The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) and Mastercard have discussed expanding Cambodia’s digital payment services among international visitors, with particular attention to the Bakong Tourists application and measures to strengthen digital payment security.
The discussion took place on September 22 during a meeting between NBC Governor H.E. Dr. Chea Serey and a Mastercard senior management team led by Donald Ong, Division President for Mastercard’s East Southeast Asia division.
The meeting focused on Cambodia’s continued development of its digital payment ecosystem and efforts to make electronic payments more convenient and secure for international visitors.
Bakong Tourists Expansion for International Visitors
A key topic was the progress of the Bakong Tourists payment application, particularly its expansion to international users.
The initiative is intended to make digital payments more convenient for tourists travelling in Cambodia, as the country continues to expand the use of digital transactions.
Greater access to digital payment services could also support visitors who need convenient payment options while travelling, although the supplied report does not provide specific figures on the number of users, participating merchants or transaction volumes under the Bakong Tourists initiative.
Focus on Digital Payment Security
The NBC and Mastercard also discussed ways to strengthen the security of Cambodia’s growing digital payment system.
Their discussions covered fraud monitoring and prevention mechanisms as well as risk mitigation strategies aimed at improving the safety of digital transactions.
As digital payments become more widely used, stronger fraud prevention and risk management are increasingly important to maintaining public confidence in electronic payment systems.
The meeting therefore combined payment expansion with security measures, rather than focusing solely on increasing digital transaction usage.
Black Swan Summit to Showcase Cambodia’s Payment Technology
During the meeting, Chea Serey highlighted the upcoming Black Swan Summit, which will be held alongside the Francophonie Summit in November, as an opportunity to showcase Cambodia’s digital payment developments to international guests.
The side event is expected to provide a platform for sharing experiences and demonstrating innovations in Cambodia’s digital payment systems.
It will also give international visitors an opportunity to experience the country's digital payment services firsthand.
The initiative connects Cambodia’s digital payment development with the country’s upcoming international events, providing an opportunity to demonstrate its payment infrastructure to foreign visitors and other international participants.
Digital Payments Become Part of the Tourism Experience
The discussion between the NBC and Mastercard reflects the growing connection between digital finance and international tourism.
For international visitors, convenient payment services can form an important part of the travel experience, from everyday purchases to payments for tourism-related services.
For Cambodia, expanding digital payment access among tourists could also strengthen the practical use of its domestic payment infrastructure while exposing international visitors to local digital payment services.
At the same time, the emphasis on fraud monitoring and risk mitigation shows that expanding usage must be accompanied by measures designed to protect users and maintain confidence.
Key Facts
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Meeting date | September 22, 2026 |
| Institutions | National Bank of Cambodia and Mastercard |
| NBC representative | H.E. Dr. Chea Serey |
| Mastercard representative | Donald Ong |
| Mastercard division | East Southeast Asia |
| Main payment initiative | Bakong Tourists |
| Main security topics | Fraud monitoring, prevention and risk mitigation |
| Upcoming showcase | Black Swan Summit |
| Related event | Francophonie Summit, November 2026 |
Angkor Times Analysis
The discussion highlights two parallel priorities in Cambodia’s digital payment development: international accessibility and transaction security.
The expansion of Bakong Tourists to international users could make Cambodia’s digital payment ecosystem more accessible to foreign visitors. The upcoming Black Swan Summit and Francophonie Summit period could provide an international audience for demonstrating these services.
Security will be equally important. As digital transaction volumes and international usage expand, fraud monitoring, prevention and risk mitigation become essential components of maintaining user confidence.
The supplied report, however, does not provide specific information on the technical integration between Bakong Tourists and Mastercard, the number of international users targeted, the merchants involved, transaction volumes, or new fraud-prevention technologies agreed during the meeting.
The immediate significance of the discussion is therefore the continued cooperation and focus on expanding digital payment access while strengthening security, rather than a confirmed new Mastercard payment product or specific technology deployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did NBC and Mastercard discuss?
They discussed expanding the use of Cambodia’s digital payment services among international visitors, particularly through Bakong Tourists, as well as strengthening digital payment security.
Who represented the NBC?
NBC Governor H.E. Dr. Chea Serey represented the National Bank of Cambodia.
Who led the Mastercard delegation?
The Mastercard delegation was led by Donald Ong, Division President for Mastercard’s East Southeast Asia division.
What security measures were discussed?
The discussions covered fraud monitoring and prevention mechanisms and risk mitigation strategies for digital payments.
What is Bakong Tourists being expanded for?
The initiative is being expanded to international users to make digital payments more convenient for visitors travelling in Cambodia.
How will the Black Swan Summit support Cambodia’s digital payment sector?
According to the report, the summit will provide an opportunity to showcase Cambodia’s digital payment achievements, share experiences and demonstrate digital payment services to international guests.