The Banco Nacional de Comércio de Timor-Leste (BNCTL), in partnership with UnionPay International (UPI), a global payment network, officially launched the new UnionPay International (UPI) Card this Friday. The launch was led by His Excellency, the Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, alongside the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, Lúcia Flor, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee, António Vítor.

The Chairwoman of the BNCTL Board of Directors stated that this Launch is an important step towards improving services for customers and promoting digitalization in the financial sector. The new card allows for secure payments anywhere in the world, without carrying large amounts of cash.

UnionPay's Director-General, Jiangtao Jian, expressed satisfaction with the partnership with BNCTL and thanked the government and the Central Bank of Timor-Leste for their support. He emphasized UnionPay's commitment to supporting financial inclusion and digital transformation in the country.

Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, congratulated BNCTL on the successful launch, considering it an important step in integrating Timor-Leste into the global economy, as the UnionPay Card can be used in 183 countries.