global tourists. UnionPay International is expanding its acceptance network in the region, offering safe and convenient payment services to the visiting tourists. Currently in Sri Lanka, UnionPay is accepted at 45% of ATMs for cash withdrawal, and UnionPay accepting merchants are mainly in the Western, Central & Southern Provinces. In Maldives, over 90% of merchants and ATMs accept UnionPay cards, covering resorts, restaurants and souvenir stores. In Nepal, UnionPay is accepted at most of the local ATMs, and the local UnionPay accepting merchants include department stores, restaurants and hotels frequently visited by tourists.

HNB is the largest merchant acquirer in Sri Lanka, and has enabled all its ATMs to accept UnionPay cards for cash withdrawal at the beginning of this month. It will further enable all merchants to accept UnionPay cards within this year. Sampath Bank and Commercial Bank of Ceylon are major acquirers in Sri Lanka, and have enabled their ATMs to accept UnionPay cards. This time, the banks have further expanded their cooperation with UnionPay International to merchant acquiring. In the future, UnionPay International will continue to seek opportunities to carry out cooperation with these institutions in the fields of online business and other possible opportunities.

Mr. Ghaidan said, “Sri Lanka is a crucial hub along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and has become an increasingly popular travel destination among Chinese outbound tourists in recent years. This year, we have continued to expand our acceptance network in Sri Lanka, offering our cardholders convenient and safe payment services. Next, we will seek opportunities to further collaborate with the local institutions to enhance our financial service capacity.”

Now, an increasing number of merchants in Sri Lanka are offering exclusive discounts and privileges to UnionPay cardholders. Cardholders spending with their UnionPay cards can now enjoy up to 20% discount from selected merchants ranging from hotels and resorts, restaurants and travel website.