Bahrain — PLDT Global Corp., the international arm of PLDT Inc., has expanded its collaboration with stc Pay Bahrain, the fintech subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company (stc), to make cross-border digital giving easier for the Filipino community in Bahrain.
The partnership enables users to perform direct e-wallet cash-ins and digital purchases for their families in the Philippines through the stc Pay app. The service is powered by PLDT Global’s Vortex platform, which supports secure and seamless cross-border digital transactions, marking a major step forward in digital inclusion for overseas Filipinos.
“This partnership brings digital convenience to our fellow Filipinos abroad and positions PLDT Global as a trusted partner of fintech leaders like stc Pay Bahrain,” said Albert V. Villa-Real, President and CEO of PLDT Global. “We’re committed to delivering borderless solutions that empower and care for Filipinos wherever they are.”
Through this integration, users in Bahrain can now fund Philippine e-wallets, send e-gift vouchers, and will soon gain access to expanded features such as Philippine mobile load purchases, content subscriptions via Pilipinas Live, and the Smart Virtual Number (SVN)—a SIM-less mobile solution that allows overseas Filipinos to receive OTPs and make free calls to Philippine hotlines like DMW-OWWA 1348 and the 1343 Anti-Human Trafficking Actionline.
Metin Zavrak, CEO of stc Pay Bahrain, said the initiative strengthens their connection with the Filipino community:
“With PLDT Global’s support, we’re expanding our subscriber base by connecting more deeply with the Filipino community in Bahrain. This is a key step in our journey to become a leading digital lifestyle enabler in the region.”
The two companies first partnered earlier this year to enhance remittance and payment services for Filipinos across the Middle East. This latest expansion underscores their shared goal of simplifying cross-border financial access and fostering greater digital empowerment for overseas workers.
