Uzbekistan halts use of Russia’s Mir payment cards

CEO of Russian Nationwide Cost Card System (NSPK) Vladimir Komlev attends a session of the St. Petersburg Worldwide Financial Discussion board (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 16, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

TASHKENT, Sept 23 (Reuters) – Uzbekistan’s UZCARD system has suspended the processing of funds through Mir playing cards issued by Financial institution of Russia’s Nationwide Card Cost System (NSPK), the chief government of which has been focused by U.S. sanctions.

The transfer by UZCARD was warranted by the necessity “to hold out the required technical procedures”, it mentioned in a press release on Friday.

Sobirjon Mahmudov, head of public relations at UZCARD, mentioned the choice had nothing to do with sanctions.

“The technical upkeep procedures are being carried out by our Uzbek associate financial institution which carries out funds, and it requested us to halt briefly the fee processes because of their upkeep works.”

NSPK Chief Govt Vladimir Komlev declined to touch upon UZCARD’s announcement.

Russia has promoted Mir as a substitute for Visa (V.N) and MasterCard (MA.N), which shut off their Russian networks after Moscow despatched troops into Ukraine in February.

The US final week issued sanctions in opposition to NSPK’s Komlev, saying it was searching for to carry the Russian authorities accountable for its Feb. 24 invasion and persevering with conflict in opposition to Ukraine. learn extra

Shortly afterwards, Turkish banks Denizbank and Isbank suspended using Mir.

Reporting by Mukhammadsharif Mamatkulov
Writing by Olzhas Auyezov
Enhancing by David Goodman and Louise Heavens

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