The international arm of China UnionPay has launched a service that allows holders of its bank cards to make transactions in Mozambique, Xinhua reports.

The Chinese state-run news agency quotes Bank of Mozambique Administrator Augusto Bila as saying at the launching ceremony in Maputo that the Mozambican central bank and UnionPay had begun negotiations on the new service in 2013.

“The launch of UnionPay that we are witnessing today marks a significant moment in the national payment system, as a result of the co-operation between Mozambique and China,” Mr Bila said.

Xinhua quotes Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Su Jian as saying: “This co-operation will continue through banking and financial institutions such as UnionPay International.”