Collectively beneficial
PUBLIC Bank has collaborated with Ant Financial Service Group, an affiliated group of the Alibaba Group. The alliance will bring many advantages and benefits to both Alipay users from China who visit and shop in Malaysia, as well as merchants affiliated with Public Bank in this partnership.
WIN-WIN PARTNERSHIP
The online and mobile payment service will benefit the people from both nations in many ways. These include:
assist new and existing merchants to increase their sales in view of the greater opportunity from the 520 million Alipay active users; provide better customer experience to Alipay users as the service develops to include more merchants and across various sectors; present a safer and seamless method of payment for Alipay users from China; and improve political ties and intercultural relations between the two nations.
FAVOURABLE ALLIANCE
Public Bank managing director Datuk Seri Tay Ah Lek was enthusiastic about the collaboration. Similarly, Alipay’s Southeast Asia general manager Dayong Zhang had this to say: “This partnership will enable payment using Alipay from a large pool of Public Bank’s merchant base and will ultimately create opportunities for local merchants to gain from the large number of Chinese tourists coming to Malaysia.”
An event at Menara Public Bank was held recently, to launch the new service application. Gracing the event were Tay and Zhang, as well as the bank’s deputy CEO Datuk Chang Kat Kiam, Alipay Malaysia country head Greta Gunawan and other management and employees of the bank, Ant Financial Services Group and merchant representatives.
Merchants and vendors that will receive Alipay mobile wallet services include all outlets of Degem Collection, Eu Yan Sang, Lazo Diamond Jewellery, L’occitane, Malindo Airways, Star Cruise, Swiss Luxury Watch & Jewelry, The Swatch Group, Vitacare Pharmacy, Starbucks and many more merchant outlets frequented by tourists from China.