Google’s digital payment service, Google Pay, will become available to users in Uzbekistan. This was announced by Marcin Krasuski, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at Google Cloud, during a panel discussion on digital technologies held in Samarkand. The event took place as part of the “C5+1” meetings between Central Asian countries and the United States.

Google Pay allows users to pay for goods and services using a smartphone or smartwatch. To do so, users simply need to add a supported bank card to the Google Wallet app and hold their device near a contactless payment terminal at a retail outlet.

At present, no official information has been released on which Uzbek banks’ cards will be supported when the service launches.

The Central Bank of Uzbekistan had previously announced that work was underway to technically integrate Google Pay and Apple Pay with the country’s HUMO and UZCARD payment systems.

The launch of Google Pay will mark an important step towards expanding digital payment options and developing cashless transactions in Uzbekistan.