CM: State exploring tie-up between Sarawak Pay, China’s UnionPay
SIBU: The Sarawak government is looking to expand Sarawak Pay, the state’s mobile payment platform, to China, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
According to him, the government is exploring an alliance with China’s UnionPay that would allow those travelling to China to use Sarawak Pay.
“In China, even when drinking coffee, the people use mobile payment to settle their bill. They have UnionPay in China and in Singapore.
“We are talking about having the alliance…(when) you go to China, you can use Sarawak Pay the moment we have this agreement with UnionPay,” he said when attending a business dialogue session, here yesterday.
The session was organised by Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) Sibu Region and attended by some 400 people.
Abang Johari also called on businesses in Sarawak to update their fi nancial infrastructure to incorporate technology in their business transactions.
He noted that retail banking is gradually fading as more people turn to mobile banking, saying it was one of the reasons why the Sarawak government chose to introduce Sarawak Pay.
“One could even sell vegetables using this mobi le payment platform and receive immediate payment,” he said.
During the dialogue session, Abang Johari revealed that the state has placed an order for a Cessna-type aircraft to transport vegetables and other agriculture produce to Singapore and other regional markets.
“We have ordered (the plane) but the manufacturer said it (the order) is still in queue. If the queue (waiting list) is very long, maybe we have no alternative but to use other planes first,” he said.
Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( SCCI) president Datuk Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg also spoke at the dialogue session which had SCCI Sibu Region chairman Datuk Jason Tai Hee as moderator.
Among those present were Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapaee, Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Sibu Resident Charles Siaw, and United Chinese Association ( UCA) Sibu president Ngieng Ping Sing.