Tokyo, July 31, 2012 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations of JCB Co., Ltd. (JCB)., the only global payment brand based in Japan, is pleased to announce that JCB card acceptance at merchants and ATMs in Nepal has started in June thanks to partnerships with Himalayan Bank Limited, a major commercial bank, and Alpine Card Service P. Ltd, a leading financial services company. Now JCB cardmembers visiting Nepal can enjoy much more convenience. The number that accepts JCB card is expected to reach 2,500 merchants and 1,000 ATMs by August, 2012.

Nepal is the kingdom of the "roof of the world", the Himalayan Mountains, with many areas of beautiful mountainous and hilly terrain. Every year over 20,000 Japanese visit Nepal to enjoy trekking and other activities, joined recently by more and more travelers from China and Korea, where the number of JCB cardmembers is increasing rapidly. In addition to meeting the increasing needs of cardmembers from Asia, JCB and JCBI are positioning the South Asia region as a strategically important market for JCB brand business expansion.

JCB card acceptance in Nepal has been extremely limited until now, but starting in August cardmembers can pay with JCB card at the 5-star Hyatt Regency, Hotel de l'Annapurna and Soaltee Crowne Plaza as well as at the famous Hotel Everest View - the hotel at the highest altitude in the world - at restaurants, souvenir shops and many other merchants in popular tourist areas including Pokhara and Lumbini in addition to Kathmandu. JCB and JCBI will be planning tieups with merchants in Nepal to provide JCB cardmembers with discounts and other special offers in the future.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes over 22 million merchants and over a million cash advance locations in 190 countries and territories. JCB cards are now issued in 16 countries and territories, with more than 77 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with more than 350 leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to provide responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, visit: www.jcbcorporate.com/english .

Note: JCB statistics included in About JCB are as of the end of March 2012.



Source: JCB

Contact:

JCB International Co., Ltd.
Ayako Tanaka/ Masayasu Okada
Corporate Planning Department
+81-3-5778-8390
Ayako.tanaka@jcb.co.jp
Masayasu.okada@jcb.co.jp

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