Singapore-based blockchain services provider EVX Holdings,
Pte. Ltd., operating as Everex, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Lao Development Bank (LDB) to develop and implement blockchain technology
for cross-border payments and trade finance.
At a ceremony attended by senior executives of LDB and Everex,
Phoutsala Omdalah, deputy managing director of LDB, said in his opening statement:
“Blockchain technologies enable banks to transact faster and cheaper. LDB’s mission is to contribute to Lao’s financial sector and by utilizing this new technology, we can achieve progress for Laos, the banking sector and for Lao people.”
According to Tim Scheffmann, regional managing director of
Everex, adopting blockchain will not only benefit Laos and also its neighboring
countries.
“Due to its strategic position, Laos is well suited for digital border trade transactions in combination with migrant workers’ remittances and financial inclusion,” Scheffmann noted. “Blockchain technology can reduce transaction costs, increase security and transaction speed. This will increase the nation’s GDP and trade volumes.”
The agreement with LDB comes at a time when Everex is aggressively
expanding across the Southeast Asian region. In April, the startup announced
that it had received the green light from the Thai central bank to deploy an
Ethereum-powered cross-border remittance platform to establish “payment
connectivity” between Thailand and Myanmar.
The initiative, dubbed the Krungthai and Shwe Remittance
project, involves Krungthai Bank (KTB) from Thailand and Shwe Bank from
Myanmar.
Everex, which specializes in blockchain-powered payment solutions including cross-border money transfers, merchant payments and currency exchange, worked alongside KTB and Shwe Bank to develop a service that allows customers to transfer money anywhere in Thailand, at anytime with competitive foreign exchange rates.