CAIRO - Last week witnessed the introduction of two new payment processing services in Egypt from two competing companies ironically at the same day, same time. On one hand, Bee announced the official launch of its services in the Egyptian market. Bee Smart Payment Solutions will be providing a unique ‘one-window, one-stop' means to the Egyptians to pay different services through a nationwide integrated network of outlets and payment points and at no additional fees for its current services. “Bee is in the business of providing the able technology to transform any selling point; be it small merchants, supermarkets, pharmacies, bookstores, kiosks or even persons into a Bee payment collection point; AKA Bee Agent. Our Bee agents will be equipped with reliable, secure and fast payment solutions where any Bee user can settle bills, pre paid lines and subscription to various services, within seconds and at no collection cost.” said Alex Lyon, Managing Director, Bee Egypt. “Egypt is a substantial market in the region where we expect to thrive with our unrivalled payment solutions, a long list of existing and potential partners which make the portfolio of different services Bee continues to cover, the extensive network of outlets which will amount to 10,000 agents throughout the country by the beginning of next year, not to mention the additional services we will introduce to our users,” added Lyon. The new solution helps service providers to increase revenue streams, enhance payment networks, collect payments easily and cut costs effectively. “We've signed contracts with mobile operators and internet service providers as “Mobinil”, “Etisalat Egypt” and “LinkDotNet” by means of which; Bee users will be able to settle their mobile line bill or recharge their prepaid line or pay their DSL subscription at any Bee payment point,” said Mohamed Abu Khadra, the Senior Marketing Manager, Bee Egypt. Bee plans to invest around LE100 million in the Egyptian market, over the coming two ��" three years, to help drive long term local sustainable development growth via its innovative payment solutions. “Bee seeks to increase its number of employees as well as its prospective investments through adopting an integrated strategy and introducing new technological concepts to the Egyptian market within the coming period. The company teamed up with one of the major online gaming providers to finally bring Egyptians of all age the opportunity to enjoy their gaming experience without stopping for lack of payment means that are essential to proceed,” Lyon concluded. “We have signed up with ìPetro-Tradeî whose Gas bill collectors will use our Bee equipments and its customised software to the doorstep of Bee clients served with diligence, promptness and ultimate care, and we are currently negotiating contracts with other governmental bodies, Egyptian banks and telecommunications companies,” he added. On the other hand, MasterCard Worldwide has teamed up with Fawry, the nationwide Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment (EBPP) network, to launch MasterCard Bill Pay services to enable MasterCard cardholders to use their cards for bill payments and mobile top-up via Fawryís retail network. MasterCard cardholders can now settle their Internet, mobile and fixed line bills and also utilise the top-up payment services through Fawry-MasterCard enabled retail locations across Egypt. “Recognising the need to continue providing our customers with innovative payment options, we worked closely with MasterCard to offer cardholders a new and convenient method for bill payments,” said Ashraf Sabry, the CEO of Fawry. “The launch of MasterCard Bill Pay services on the Fawry network allows us to offer consumers increased flexibility and trust in the service.” This is the first time the service has been introduced in Egypt and MasterCard cardholders will be the first to enjoy this fast, easy, secure and convenient bill payment channel. MasterCard and Fawry opted to launch this service in Egypt as a key market in the Middle East and Africa regions. “MasterCard is dedicated to bringing innovative payment solutions to the Egyptian market where electronic payments are constantly growing. We recognised the opportunity to collaborate with Fawry to introduce MasterCard Bill Pay service in Egypt. We therefore addressed the needs of Egyptian consumers, who are always on the move, and require more flexible and secure payment options to make their daily payments,” said Magdy Hassan, the Vice-President and Country Manager, Egypt, MasterCard Worldwide. “Acceptance is a critical pillar of the MasterCard payment model and we are committed to expanding points of acceptance for the convenience of local MasterCard cardholders through multiple channels.”
