UnionPay announces plans to launch UnionPay cards for first time in Sri Lanka

UnionPay International (UPI) continues its expansion in Sri Lanka with the announcement of issuing UnionPay debit and credit cards in the near future. These cards can be used in the UnionPay global acceptance network covering 170 countries and regions across the globe, including 51 million merchants and 2.8 million ATMs worldwide. The new UnionPay cards will have a range of cardholder benefits including worldwide merchant offers, airport lounge access services and many more exclusive privileges. 

UnionPay is the world’s largest bankcard association in terms of cards issued, according to the Nielson Report (Issue 1130). With more than seven billion cards issued in 49 countries and regions worldwide, UnionPay is offering safe and smooth payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base. 

In recent years, the exchanges between Sri Lanka and China in fields of tourism and infrastructure construction have become increasingly close. An increasing number of Chinese enterprises and people visit Sri Lanka, while the Sri Lankan residents have stronger payment needs in China, South and South East Asia and other regions worldwide. 

Now, UnionPay International (UPI) is planning to issue cards with local institutions, offering its quality payment service to local residents in Sri Lanka. In the first phase, UnionPay is targeting Sri Lanka’s outbound travellers. UnionPay card allows one-time or regular travellers to enjoy the convenience of card payments in hotels, restaurants, ATMs, shopping places and gift shops and the cultural attractions places worldwide where UnionPay card is accepted. Especially to people who are travelling to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan and other Asia and Asia Pacific countries and regions, UnionPay card will be an ideal option to fulfil their payment needs.

In addition to payment ease, cardholders are also able to enjoy various benefits offered by UnionPay. The upcoming local UnionPay card will have a number of value-added benefits for travellers including favourable exchange rates, lounge access, airport duty free offers at more than 100+ international airports, discount offers from more than 20,000 worldwide merchants, concierge services and medical assistance, etc.

Besides issuing cards locally, UPI is also cooperating with local institutions to introduce UnionPay innovative payment products such as contactless payment (QuickPass) and QR code payment, offering even more diverse and flexible payment services to the local customers, and also enhance local institutions’ financial service capacity by leveraging UnionPay’s advantages in payment innovation.

UPI launched its contactless product ‘QuickPass’ in August 2018 with one of its members. This convenient payment method is currently been rolled out at key and potential merchant outlets. With the success of the QuickPass rollout, there are many members who would add this product to their portfolio and offer merchants a seamless payment method. 

The latest payment technology ‘QR Code’ will be launched in the market in the near future. The UnionPay QR Code specifications are compatible with the EMVCo specifications and it will offer members in Sri Lanka to adopt safer and internationally interoperable UnionPay standard in acceptance and issuance of QR code payments. 

UnionPay International has unremittingly optimised its global card-using privilege system, cooperating with online and offline merchants, global shopping groups, chain duty-free stores, cruises, airlines, hotel groups and car rental companies to provide more abundant and colourful privileges and services. Since 2014, UPI launched three global fiestas featuring world-famous airports, business districts and travel destinations to provide abundant card-using benefits.

Currently, many numbers of Airport Duty Free merchants in Sri Lanka are offering exclusive discounts and privileges to UnionPay cardholders. For example, UnionPay cardholders can enjoy up to 25% off at the selected Bandaranaike International Airport duty free outlets ranging from duty free store, gem and jewellery stores, tea shops and souvenir boutiques shops. Further exclusive privileges and value-added services are offered UnionPay cardholders at international airports across about 30 countries and regions until the end of next February. 

With the continuous expansion of the UnionPay acceptance network, more and more merchants in fields of catering, entertainment, accommodation, and transportation are participating in the UnionPay promotion campaigns, bringing a more convenient payment experience to free-and-independent tourists.