She will support the company’s expansion into digital payments in Viet Nam, play a key role in engaging with regulators and stakeholders to support the Government’s plan to reduce cash payments to less than 10 percent by 2020.

Wong will be based in HCM City.

Since joining Mastercard in Singapore in 2013, she has worked with governments and corporations to spearhead the adoption of B2B platforms to help improve the efficiency and transparency of cross-border trade in the Asia Pacific.

The company said in a release that with her extensive experience in payment solutions, Wong would offer deep insights into industry best practices, which would help the Government achieve its cashless agenda.

Ari Sarker, its co-president, Asia Pacific, said: “It’s an exciting time for Mastercard in Viet Nam. There is tremendous interest and support from both public and private stakeholders to drive the country’s transformation into a digital economy.

“Viet Nam’s strong fintech culture also creates great opportunity for innovation and the accelerated scaling of new technologies. Mastercard is encouraged by the push across the region to develop a more connected and inclusive cashless society.”

Wong said: “Cashless payments on smartphones are growing at an incredible rate, and this is rapidly changing the way consumers make transactions.” — VNS