GHL Systems Berhad and JCB International have formed a strategic partnership to enable JCB Card acceptance for GHL merchants in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. This collaboration is expected to enhance payment convenience for JCB cardholders and boost tourism spending in the region as international travel rebounds.
22 October 2024 – GHL Systems Berhad (GHL) and JCB International Co., Ltd., the global operations subsidiary of Japan’s leading payment brand JCB Co., Ltd., have officially announced a strategic partnership. This collaboration enables GHL merchants in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines to accept JCB Cards, providing greater payment convenience for both merchants and JCB cardholders across the region.
With JCB’s extensive global network, GHL merchants will benefit from seamless integration of JCB Cards, enhancing the overall payment experience for their customers. This partnership is poised to significantly boost JCB Card usage, particularly as GHL’s merchant network spans over 480,000 payment touchpoints across diverse sectors in the three countries. The enhanced payment options are expected to foster stronger relationships between merchants and customers, driving growth in the regional retail and tourism sectors.
As international tourism levels in Asia are projected to surpass pre-pandemic figures by the end of 2024, this partnership is timely. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, the resurgence of tourism, especially in Asia, is a key driver of this growth, and GHL’s expanded payment solutions will accommodate the anticipated increase in tourist spending.
Sean Hesh, Executive Director and Group CEO of GHL, emphasized the importance of this collaboration in delivering innovative and seamless payment solutions, particularly in preparation for the surge in inbound tourism. Hiroko Michishita, Managing Director of JCB International Asia Pacific, highlighted the significance of this milestone for JCB’s business expansion in the region, further supported by GHL’s use of the JCB Payment Gateway powered by Soft Space.
The rollout of JCB Card acceptance will begin in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2024, followed by expansions in Thailand and the Philippines.
