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Paytm Launches Wi-Fi Pilot in India; Enables Free Internet for a Limited Duration
Underlining its digital-first approach, Paytm, India’s largest mobile payments and commerce platform, has announced the launch of its ambitious pilot project to enable seamless internet connectivity for users. Under this initiative, Paytm is enabling limited-duration free Wi-Fi for its users in partnership with a licensed ISP. The first such Wi-Fi initiative is already underway near the Noida-18 metro station in partnership with a licensed ISP.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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India’s Microfinance Industry Puts Crisis Behind It, Thanks to Regulations, Diligent Borrowers
The aroma of flaming gingelly oil wafted through the air as 16 women employees of Thrissurbased Global Chips & Foods braced themselves for another long day at work. A black wooden board, hung on a recently white-washed wall, listed out their day's chores: 20 kilograms of tapioca chips and 20 kgs potato chips.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Philippines’ Tax Bureau Taps Mobile Payment for Tax Collection
The Philippines' Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has partnered with Globe Telecom's GCash mobile money service for its tax collection effort.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, infrastructure
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Janalakshmi, The Largest Microfinance Institution in India, Announces $210M Equity Round
Janalakshmi Financial Services Limited (“Janalakshmi”) today announced a $150 million (INR 10 billion) round of primary equity financing led by global private investment firm TPG. In addition, secondary transactions aggregating $60 million (INR 4 billion) will provide partial exits to existing investors.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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MasterCard Drives New P2P Solution in Bangladesh
In a quartet joining forces to bring mobile cross-border payments to 22 million Bangladeshis, MasterCard is linking up with Western Union, bKash and BRAC bank.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, remittances
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WeChat Proprietor Tencent Seeks $2 Billion Loan for FinTech Expansion
The Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings Ltd, most famous for its WeChat messaging app, is reported to be soliciting a loan that could run as high as two billion dollars in order to deepen its interests in the FinTech sector.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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How Treating Anxiety, Depression Can Help Global Economy
According to the World Health Organisation, every dollar spent on treating anxiety and depression produces a fourfold return in better health and ability to work, which is good for the countries' development and economic growth.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Two Drug Makers Complain India Is Thwarting Licenses for Selling Generics
The controversy over access to medicines took a twist this week when two Indian drug makers disclosed they would no longer seek government licenses to make generic versions of two brand-name medicines. And they cited pressure from the global pharmaceutical industry on the Indian government as their reason for ending their efforts.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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