Why is this important
Apple Pay and Google Pay are the largest mobile payment systems, and the launch will simplify payments for foreign tourists and Uzbeks with iPhones/Android. Tourists will be able to pay by phone without exchanging currency or withdrawing cash. Uzbeks will have access to contactless payments (NFC) — convenience, security. Competition with Click, Payme, Uzum is an incentive to improve services.
What happened
- The president’s press service announced plans to launch Apple Pay, Google Pay after the meeting on November 6;
- As early as October 2024, the government instructed to negotiate with Alipay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Unipay.
Why Apple Pay and Google Pay
- For tourists: 2+ million tourists per year (Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Europe) will be able to pay by phone without currency exchange, cash withdrawal, and commissions.
- For Uzbeks: access to contactless payments (NFC) – convenience (no card needed), security (no risk of card loss).
- For business: attracting tourists, simplifying payments, increasing turnover.
- For the economy: growth of non-cash payments, reduction of shadow turnover, increasing transparency.
Technical requirements
- NFC terminals: stores, restaurants, and taxis must install NFC terminals for contactless payments.
- Integration with banks: Uzbek banks must integrate their cards into Apple Pay, Google Pay.
- CB regulation: The CB must approve the launch, establish rules, and license operators.
Other systems
- Alipay: Chinese payment system — for Chinese tourists (the largest flow).
- PayPal: an international online payment system for e-commerce.
Context
- October 2024: The government approved measures to effectively utilize tourism potential, including negotiations with international payment systems.
- Tourism: 2+ million tourists per year, revenue $1+ billion. Apple Pay, Google Pay will simplify payments and increase the attractiveness of Uzbekistan.
- Cashless payments: grow by 50-60% annually due to digitalization, ban on cash in buses, growth of e-commerce.
- Contradiction with Apple: the press service mentioned Apple Pay, but Apple did not participate in the meeting — it is unclear how the launch is planned.
- NFC Terminals: Most terminals in Uzbekistan do not support NFC — infrastructure needs to be modernized.
