Fiji takes high-tech approach

Government has adopted new methods and ways of doing business using technology and this includes making Social Welfare Department assistance payments through the electronic deposit pay system.

Finance Ministry permanent secretary Filimone Waqabaca said next on the agenda was the planned payment of salaries and wages through Vodafones M-PAiSA and Digicels Mobile Money systems.
He also challenged representatives from the Reserve Bank, commercial financial institutions and mobile network operators (MNOs) to work towards implementing a system where citizens could access their bank accounts through mobile phones.
Speaking at the final day of the Fiji Institute of Accountants Congress 2012 held in Nadi over the weekend, Mr Waqabaca said the move to embrace technological developments has seen 22,000 people receive bank accounts for the first time.
"Previously unbanked people now have accounts and receive welfare assistance through this. We are now talking to mobile network operators to see how we can pay out salaries and wages through the mobile money platform particularly for people living or working in the maritime and rural areas."

Source : http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=203604