Western Union ties up with Post PNG

Western Union has partnered  with  Post PNG to boost its  money transfer services  in the country and  overseas.
This means that Western Union will be using all Post PNG outlets , or post offices, of about 32 around the country to operate its money transfer business.
 At present, Western Union  is using Bank South Pacific to run its business in the country, with  at  least four outlets  in Port Moresby.
On the other hand, the partnership will enable PNG citizens and expatriates to send money to and from any post office in the country.
It also enables expatriates to send money overseas.
Tasko Alcevski, WU regional director for New Zealand and Pacific, when launching the partnership, said: “With the largest money transfer network in the world in over 420,000 locations in more than 200 countries, WU aims to deliver excellent service, not only in cities but in rural areas close to where our customers live and work.
“Our mission is to provide convenient, fast and reliable financial link for foreign and migrants workers as a trusted means to send hard-earned money to loved ones back home.”
Alcevski stressed that with the addition of 32 post offices in PNG, WU would double its service in the country once Port PNG roles out to all their online branches.
He said the growth of the mining industry and other extractive industries had increased the number of foreign workers in PNG and had  fuelled the need for international money transfer service.
“By joining forces with Post PNG, our local service has been elevated, providing us better coverage in all areas of the country, including remotes ones,” he said.
Post PNG managing director Peter Maiden lauded WU for being the first non-banking institution to obtain a licence from the Bank of PNG to operate in the country in partnership with Post PNG.
The service is just like Post PNG’s salim moni kwik services.
It does not  require a bank account or any valid account.
All one has to do is go to a Western Union counter, fill out the appropriate form for sending or receiving money and lodge it along with a valid ID like driver’s licence or a passport.
A standard set of fees will be charged for money sent, but no fees charged for money received.
“It only takes a few minutes to send, and once sent electronically, the money is immediately available for the recipient to claim,” Maiden said.