Thailand
Voyager to bring platforms to other Asian countries
MANILA, Philippines — PLDT Inc.’s digital innovations arm Voyager Innovations Inc. is looking to expand and bring its platforms to two to three countries in Asia, with the first expected to be launched by the second quarter of next year.
“We will have two to three next year,” Voyager president and chief executive officer Orlando Vea told reporters.
He said the company may launch in the first of the two to three new markets in the second quarter of next year.
He declined to say which countries are being considered for the expansion.
Voyager would set up an entity with a local partner in the new markets it would operate in.
Vea said the expansion would not only be for the digital prepaid payments app PayMaya, but may also include making available other platforms of Voyager.
At present, there are eight million account holders of PayMaya and the mobile wallet Smart Money.
Aside from PayMaya, Voyager has other platforms which seek to serve the unconnected and unbanked markets.
In particular, Voyager offers PayMaya Business Solutions which allows businesses to accept card and mobile payments for both online and face-to-face transactions.
Voyager is also behind digital lending platform Lendr which allows bank and non-bank partners to extend their reach via mobile and digital.
Through Voyager’s TackThis! and Takatack services, businesses can easily set up an online shop, while consumers can quickly find products from these merchants.
Earlier, PLDT chairman, president and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said Voyager is looking for strategic partners and it is possible the firm would have a Chinese partner.
Vea declined to comment on the talks with Voyager’s prospective partner, but said the firm expects to benefit in terms of technology, products, management as well as new markets if it gets a partner.
Source: http://www.philstar.com/business/2017/12/11/1767080/voyager-bring-platforms-other-asian-countries