Astra Tech’s Botim & Tencent Financial Technology launch remittances in China

By Gloria Mathias

Astra Tech, MENA’s consumer technology holding group, has partnered with Tencent Financial Technology to introduce cross-border remittances from Botim’s users in the UAE to Weixin users in China.

This collaboration eliminates traditional boundaries, enabling PayBy-powered Botim users to make international transfers via the Botim Messenger platform directly to over 1 billion Weixin users.

Together with the exclusive ShareLink feature on Weixin, users can effortlessly notify recipients with one click after each remittance. Recipients in China can easily receive funds through Weixin messages, monitor remittance status, and choose to receive funds using Weixin Wallet Balance or bank cards linked to Weixin Pay.

Facilitating cross-border remittances within the Botim Ultra App to Weixin marks a monumental milestone in user convenience and the realm of cross-border transactions. This collaboration simplifies international remittances, eliminates app-switching inconveniences, reduces friction, and enhances user satisfaction.

Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Co-Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, stated, “Our partnership with Tencent Financial Technology is a testament to the boundless potential of technology and our shared vision of empowering users globally. By bridging continents and enabling seamless financial interactions, we pioneer a new era of cross-platform financial inclusion. This also elevates the UAE’s status as a global tech and finance powerhouse, reaffirming our commitment to simplifying our users’ everyday experiences.”

Royal Chen, Vice President of Tencent Financial Technology, said, “Partnering with Botim marks an important milestone in our journey to enhance the global cross-border remittance experience, which is to make sending remittance as easy as sending a message while ensuring that transactions are safe, secure, and compliant. By connecting Botim and Weixin users through remittance and messenger functions, it creates a unique remittance experience across the two platforms.”

In regions where traditional banking services face limitations, this integration paves the way for financial inclusion, making financial transactions more accessible and cost-effective. It empowers Botim users without traditional bank accounts to conduct financial transactions with ease, promoting accessibility and empowerment.