Establishing another international collaboration, BKM has executed an agreement with UnionPay International(UPI), a subsidiary focusing on international business of UnionPay, which was founded in 2002 in China as a card payment system with over 3.4 billion UnionPay cards issued worldwide, which can be accepted in over 140 countries and regions. This agreement will allow UnionPay cards, which are being issued in nearly 30 different countries, China included, to be used in all ATMs within Turkey.

Dr. Soner Canko, CEO of Interbank Card Center of Turkey (BKM)said, "As a result of the collaboration with UnionPay International, more than 3.4 billion UnionPay cards, which is in the first place in the world in terms of card numbers, will be used in all ATMs of our country. Thanks to this agreement, it will be possible to make transactions in our ATMs with UnionPay cards, which are issued in nearly 30 countries and regions, including in China."

Tourism revenue will increase
BKM, which has started to offer nationwide authorization and clearing service to UnionPay cards in order to facilitate cash withdrawals and balance queries for the tourists of countries, at which UnionPay cards are being issued, through the ATMs in Turkey, has so started a new era in utilization of ATMs. The figures announced by Turkish Tourism Office show that 14 percent of 29 million tourists that have visited our country in 2010 have come from the countries, in which UnionPay cards were being issued.

Turkey, known as the "cradle of civilization", rich in history and culture as well as the unique landscape across Europe and Asia, attracts more and more Chinese tourists and visitors each year.