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MasterCard expands in Myanmar

By Maria Santos
1 min read
MasterCard expands in Myanmar
In this article (5)

Its launch comes exactly three years on from the lifting of sanctions in Myanmar and affirms MasterCard’s commitment to  provide safer and easier ways for Myanmar residents to pay for their travels.

The new prepaid card is also timely given the latest MasterCard survey on consumer purchasing priorities in travel indicates that three out of five Myanmar consumers surveyed intend to travel within the next 12 months (either as much, or more than they did in the past 12 months).

The MAB Travel Prepaid MasterCard provides a secure way for consumers to make payment when travelling overseas for leisure, business or education, and also when shopping on e-commerce sites.
“We know that leisure travel and shopping are on the rise among Myanmar citizens and we hope this product will help to meet their needs,” said Win Min Khine, managing director, Myanmar Apex Bank.

MasterCard country manager, Thailand & Myanmar, Antonio Corro said: “Myanmar’s gradual opening up presents many opportunities for entrepreneurship and commerce to flourish, and their progressive participation in the global payments system that MasterCard enables not only aids the development of the local payments landscape, but also facilitates global connections.”

Since 2012, MasterCard has launched prepaid cards together with Co-operative Bank, Kanbawza Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank and Myanmar Citizen Bank with 2C2P, the last of which was also Myanmar’s first smartphone-enabled Prepaid Card.

At present, more than 2,000 restaurants, retail outlets and hotels in Myanmar accept payment cards.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What is the primary purpose of the new MAB Travel Prepaid MasterCard?

A.

The new prepaid card offers a secure method for consumers to pay when travelling overseas for leisure, business, or education. It also facilitates payments when shopping on e-commerce sites.

Q.

How long has it been since sanctions were lifted in Myanmar, leading to this MasterCard expansion?

A.

The launch of this new prepaid card comes exactly three years after the lifting of sanctions in Myanmar. This timing affirms MasterCard's commitment to the region.

Q.

How many Myanmar consumers are expected to travel in the next year, according to MasterCard's survey?

A.

Three out of five Myanmar consumers surveyed intend to travel within the next 12 months. This includes travelling as much as, or more than, they did in the past 12 months.

Q.

Which other banks has MasterCard partnered with in Myanmar since 2012?

A.

MasterCard has previously launched prepaid cards with Co-operative Bank, Kanbawza Bank, Ayeyarwady Bank, and Myanmar Citizen Bank. The Myanmar Citizen Bank partnership introduced Myanmar’s first smartphone-enabled Prepaid Card.

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