BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 4. As of the end of the second quarter of 2024, Kyrgyzstan has hit the jackpot with a significant surge in the number of ATM (Automated Teller Machine) and POS (Point of Sale) terminals scattered all over the country, Trend reports via the National Bank of Kyrgyzstan.
According to the report, there were a whopping 2,416 ATMs up and running by the end of June.
This marks a 12.6 percent uptick, or an extra 270 units, compared to the same period last year. Since the start of 2024, the number of ATMs has shot up by 6.9 percent, or a whopping 156 units.
The Braille keyboard on all ATMs has a raised dot on the number 5. These include 277 voice-guided ATMs and 1,195 ramped ATMs. 888 ATMs do not need ramps, while 318 do not have them.
The number of POS terminals has also risen significantly, with 29,664 terminals reported as operational.
This is an increase of 12,046 units, or 68.4 percent, from the same period last year, and a rise of 6,655 units, or 28.9 percent, since the start of 2024. Of these, 11,642 POS terminals are equipped with Braille keyboards, and 27,478 offer contactless payment options.
Additionally, the total number of banking payment cards in circulation reached nearly 8 million by the end of the second quarter. This marks a 30.8 percent increase compared to the previous year and a 15.9 percent rise since the beginning of 2024.