PLDT Global Corp., the international arm of PLDT Inc., has expanded its partnership with the stc Group through its fintech arm, stc Pay Bahrain, to make financial transactions easier for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.
Filipinos in Bahrain can now transfer funds directly to their Philippine e-wallets using the stc Pay app. The app also allows users to buy and send e-gift vouchers to family and friends in the Philippines. These features are supported by Vortex, PLDT Global’s digital distribution platform that facilitates secure and reliable transactions.
“This partnership brings digital convenience to our fellow Filipinos abroad and positions PLDT Global as a trusted partner of fintech leaders like stc Pay Bahrain,” said Albert Villa-Real, president and CEO of PLDT Global.
Additional features will be introduced soon on the stc Pay Bahrain app, including the ability to buy Philippine mobile load, subscribe to content on Pilipinas Live, and access the Smart Virtual Number (SVN), a SIM-free Philippine mobile number designed for overseas use. The SVN allows users to receive one-time passwords for online transactions in the Philippines and make free calls to the Department of Migrant Workers-Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (DMW-OWWA) Hotline 1348 and the 1343 Actionline Against Human Trafficking.
“With PLDT Global’s support, we’re expanding our subscriber base by connecting more deeply with the Filipino community in Bahrain,” said Metin Zavrak, CEO of stc Pay Bahrain. “This is a key step in our journey to become a leading digital lifestyle enabler in the region.”
The partnership between PLDT Global and stc Pay Bahrain began earlier this year to improve remittance and payment options for Filipinos in the Middle East.