NPCI launches subsidiary to venture into global markets

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) on Wednesday announced the launch of a subsidiary for its international growth ambitions. The subsidiary, NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), will facilitate the body's "ambition" of venturing into newer international markets and co-create payment systems with other nations, as per an official statement.

The announcement comes a day after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) came out with guidelines for creation of other payment platforms with a view to de-risk the system. NIPL has been tasked with exporting NPCI's indigenously developed offerings and technological acumen to foreign markets and its focus will be internationalisation of the RuPay and UPI (unified payment interface) platform, an official statement said.

Also read: Banks expected to restructure loans up to Rs 8.4 lakh crore after RBI decision: IndRa

NPCI said its platforms have been cost effective, secure, convenient and instantaneous and several nations have displayed an inclination towards establishing a 'real-time payment system' or 'domestic card scheme'. "Several countries such as Asia, Africa and the Middle East have displayed interest towards replicating our model in their own nations," NPCI Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Dilip Asbe said.

NPCI, which is owned by local lenders, has appointed Ritesh Shukla as the chief executive of NIPL, it said adding that he joins from rival Mastercard's Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team. He will be supported by Anubhav Sharma, head of international business for partnership, business development and marketing, and Rina Penkar, head of international business for product development, in NIPL's core team, as per the statement.

Also read: COVID-19 impact: Around 40% of restaurants may not reopen again