Use of Russian MIR cards in Cuba is running without difficulties

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 11 (ACN) Greicher La Nuez Gambino, general director of Payment Services (RED S.A.), assured that so far operations with Russian MIR cards are running smoothly at the Point of Sale (POS) terminals and no complaints have been received for failed operations.

As the official explained to Granma newspaper, since November 2, when the pilot tests began, up to December 7, 1,400 operations of this type have been carried out in the country.

La Nuez Gambino added that these payment cards are issued by the Russian National Card Payment System (NSPK) and are issued to citizens of Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Armenia.

Since the implementation of this system, Russian tourists can purchase services and products without the use of cash, she specified.

The Director pointed out that the process represents a strength of the national banking system, because it allows the integration of several institutions: the NSPK with RED S.A. for the ATMs and with Fincimex for the POS; it also represents another form of collection and payment between the Russian and Cuban banks.

At the POS, with Fincimex, an update is being carried out and, according to estimates, before concluding the year, more than 80 % will be ready to operate with these cards, she continued.

The implementation of the use of the MIR began in tourist areas where there is a greater influx of the Russian market, as well as in Old Havana.