The Bank of the Lao has launched a cross-border retail payment link with China’s digital yuan and initiated a pilot for business and investment transfers through the Cross-Border e-CNY Transfer System. In the initial retail phase, Chinese users can pay Lao QR merchants directly with e-CNY wallets, adding a digital payment channel for tourists, businesses and investors in Laos. An agreement between DCI and LAPNet supports the retail connection. The transfer pilot will initially cover selected Chinese companies investing in Laos and is intended to streamline trade and investment payments, improve transaction traceability and transparency, and help ensure that loans and other funding are used for their intended purposes.
2026-09-18Bank of the Lao
Bank of the Lao launches China-Laos e-CNY retail payment link and business transfer pilot
The Bank of the Lao has launched a retail e-CNY payment link that initially allows Chinese users to pay Lao QR merchants with digital yuan wallets. It also initiated a Cross-Border e-CNY Transfer System pilot for trade and investment transfers involving selected Chinese companies in Laos.