Boost and U Mobile partner UnionPay to expand digital payment options in Malaysia

UnionPay International (UPI) has tied up with Malaysian e-wallets?U Mobile's GoPayz?and Boost to offer greater ease and convenience of payment to Malaysian consumers.

UPI's partnership with GoPayz enables users to make?digital payments locally and overseas by using the new UnionPay Virtual Card available on the app. GoPayz users can make payments by scanning the merchant-presented QR code to enjoy various promotions at participating UnionPay QR merchants worldwide. GoPayz users also have the option of paying with their GoPayz UnionPay physical card. GoPayz is also looking into enabling NFC payment on the app soon so users can easily make payments locally and overseas with a simple tap of their mobile phones on the point-of-sale terminals at over 19 million UnionPay mobile contactless merchants in 38 countries and regions.

In addition to the e-wallet payment features, GoPayz UnionPay Cardholders can enjoy a wide variety of UnionPay privileges. Users will also be able to collect GoPointz rewards points for selected transactions made using GoPayz and also receive surprise rewards for applicable transactions. The accumulated GoPointz can be redeemed for rewards found in GoPayz?s rewards catalogue, which will be available before the end of this year.

Meanwhile as part of the UPI-Boost partnership roadmap,?users will be able to make payment with the Boost app at over 16 million UnionPay QR merchants in 32 countries and regions including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Australia in future. Meanwhile in Malaysia, Boost users can use the app to make QR code payments at merchants nationwide, including Old Town White Coffee, Putien, GNC, be Duty Free, Colours & Fragrances,?Dimensi Eksklusif, and Orange Convenience Store. Boost is offering the first 180,000 users who activate UnionPay QR payment on their app by 31 December 2019 an instant RM3 cashback.

(Read also: U Mobile humanises new GoPayz e-wallet with Bawang Boy mascot)

Mohd Khairil Abdullah, CEO of Boost, said the company hopes that with more cashless payment options, it can further encourage?new and existing users to go cashless. "This will support the government?s roadmap to create a cashless society while driving financial inclusion among Malaysians,? he said.

Meanwhile, U Mobile's CEO Wong Heang Tuck said it envisions?a fintech ecosystem that is accessible to and inclusive for all. "Our partnership with UnionPay opens up the gateway beyond Malaysia and creates opportunities for GoPayz users to pay seamlessly wherever they are with their mobile phones, in line with Malaysians? increasingly connected and digital lifestyle," he added.

?The partnerships with Boost and GoPayz not only enable us to bring the convenience of mobile payments to more Malaysian consumers, it also opens up new channels for them to enjoy greater ease of digital payments in key destinations around the world in future,? said Wenhui Yang, GM, UnionPay International Southeast Asia.

UPI has been expanding its footprint in Malaysia in recent years, with more than 90% of merchants now accepting payment via UnionPay Cards. According to the company, the number of UnionPay Cards issued in Malaysia more than doubled in 2019. Last month,?Sarawak?s mobile payment platform, Sarawak Pay, announced it is rebranding to ?S Pay? in an effort to reach global consumers. Sarawak Pay also partnered UnionPay to ensure that its account holders are able to use the payment medium in all UnionPay-accepting countries beginning November, including Singapore.