New Delhi :  The Western Union Company , a global leader in money transfer services and India’s Department of Post (DoP) – a Government of India  Organisation today announced further commitment of their long-standing collaboration under a renewed agreement. Western Union’s current India network of more than 1,11,000* Agent

locations, is the company’s largest single-country network globally. This includes the India Post network of 9,942 Post Office locations, many of which are in the remotest parts of India.  . As part of this agreement, consumers in these low-access parts of India will continue to enjoy the convenience of receiving their money through Western Union, at the post offices of India Post.

Western Union’s  14-year relationship with India Post, which is the world’s largest postal network, is an exceptional example of a successful public private collaboration that plays a crucial role in the advancement of financial inclusion in India. This long term relationship has been successful in developing a conducive financial eco-system and creating a positive impact on the lives of Indians, often in areas where only few other financial institutions have  their presence.

“India Post is a name to be reckoned with when seeking consumer trust, reliability and reach. Through India Post, we are able to provide financial access to millions of people across India with utmost convenience. This collaboration is a cornerstone of Western Union’s India strategy of ubiquity and financial inclusion.” said Mr. Kiran Shetty, Managing Director and Regional Vice President, Western Union India.

Mr. L. N. Sharma, DDG (Financial Services), India Post said; “We are happy to extend our association with Western Union as we have seen how it continues to benefit our valued consumers. Western Union’s extensive global network enables people in countries around the world to support their families even in remote parts of India. This, combined with their strong credibility, makes Western Union the perfect associate for enhancing financial inclusion and driving progress for Indian families.”

Globally, Western Union has been associated with around 100 Postal Organizations, predominantly offering money transfer services to rural and interior areas. Across South Asia, Post Offices in general and Post Masters in particular serve an important influencing role for villagers and community elders. Consequently, financial services offered through Post Offices are well regarded among consumers who  frequently visit these locations.

*Network data as of March 31, 2015.