SmartTrans pushes into China with former Aus ambassador

Australian online and mobile payments systems developer SmartTrans has scored a coup in its China expansion ambitions, securing former Australian Ambassador to China Dr Geoff Raby as chairman of the company.

Dr Raby remained in Beijing as a business consultant after retiring from the diplomatic corps last August and joined the company's board last year to assist with the group's rapidly growing business pursuits in China.

"Geoff Raby is better placed than any other Australian to advance the company's interests in China, " said SmartTrans retiring chairman John Forsyth. Raby served as Australian Ambassador to the People's Republic of China from February 2007 until August 2011.

ASX listed SmartTrans has been focused on developing its business in China for the past four years after securing significant foothold deals during the Beijing Olympics. The company retains its software development hub in Melbourne.

In the last year, the technology company has finalised new contracts with China Mobile and UnionPay and now provides the mobile software and website for China's State Lotteries, the country's only legalized gaming body.

In April, the mobile software developer scored a break through deal with Beijing Digitone Telecom which included preloading its MyLife software on all Android Smartphones sold by Digitone’s retailer D.Phone with an initial 1,000,000 unit run.

D.Phone, the country’s largest mobile chain, distributes from approximately 2,000 stores. According to D.Phone, up to 55% of the seven million phones that it sells each year are smartphones. Using the SmartTrans billing platform, mobile customers can transact via mobile or online on a range of services. ®