The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORTER

Western Union, the world's leader in global money transfer services, has announced a new fee for money transfers made from the United Arab Emirates to Bangladesh. Western Union consumers sending money to Bangladesh will now be charged AED 15 for money transfers of amounts up to AED1500, and AED25 for amounts above AED1500 and up to AED11 000. For amounts over AED11 000, customers will be charged an additional AED35 for every AED1850 sent. Consumers are able to benefit from the new rates since September 2008.

Jean-Claude Farah, Regional Vice President for Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Western Union Financial Services, said: "We hope that the reduced service fee offers more opportunities for those who support their relatives, friends and partners by sending money with Western Union's fast, reliable and convenient money transfer service. We especially want to demonstrate our commitment to the Bangladeshi expatriate community residing in the UAE and I am sure that the new rate comes as an added bonus."

Expatriates using Western Union to send money to Bangladesh benefit not only from the new fees, but also from a reliable money-transfer process that is protected using state-of-the-art technology. Keeping the customer's convenience as a priority, money transferred via Western Union is available for pick-up within minutes* from the over 3200 Western Union Agent locations across Bangladesh.

Western Union's Agent network in Bangladesh includes National Bank Limited, AB Bank Limited, BRAC Bank Limited, Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited, Southeast Bank Limited, Prime Bank Limited, United Commercial Bank Limited, Bank Asia, Rupali Bank Limited, Bangladesh Post Office, BRAC BOP, Shahjalal Islami Bank Limited, One Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited, First Security Bank Limited, BURO Bangladesh and ASA. The Western Union Money Transfer service is available at Agent locations in all 64 districts and in 485 of the 494 Upazilas in the country.

Western Union's expansive network established in cooperation with banks, NGOs and post offices, helps to serve both the furthest sub-urban and rural corners of Bangladesh.

Western Union's international reach together with Bangladesh's extensively established network within the country will help Bangladeshi citizens benefit from world-class money transfer service and stay connected with their loved ones across the world.

In the United Arab Emirates, the Western Union Money Transfer service is available in more than 400 Agent locations operating through the following financial institutions: AI Ansari Exchange, AI Fuad Exchange, AI Ghurair Exchange, AI Razouki International Exchange, Alukkas Exchange, Emirates India International Exchange, Emirates Post, Habib Exchange, Lari Exchange, National Exchange, Orient Exchange, Travelex Emirates, UAE Exchange, Wall Street Exchange, and Redha AI Ansari Exchange.