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

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, Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager for Alipay Cross-border Business in South and Southeast Asia, 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 Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC 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.”

About Alipay

Operated by Ant Financial Services Group, Alipay is the world’s largest mobile and online payment platform. Launched in 2004, Alipay currently has over 520 million active users duplicated and over 200 domestic financial institution partners. Alipay has evolved from a digital wallet to a lifestyle enabler. Users can hail a taxi, book a hotel, buy movie tickets, pay utility bills, make appointments with doctors, or purchase wealth management products directly from within the app. In addition to online payments, Alipay is expanding to in-store offline payments both inside and outside of China. Over 10 million brick-and-mortar merchants now accept Alipay across China. Alipay’s in-store payment service covers more than 30 countries across the world, and tax reimbursement via Alipay is supported in 24 countries and regions. Alipay works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. Alipay currently supports 27 currencies.