The National Bank of Commerce of Timor-Leste (BNCTL – acronym in Portuguese), the country’s largest bank, officially launched the UnionPay International (UPI) Card. This solution facilitates faster and safer transactions in 183 countries and regions worldwide. The launch ceremony took place at El Legendário, Hotel Novo Turismo, in Dili and was attended by members of the Government and various personalities from the banking and business sectors. 

The card was officially presented by the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs and Minister of Tourism and Environment, Francisco Kalbuadi Lay, accompanied by the President of the BNCTL Board of Directors, Lúcia da Cruz Flor, and the President of the BNCTL Executive Committee, António Vítor. The ceremony was also attended by the General Director of UnionPay International South Pacific, Jiangtao Jiao, and the Vice-Governor of the Central Bank of Timor-Leste, Sara Lobo Brites, among other guests. 

The Chairwoman of BNCTL’s Board of Directors said that this launch is an important step towards improving customer services and promoting digitalisation in the financial sector. The new card makes it possible to make payments anywhere in the world, securely and without the need to carry large amounts of cash.

António Vítor, Chairman of BNCTL’s Executive Committee, emphasised the importance of this new stage for the bank, saying that “the launch of BNCTL as a UPI Issuing Bank” represents “an important milestone for the institution”. “It’s a step that reinforces our mission to continue to be the main commercial bank in Timor-Leste, serving all Timorese. Now with a service that can be used in 183 countries and regions”. 

BNCTL’s UPI Card is a debit card that allows its customers to carry out financial transactions safely and conveniently anywhere in the world, for both online and in-person payments. This service responds to the growing demand for international banking solutions and offers greater flexibility in day-to-day operations, eliminating the need to carry large amounts of cash. 

Signing up for the UnionPay Card is simple and accessible. It is part of an international network that BNCTL has been preparing over the last few months. This innovation represents another step in BNCTL’s commitment to providing its customers with high-quality, technologically advanced financial services. 

With this initiative, BNCTL strengthens its operations and adapts to the demands of a constantly evolving global market, promoting security and efficiency in Timor-Leste’s banking sector. The UnionPay Card will be available for payments on various digital platforms, online purchases, and operations abroad, reinforcing BNCTL’s commitment to innovation and service excellence.