Optimizing supply chain costs: A perspective from cross-border payments

The global business landscape not only opens new market opportunities but also imposes increasingly stringent requirements on cost management within supply chains. Among them, cross-border payments represent a critical cost area that businesses must identify and control.

The cost pressures of supply chain payments

Cost pressures extend far beyond tangible activities such as logistics or transportation. Expenses arising from cross-border payments represent a "gray area" in supply chain management that many businesses still overlook.

The most visible of these is foreign exchange cost — also the most volatile component of international transactions. Each fluctuation in exchange rates can erode a company’s profit margin in the absence of effective risk management strategies. Amid global economic uncertainty, the costs stemming from exchange rate differences can become a heavy burden for international businesses.

Less visible but equally important are manual processing costs — often the result of inefficient workflows and frequent documentation errors. These issues stem from delayed financial digitalization, leading to prolonged processing times, repeated mistakes, and resource-intensive corrections. According to GitNux, approximately 40% of B2B cross-border payments are delayed due to a lack of automation.
Such delays also give rise to opportunity costs, especially when cash flow is stalled. These financial bottlenecks can create a domino effect across the entire supply chain, weakening operational agility and resilience.

Fintech: A strategic lever for cost optimization

In this context, financial technology (fintech) companies are emerging as strategic allies, helping businesses streamline cross-border cash flows and manage costs more effectively. A notable example is 9Pay - one of the few entities licensed by the State Bank of Vietnam to provide cross-border payment services.

Currently, 9Pay is partnering with major banks to develop its international money transfer solution, 9Remit, supporting foreign businesses in connecting seamlessly with the Vietnamese market and enabling transparent cash flow circulation.

Unlike many traditional financial models that rely heavily on manual processes, 9Pay integrates AI-powered tools to assist in document and operation processing. This technology not only helps both parties optimize human resources but, more importantly, enhances overall supply chain efficiency.

Another key advantage of 9Pay lies in its competitive exchange rate policies, enabling partners to better control transaction costs. Operationally, 9Pay has also established a 24/7 international support model, ensuring uninterrupted payment processes — a level of service not all financial institutions in Vietnam can guarantee. Furthermore, the company is actively developing a robust technology platform to support transaction management for its partners.

Cost optimization: A foundation for sustainable competitiveness

In today’s global value chain, where every link faces pressures of speed and cost, effective control over international payments is a long-term competitive edge. Collaborating with fintech companies not only reduces expenses but also increases transparency and operational autonomy.

With its commitment to “Global Payment - Local Trust”, 9Pay delivers a powerful payment solution that helps international partners access the Vietnamese market faster, more securely, and with greater cost control.

Read more:

• Cross-border payments in supply chains: The new backbone of global trade