WhatsApp is reportedly in talks with a number of digital payment companies, to offer its mobile transaction services.
Utilizing the e-commerce sector, so one reason for the inclusion of this service. If so, Indonesian will become the second country in the world visited by WhatsApp mobile payment services.
Quoted from an exclusive Reuters report on Tuesday (8/20/2019), unlike in India which is planned to offer direct peer-to-peer payment services, WhatsApp in Indonesia will only act as a support platform for e-wallet or local digital wallet which already exists, through licensing regulation.
So far, in India, the service is awaiting local government approval. In this country which is WhatsApp's biggest market, the approval process must be delayed because it must follow regulations related to data storage locally.
"The model adopted in Indonesia will become a WhatsApp template for other developing market countries to adopt, to work around regulations related to foreign players making their own digital wallets," the Reuters source said.
The value of the e-commerce industry in Indonesia is predicted to triple to USD 100 billion in 2025. On the other hand, the country also has some very strict digital payment regulations.
WhatsApp is currently in advanced talks with several digital payment companies including the GoJek ride sharing service, the mobile payment company supported by Ant Financial China, Dana, and the Lippo Group's Ovo fintech startup.
"WhatsApp is in discussions with a number of partners in Indonesia regarding this matter. This discussion is still at an early stage. We cannot inform you further at this time," a Facebook spokesman said.
In connection with this report, Reuters said the GoJek refused to comment. While Dana, Ovo and Mandiri Bank have not yet responded.
This service is planned to be available at the end of 2019. But Reuters sources say, this plan is estimated to be delayed several months, considering WhatsApp does not want to launch in Indonesia ahead of India. After all, WhatsApp still has to go through an operational permit approval process from Bank Indonesia regulators.
