MoneyGram yesterday announced its network expansion in Bangladesh by tying up with state-owned Sonali Bank, which will now offer the global money transfer company's services at all branches.

The tie-up will increase MoneyGram's network in Bangladesh to more than 6,000 locations, from which customers can pick up money sent from abroad.

“MoneyGram is committed to making its services easy and convenient for all of its customers in Bangladesh and the thousands of expatriates who remit money,” said Sheshagiri Malliah, the company's regional relationship director for South Asia.

“By working with Sonali Bank, our customers will have more choice in when and where to collect MoneyGram transfers,” he said adding that the deal will also strengthen their presence in Bangladesh, globally the eighth largest remittance receiving country in the world.

Malliah and Pradip Kumar Dutta, managing director and chief executive officer of Sonali Bank, signed the deal at The Daily Star Centre in Dhaka.

Dutta said Sonali Bank has a network of 1,207 branches across the country. “This partnership will enhance the money transfer services in Bangladesh and give better services to the customer base. Both the remitters and recipients will be benefitted,” he said.

MoneyGram has already teamed up with Al-Arafah Islami Bank, AB Bank, Mutual Trust Bank, Premier Bank, Jamuna Bank, IFIC Bank, Standard Bank, Eastern Bank, Janata Bank, Southeast Bank, Agrani Bank, Islami Bank, Uttara Bank, National Bank, Brac Bank, the City Bank and NCC Bank to provide money transfer services for clients.

MoneyGram offers services in more than 200 countries and territories through a global network of around 3.5 lakh agent locations, including retailers, international post offices and banks.