The technology will be demonstrated in Singapore on Wednesday, at the Singapore Fintech Festival which runs till 17 November.

A statement from NEC said the in-store payments would be effected through the use of NEC's face recognition and liveness verification technologies, and Mastercard's payment enablement and optimised user experience.

[Liveness verification refers to the ability to detect that a live face is being presented, and not that of a corpse.]

“As retailing environments continue to evolve and choices in ways to pay rapidly expand, biometric solutions offer a seamless, quick and secure checkout, without needing to unlock a phone or insert a PIN,” said Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber and Intelligence Solutions, Mastercard.

“This partnership with NEC will enable us to bring exciting new biometric payments to customers in countries across Asia Pacific and lead the world in safe and convenient checkout experiences.”

Takao Iwai, corporate senior vice-president and managing director, Financial Solutions Division, NEC Corporation, added: “By utilising NEC's world-class face recognition technology, the new payment system will provide both security and convenience.

“By collaborating with Mastercard, which has payment assets used around the world, NEC will provide a new payment experience, aiming to create a world where everyone can use digital technology with safety.”

Mastercard's biometric checkout was tested in Brazil last year. It requires consumers to either use their faces or else a wave of a card to complete a purchase.

NEC's statement said: "Merchants can benefit from shorter lines, increased security and more hygienic conditions. Additionally, loyalty programs can be integrated in the checkout system, for faster more tailored offers at purchase as part of any successful business strategy.

"Biometrics can play a key role in helping merchants build a more engaging relationship with their customers while driving sales."