KUALA LUMPUR : Public Bank Bhd, Malaysia's third-biggest bank, is joining hands with China's e-commerce giant Alibaba Group to introduce merchants here to use Alipay mobile wallet services.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Alipay’s parent Ant Financial, the world's biggest financial technology start-up. We will roll out Alipay service to our existing merchant partners,” said Public Bank managing director Tan Sri Tay Ah Lek.
Alipay users in China is currently use e-wallet services on mobile phones to hail taxis, book hotels, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make doctors appointments and manage their finances.
Launch in 2004, there are now some 520 million active Alipay users. The numbers are growing rapidly as Chinese tourists prefer to shop using Alipay cashless service outside of China.
Todate, Alipay services is available at more than 200,000 retail chains across the world.
Tax reimbursement via Alipay is being used in 24 countries and this convenient cashless payment platform also supports 19 currencies.
Through this collaboration, Public Bank noted Alipay services is available at all outlets of Degem Collection, Eu Yang Sang, Lazo Diamond, L’Occitane, Malindo Airways, Star Cruise, Swiss Luxury Watch & Jewelry, The Swatch Group, Vitacare Pharmacy and many other shopping venues frequented by tourists from China.
Alipay southeast Asia general manager Daylong Zhang was present at the media conference today, together with Alipay Malaysia country head Greta Gunawan and Public Bank deputy chief executive officer Datuk Chang Kat Kiam.
Alipay’s presence in Malaysia is becoming more popular.
Just last month, CIMB Group Holdings Bhd announced its unit Touch 'n Go Sdn Bhd is partnering Alipay to facilitate cashless payment.
Millions of Malaysians are already using 'Touch 'n Go' cards daily to pay for road tolls, bus fares, parking and shopping.
Through this partnership with Alipay, Touch ‘n Go would see see new business growth from consumers making cashless payment via their smartphones.