The international reach of Russia’s Mir payment card continues to grow in friendly countries, even under Western sanctions, according to Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Central Bank of Russia, speaking at the State Duma.
“Despite the sanctions, we’re gradually expanding the acceptance of Mir cards in countries our tourists frequently visit,” she noted.
Currently, Mir cards are accepted in 13 countries outside Russia. However, in nine of them — including Armenia, Venezuela, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Laos, Moldova, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Nicaragua — use is either restricted to specific banks or merchants, or limited geographically. Full access without limitations is available in Abkhazia, Belarus, Cuba, and South Ossetia.
Six more countries — Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka — have initiated the process of integrating Mir into their payment systems. Meanwhile, Egypt, Iran, and Mauritius have expressed intentions to adopt the system. Talks are also underway with six other unnamed countries.
Previously, the Mir card was suspended in Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan following US pressure related to sanctions enforcement.
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Photo: State Duma of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS