First Global Signs Definitive Agreement for Mobile Payments for Chinese Vacationers in USA
TSX Venture Exchange: FGD Frankfurt Stock Exchange: 1G5
TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - First Global Data ("First Global" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce that it has entered into a Definitive Agreement with China Smartpay to deliver cross border payment solutions for Chinese vacation travelers and students studying overseas. On September 26, 2017 the Company announced that it had entered into a binding MOU with China Smartpay.
First Global's implementation team has also recently returned from Shanghai and is working closely with China Smart Pay to implement the solution.
The service will allow WeChat users in China to travel to the United States, shop at a US retail location, and purchase goods using the funds on their WeChat mobile wallet. There are close to 1 billion users on the WeChat mobile platform globally and as noted in the September 26, 2017 press release, in 2015 "Chinese shoppers bought almost half of the world's luxury goods"…"The outbound Chinese tourist numbers reached 120 million in 2015"…and "Chinese consumers spent 1.2 trillion yuan ($183 billion)". According to Fung Global Retail and Tech (https://www.fungglobalretailtech.com/research/global-chinese-shoppers-carry-spending-momentum-2016/). By 2020, they estimate that "186 million Chinese tourists will travel overseas"…and that "their total overseas spending will reach US$349 billion per year."
First Global, through its money transmitter licenses will ensure that each transaction complies with US regulatory guidelines. In addition, First Global will be responsible for retrieving the consumer funds from their mobile wallets and settling all transactions with the US based merchants. Merchants will pay First Global a percentage of the gross dollar value of the goods purchased, which is the existing model used for purchases made with credit cards today. First Global will share revenues with China Smartpay.
"The US is one of the most frequented countries for Chinese vacationers. The benefit for US retailers can be significant as this provides them with access to a relatively new and very large base of shoppers. In addition, retailers will benefit from accepting payments from the leading edge mobile payment service implemented by First Global. Deploying services in the USA is intended to be phase 1 and we will keep our shareholders updated as the project evolves. From my perspective, this initiative fits our Company like a glove. It leverages our cross-border capability, access to very large consumer base, our licenses, and is within our mobile centric payments and transactional revenue focus", said Andre Itwaru, Chairman and CEO of First Global Data Limited.
About China Smartpay (www.chinasmartpay.com/en)
China Smartpay is China's leading payment solutions company. The China Smartpay Group Holdings (8325.HK) is a Hong Kong-listed company which is engaged in smart payment and internet finance. The company owns the nationwide prepaid card license and internet payment license, and possesses leading smart POS technology and systems. By cooperating with capable and well-known strategic partners, China Smartpay is able to take a leading position in the payment industry. China Smartpay's payment business will be based on prepaid cards, and expand into internet payment, mobile payment, and P2P, etc. in order to serve customers of various types, and establish a vast real-name account network. In the long term, such account networks will become the platform for integrated and personalized financial services.
About First Global Data Ltd. (www.firstglobaldata.com)
First Global is an international financial services technology ("FINTECH") company. The Company's two main lines of business are mobile payments and cross border payments. First Global's proprietary leading edge technology enables the convergence of compliant domestic and cross border payments, shopping, Peer to Peer ("P2P"), Business to Consumer ("B2C"), and Business to Business ("B2B") payments. First Global enables its strategic partners and clients around the world with our leading edge financial services technology platform.
Caution:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange Inc. ("TSXV") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
The securities offered have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities offered in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
Forward Looking Information:
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Although First Global believes in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because First Global can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. First Global undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of First Global, its securities, or financial or operating results (as applicable). First Global disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE First Global Data Limited
Andre Itwaru, Chairman and CEO, First Global Data Limited, email: [email protected]
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