People in Kyrgyzstan will be able to make payments via Alipay+ in dozens of countries without a Visa or Mastercard

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched international QR payments via the Alipay+ platform. Users of the “Elkart Mobile” app can now pay for purchases abroad using a QR code—without the need for international bank cards or third-party e-wallets.

The project was implemented by the Interbank Processing Center in collaboration with Alipay+ and with the support of the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan.

In the first phase, the service has already gone live in Kazakhstan and Malaysia. By June 15, China is scheduled to be connected to the system, and by the end of the month, another 57 countries will be added.

In essence, this involves connecting the Kyrgyz payment system to one of the largest international QR infrastructures. Alipay+ is used in many Asian countries and is gradually becoming a global platform for cross-border payments.

As stated by National Bank Chairman Almaz Baketaev, the launch of the service marks another step in the digitalization of Kyrgyzstan’s financial system and the integration of the national payment infrastructure into international payment networks.

Altymysh Turatbekov, head of the Interbank Processing Center, reported that work on the integration began in the fall of 2025 and was completed on a tight schedule. Users will not need to install additional apps—simply updating “Elkart Mobile” will automatically enable the new functionality.

Payments will be made in the currency of the host country, and the system will automatically convert the amount into KGS at the market exchange rate. No commission will be charged to users at the project’s launch.

The launch of the service is particularly important given Kyrgyzstan’s growing tourism and trade ties with China and other Asian countries. Authorities and market participants expect that direct QR payments will simplify transactions for both citizens abroad and businesses.

In addition, the integration with Alipay+ strengthens the position of the national “Elkart” system, which for a long time remained primarily a domestic payment tool. Now Kyrgyzstan is effectively beginning to bring its own payment infrastructure to the international level.