Kyrgyzstan’s state-owned Eldik Bank has become the first in the country to establish a formal partnership with Tencent, China’s tech giant behind WeChat Pay, marking a significant step in bilateral digital financial cooperation. The agreement, finalized during the Shaanxi Silk Road Expo, aims to facilitate seamless payment services for users in both Kyrgyzstan and China, responding to growing trade and tourism ties.
Central to the deal is the integration of QR code payment technologies that will connect Eldik Bank’s mobile app with the WeChat Pay ecosystem. This will enable Eldik users to make payments directly in China, while WeChat Pay customers can also use their platform for transactions within Kyrgyzstan. The collaboration also contemplates the future development of cross-border money transfers and settlements using national currencies like the Chinese yuan, supporting growing trade turnover between the two nations.
The partnership also opens doors for Eldik Bank to tap into Tencent’s fintech expertise and innovative digital payment technologies. By leveraging this cooperation, Eldik aims to strengthen the financial infrastructure that supports bilateral commerce. During the expo, Eldik representatives showcased their business operations and investment opportunities while engaging in talks with China Construction Bank about tailored financial solutions for companies active between Kyrgyzstan and China.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to deepen economic connectivity in the region, including infrastructure projects like the China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan railway, which is poised to boost transport and trade links within Central Asia. The new collaboration with Tencent positions Kyrgyzstan closer to China’s digital economy and modern payment frameworks, facilitating easier transactions for businesses and consumers on both sides.