Indonesia trials QRIS with Saudi Arabia and India

THE NEWS:

Indonesia is trialing the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) cross‑border digital payment system with Saudi Arabia and India, adding to the six countries—Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and China—already participating, to simplify transactions for foreign tourists in Bali.

DETAILS:

• Bank Indonesia’s Bali Representative Office head Achris Sarwani announced the expansion on Saturday.
• The QRIS rollout is intended to add value to Bali’s tourism sector by making payments easier for visitors.
• Saudi Arabia and India are being trialed as new markets because they represent significant tourist sources, with Saudi Arabia already a major destination for Bali.

WHY IT MATTERS:

Simplified cross‑border payments can encourage higher spend by incoming tourists, especially as Indian arrivals rise, and help Bali capture revenue from emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, supporting the island’s recovery and growth in the post‑pandemic era.

FAQ

Which countries are currently part of the QRIS cross‑border payment system in Bali?

The six countries already using the QRIS cross‑border payment system in Bali are Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and China. Bank Indonesia’s Bali Representative Office said these nations are part of the current rollout, which aims to make payments easier for visiting tourists.

Which new markets are being trialed for QRIS payments in Bali?

Indonesia is running trials with Saudi Arabia and India to extend QRIS payments. The two countries were identified as significant markets, with Saudi Arabia already a major source of visitors to Bali, and India showing a rising tourist flow, according to Achris Sarwani.

Who announced the expansion of QRIS payments for foreign tourists in Bali?

The expansion of the QRIS system was announced by Achris Sarwani, who serves as the head of Bank Indonesia’s Bali Representative Office. He made the statement on Saturday, highlighting the inclusion of new trial markets and emphasizing that the digital QR code system simplifies transactions for visitors and adds value to Bali’s tourism sector.

How does the QRIS expansion benefit foreign tourists in Bali?

The QRIS rollout is intended to make payments easier for foreign tourists by allowing cross‑border digital transactions via a QR code. According to the Bank Indonesia official, this simplification adds value to Bali’s tourism sector and could encourage higher spending by visitors, especially as Indian arrivals continue to rise.

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