MOL Global Bhd. has inked a deal with Facebook to enable Asian consumers to purchase virtual goods, such as online games and applications, using the U.S.-based social network, the Malaysia-based online-payments provider announced recently.
Under the agreement, announced July 8, MOL Global’s wholly owned subsidiary MOL AccessPortal Bhd. will become a payment provider for Facebook Credits, which enable users to buy and spend virtual currency in more than 150 applications on Facebook, eliminating the need to enter payment details separately for each application. The deal, which takes effect this month, will enable Facebook members to buy credits using MOLPoints on Facebook and on MOL’s website, MOL.com.
Facebook users also in the coming months will be able to obtain credits using MOL points purchased through MOL’s network of more than 500,000 outlets, which are located primarily in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, India, Australia and New Zealand. In addition, customers will be able to purchase credits through MOL’s network of online banks in these countries.
Facebook and MOL also will offer cobranded prepaid gift cards at outlets in Malaysia and Singapore consumers may redeem for Facebook Credits.
MOL Global owns 100% of both the payment-service provider MOL AccessPortal and the Friendster Inc. social network, which has 115 million members worldwide. MOL handles over 60 million transactions with an annual payment volume of US$200 million, according to the company.
