ALMATY, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) on Thursday launched a unified interbank Quick Response (QR) code payment system for nationwide use, the Kazinform news agency reported.

The new payment system will simplify transactions for consumers and strengthen Kazakhstan's position as a financial technology leader in Central Asia, NBK Governor Timur Suleimenov said at a press conference during the Central Asia Fintech Summit in Almaty.

The system was initially introduced in a pilot format last month and is now fully operational, serving several million users, said Zhanar Samayeva, chairperson of the National Payment Corporation under the NBK.

Bank CenterCredit, Freedom Bank, Halyk Bank, Altyn Bank, RBK Bank and Home Credit Bank are already connected to the system, while three more banks are expected to join by the end of the year, Samayeva said.

She added that the service will be gradually expanded to all regions and retail outlets, with full-scale implementation scheduled for 2026. Enditem