Worldline targets Chile transport, healthcare sectors

French e-payment services provider 7644 Worldline is aiming to boost its presence in Chile's transport and healthcare sectors, according to the company's sales director for the country, Benhel Sarce.

The firm sees strong opportunities to expand e-payment solutions in the nation's public transport system.

Capital city Santiago's metro service is due to expand significantly in the coming years, and opportunities will also arise in other Chilean cities as they move to modernise their local transport systems, according to the executive.

The company is also aiming to increase its presence in the country's public healthcare system by offering solutions – such as electronic patient record systems – for hospitals and primary care centres.

More generally, Worldline is working to provide e-payment services to banks and retailers, including solutions to facilitate m-payments, Sarce added.

Chile's high level of smartphone penetration makes it a highly attractive market for mobile payment technologies such as m-wallets or NFC, according to Sarce. The country is still a relatively small business unit for Worldline, but the possibility of closing some large projects there means that growth expectations are very high, he added.