Mobilink, Citibank Join Hands to Promote M-commerce

Mobilink today signed an agreement with Citibank N.A Pakistan (“Citi”), to promote and facilitate the growth of mobile commerce in Pakistan.

Under the agreement, Citi will utilize Mobilink’s extensive retail infrastructure to extend the reach of financial services to the previously un-reached masses starting initially at select pilot locations followed by nation-wide launch in line with State Bank of Pakistan’s guidelines.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Rashid Khan, President and CEO, Mobilink commented, “89 percent of the people in Pakistan continue to remain un-served by traditional banking channels due to various limitations. Our aim is to facilitate their access to financial services, which will in turn enhance their economic participation – a key driver in social development. Our partnership with Citi will enable us to create a robust, secure and convenient mobile commerce environment that will take the mobile banking experience to the next level.”

“We continue to innovate and spearhead transformation of conventional banking,” said Arif Usmani, CCO & Managing Director of Citi, Pakistan. “Our partnership with Mobilink will enable the public to make convenient and secure payments “literally” at the touch of a button. We are committed to the State Bank of Pakistan’s vision of reaching out to the un-banked population and believe that financial services offered via mobile phones will have a positive impact on our economy”.

Using Mobilink’s cutting edge technology, customers will be able to open branchless bank accounts with Citibank through a quick and convenient registration process via authorized retailers across the country. The service will allow customers to maintain their accounts through their mobile phones make secure peer to peer transfers to any Mobilink number and withdraw or deposit cash from any of the supported Mobilink franchises and Customer Care Centers across the country simply via SMS.

Mobilink and Citi envision taking this partnership further by using this platform to empower subscribers to avail and repay loans, purchase goods and services, pay bills, buy airtime and a host of other services using their cell phones. Such services will further Mobilink’s vision of “reshaping lives” of the people of Pakistan by providing unparalleled benefits that were previously available only to a limited section of the society.

As a pioneer heralding the onset of “Mobile Currency” in Pakistan, Mobilink is the only mobile operator to have made headway in the m-commerce arena. Earlier this year, Mobilink launched its Mobile Money Order (MMO) Service in partnership with Pakistan Post. The first and only service of its kind in the country, MMO is already available in 37 cities (73 outlets) across Pakistan. Mobilink is also the first and only mobile operator to have launched a mobile payments solution in Pakistan under the brand name of Mobilink Genie enabling customers to access their bank accounts from their mobile phones and make mobile payments.