Ant Group, a Chinese financial affiliate of the Alibaba Group, has not yet formally applied for a permit to operate its Alipay+ service in Indonesia, according to Filianingsih Hendarta, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia.
According to Reuters, Hendarta clarified the status following reports that Ant Group was seeking regulatory guidance to launch its cross-border payment service in the country during a news conference on Wednesday (24 April 2024).
Despite recent discussions with Indonesian officials, including a meeting with the country’s communications minister, a formal request to operate Alipay+ within Indonesia has yet to be submitted to the central bank.
Hendarta noted that Peng Yang, the CEO of Ant Group’s international business, had expressed intentions to seek guidance from Bank Indonesia on the operational requirements.
She also mentioned that companies often engage in pre-consultative meetings with the central bank before officially applying for operational permits.
The discussions come as Ant Group looks to expand its international footprint by integrating Alipay+ into the Indonesian market, aiming for a launch within the year. However, as of now, the formal regulatory process has not been initiated.
Alipay+, which was launched in 2020, aims to facilitate international transactions for users by integrating different global e-wallets and services, allowing seamless payments across borders.