First Data and GlobalCollect extended their strategic alliance to help customers expand into Asia's rapidly growing e-commerce markets of Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

First Data Merchant Solutions, First Data's direct-to-market merchant acquiring business, will support GlobalCollect's growth in online travel, hospitality and retail operations into Asia, one of the world's fastest growing markets for e-commerce revenues.

Marc Mathenz, senior vice-president and head of First Data in APAC, said that the collaborative relationship will provide GlobalCollect's merchant customers with access to First Data Merchant Solutions' regional payment network, enabling fast, secure and reliable transactions throughout Asia.

Singapore and Malaysia represent the largest e-commerce industries of Southeast Asia, generating almost 50% of total online retail sales in the region, despite these two countries accounting for only 8% of the Southeast Asian population. E-commerce volume in Singapore alone is expected to reach US$4.4 billion by 2015.

"First Data Merchant Solutions and GlobalCollect both have strong capabilities in payments, and together can offer travel, hospitality and retail industries a full suite of products and services, combined with First Data's strong, robust and scalable platform," said Mathenz.

"This deal broadens an already global partnership between GlobalCollect and First Data that goes back eight years, and further strengthens GlobalCollect's capabilities in Southeast Asia. We're seeing a lot of demand for full service acquiring and processing capabilities in Asia-Pacific, and with First Data Merchant Solutions' strong position in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, we will further enhance our customers' opportunities to grow into this exciting region," said Mark Patrick, general manager Asia- Pacific for GlobalCollect.