Alipay extends reach to eZ Cash points in partnership with Dialog Axiata

Wednesday, 28 November 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

From left: Dialog Axiata Product Manager – Mobile Money and Payment Safraz Razeek, Dialog Axiata Vice President – Digital Services Fariq Cader, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe, Alipay Cross-border Business, South and Southeast Asia General Manager Dr. Cherry Huang, Alipay Country Manager – Singapore Melvin Ooi, and Dialog Axiata Mobile Money and Digital Services Operations Senior General Manager Janaka Jayalath

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, partnered China’s leading third-party online payment solution, Alipay, to extend the eZ Cash platform to Chinese tourists in Sri Lanka.

Through its first partnership in Sri Lanka, Alipay intends to expand reach by leveraging Dialog’s multiple merchants and touchpoints, extending payment services to Chinese visitors in Sri Lanka.

With over 700 million active registered users in mainland China, Alipay is an alternative cashless payment system predominantly used by Chinese public and offers the convenience of payment services without the need for large amounts of cash. Alipay, the Alibaba affiliated mobile payments arm of China’s Ant Financial Services Group, is the highest valued Fintech company in the world and continues to follow Chinese tourists, with its most recent expansion to enter Sri Lanka through a strategic partnership with Dialog.

Alipay will leverage Dialog’s 20,000 strong eZ Cash retail partner network across Sri Lanka. The Alipay mobile wallet service will now be available at merchants to cater to the needs of Alipay users from China, who frequently travel and shop in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the exchange of agreements, Alipay Cross-border Business in South and Southeast Asia General Manager Dr. Cherry Huang said, “The partnership with Dialog will enable Alipay payment acceptance at a large base of local merchants, creating opportunities for local merchants to better target the large number of visiting Chinese tourists and expatriates living in Sri Lanka.”

Commenting on the partnership Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said, “We are pleased to welcome Alipay and become the first mobile payment service provider to facilitate Alipay customers with their payments in Sri Lanka, eliminating the hassle of converting currency. As the digital payment landscape continues to grow rapidly in Sri Lanka, Dialog will further explore opportunities that strengthen our leadership in the space while expanding the larger payment eco system.”