With the launch of international digital payment systems in the country, new conveniences are expected to be provided for users of national payment systems as well.
The international payment service Apple Pay has been officially launched in Uzbekistan, and the ability to connect local Uzcard and Humo cards to this service will be provided soon. This was announced by the Central Bank's press service.
Following the launch ceremony held on October 27, users were given the opportunity to add their bank cards to the Apple Wallet app and make payments via iPhone, Apple Watch, and other compatible devices.
In the initial stage, the following bank cards can be connected to Apple Pay:
— National Bank of Uzbekistan — Visa and Mastercard;
— Ipak Yuli Bank — Visa and Mastercard;
— Orient Finans Bank — Visa and Mastercard;
— Kapitalbank — Visa and Mastercard;
— TBC Bank Uzbekistan — Visa and Mastercard;
— Octobank — Visa and Mastercard;
— Hamkorbank — Visa;
— Uzum Bank — Visa.
"Relevant work on connecting local payment system cards (Uzcard and Humo) to Apple Pay is ongoing, and the ability to connect them will be provided soon," the Central Bank stated.
According to Central Bank data, the confidentiality of card information and the security of payments are ensured through special technological solutions. The availability of the service will be expanded in stages depending on the technical readiness of banks and payment systems.
Furthermore, as of October 27, it became possible to add cards issued by Uzbekistan banks to Google Wallet and Apple Wallet apps. Currently, the Google Wallet system supports Visa and Mastercard cards issued by 9 banks: AVO Bank, Octobank, Uzum Bank, TBC Bank, Aloqabank, Kapitalbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, the National Bank of Uzbekistan, and Orient Finans Bank.
The introduction of the Apple Pay service expands the integration of the country's payment infrastructure with international digital payment technologies.
