As Cambodia strengthens its position in the global fintech arena, could its homegrown digital payment system soon find a place in Europe’s financial ecosystem?
Cambodia Showcases Its Digital Payment Success
Cambodia is increasingly being recognized as a serious player in financial technology. During high level talks in Phnom Penh on February 13, 2026, H.E. Chea Vandeth, Minister of Post and Telecommunications, met with H.E. Ms. Ekaterine Galdava, Governor of the National Bank of Georgia, to explore how Cambodia’s digital payment solutions could be integrated into Georgia’s financial system. The discussion centered on the international potential of Cambodia’s flagship innovations, particularly the Bakong blockchain based payment system and the verify.gov.kh platform. What began as domestic infrastructure designed to modernize Cambodia’s financial and administrative services has evolved into a scalable model now facilitating secure and seamless transactions across roughly 10 Asian countries. This transformation signals that Cambodia’s digital infrastructure is no longer limited to national use but is emerging as a competitive exportable framework for cross border commerce and tourism.
Why Georgia Is Interested in Bakong?
Why would Georgia look to Cambodia for fintech inspiration? The answer lies in interoperability, efficiency, and security. During the meeting, Minister Vandeth explained how Cambodia’s unified digital ecosystem has simplified daily transactions for citizens while simultaneously supporting international trade and tourism. “The success of Bakong and our unified digital platforms has not only simplified life for our citizens but has become a trusted bridge for international commerce and tourism,” he noted during the exchange. Governor Galdava responded positively, commending the technological progress achieved by the National Bank of Cambodia and expressing strong interest in understanding the technical architecture that enables such high levels of integration and protection. For Georgia, adopting or adapting a Bakong style infrastructure could represent a strategic leap forward in digital banking modernization.
Expanding Collaboration Between Central Banks
Beyond technology transfer, what does this dialogue mean for long term cooperation? Both sides discussed potential roadmaps for implementing Bakong inspired infrastructure in Georgia and strengthening collaboration between the National Bank of Georgia and the National Bank of Cambodia. They also examined how Cambodia’s verify.gov.kh platform could improve administrative efficiency and document authentication processes in the Caucasus region. This signals more than a single system adoption. It reflects the possibility of sustained institutional cooperation between two central banks aiming to accelerate digital transformation.
Conclusion
Cambodia’s fintech journey is no longer just a national success story. It is becoming a model for international partnership. As Georgia evaluates the adoption of Bakong style infrastructure, this emerging alliance highlights how digital innovation from Southeast Asia can influence financial ecosystems far beyond the region. If realized, this partnership could mark a significant milestone in Cambodia’s ambition to export digital public infrastructure and strengthen its role in global financial connectivity.
Source: AKP