Singapore, Malaysia launch cross-border QR payments connectivity

Singapore’s Monetary Authority (MAS) and Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) have launched a cross-border QR code payment linkage between the two countries, enabling customers of participating financial institutions to make retail payments by scanning NETS QR and DuitNow QR codes.

The payment linkage will allow for in-person payments through the scanning of physical QR codes displayed by merchants and online cross-border e-commerce transactions.

The NETS-DuitNow QR code payment linkage is a significant step in the collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia to improve cross-border payments connectivity. With pre-pandemic annual traffic between the two countries averaging 12 million visitors, the payment linkage will provide merchants and consumers with a more seamless and efficient means to make and receive payments.

Various industry players from both countries, including Network for Electronic Transfers (Singapore) Pte. Ltd (NETS), the Association of Banks in Singapore, Payments Network Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (PayNet), and participating financial institutions from both countries have collaborated to make this possible.

In the next phase, MAS and BNM plan to expand the payment linkage to enable cross-border account-to-account fund transfers and remittances. This will allow users to make real-time fund transfers between Singapore and Malaysia conveniently using just the recipient’s mobile phone number via PayNow and DuitNow. The service is expected to go live by the end of 2023.

The Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Mr Ravi Menon, said, “The NETS-DuitNow QR code payment linkage is the latest addition to Singapore’s growing set of cross-border payment linkages. These linkages will help boost cross-border commerce and enable our merchants, especially small businesses, to tap on a wider pool of consumers. This QR code linkage between Singapore and Malaysia is an important milestone in ASEAN’s journey towards seamless regional payments connectivity.”

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said, “This is a significant step forward in realising the vision of an ASEAN network of fast, efficient and interconnected retail payment systems. The QR linkage between Malaysia and Singapore will benefit millions of commuters across the Causeway as well as business and leisure travellers. It will also be a boost to retail businesses in both countries. We will continue to work closely with our partners to accelerate our digitalisation agenda towards increased regional economic and financial integration.”

The launch of this cross-border QR code payment linkage is a testament to both countries’ commitment to improving the cost, speed, access and transparency of cross-border payments, in line with the ASEAN Payment Connectivity Initiative and the G20 Roadmap for Enhancing Cross-border Payments.