- qris.id
Jakarta – Bank Indonesia (BI) has revealed that the Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) and the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) have officially joined the Regional Payment Connectivity (RPC) cooperation.
This connectivity includes QR-based payments (QRIS) as well as fast payments.
Assistant Governor and Head of the BI Department, Erwin Haryono, stated that this cooperation was marked by the signing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) by the BDCB on February 29, 2024.
Meanwhile, the BOL signed the amendments to the MoU on Wednesday (April 3) during the 11th ASEAN Central Bank Governors and Finance Ministers' Meeting in Luang Prabang, Laos.
Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) dan Bank Sentral Laos atau Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) secara resmi bergabung dalam kerja sama konektivitas pembayaran di kawasan (Regional Payment Connectivity/RPC).
- Dok. BI
"The inclusion of BDCB and BOL in the regional payment connectivity cooperation marks an increase in the number of participants to 8 central banks," Haryono said in a statement on Wednesday.
Haryono explained that previously, Indonesia, along with Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, initiated the RPC in November 2022, and Vietnam joined in August 2023.
The cooperation will continue to be expanded to involve all ASEAN member countries and other partner countries outside ASEAN.
He conveyed that regional payment connectivity cooperation aims to build faster, cheaper, transparent, and inclusive cross-border payment connectivity.
"The regional payment connectivity includes QR-based payments as well as fast payments,"
Haryono emphasized that cross-border payment connectivity benefits cross-border economic activities, including increasing access for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to international markets, as well as facilitating trade, remittances, and tourist transactions in partner countries.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of BDCB, Hajah Rokiah binti Haji Badar, expressed her pride in BDCB's position as one of the signatories to the RPC along with Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Badar also stated that the scope and areas of cooperation of the RPC would provide benefits, especially in advancing cross-border payment connectivity.
This cooperation will also serve as a means to facilitate trade, investment, and economic activities in the region and promote close collaboration among central banks.
Meanwhile, Governor of BOL, Bounleua Xinxayvoravong, stated that the signing of the RPC MoU is a significant step in enhancing ASEAN cooperation in the future.
Faster and cheaper financial transactions, as well as secure and smooth payment system infrastructure, will support the expansion and sustainability of the Laotian economy.
