SYDNEY, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Card payment organization UnionPay International announced on Wednesday its latest foray into food delivery services and e-commerce in Australia with its new partnership with local food delivery app EASI.

From Dec. 10, users across Australia and New Zealand would be able to apply for a virtual card that would grant access to a number of instore and online benefits.

To attract users on launch, they have also offered launch vouchers valued at 100 Australian dollars (about 70 U.S. dollars).

Regional manager of UnionPay International's South Pacific Branch Jian Jiangtao said the new platform would streamline the experience of their Australian user base, which captures 90 percent share of Chinese Australians food delivery business.

"The safe, convenient, and contactless service model of the EASI platform is perfectly suited to the needs of UnionPay cardholders," said Jian.

He said it would also provide a new base from which EASI would be able to expand business both on and offline.

In Australia, EASI has tapped into the niche market of Asian foods by engaging Australia's Chinese population.

The news comes as e-commerce has rapidly gained traction and acceptance in Australia. National postal carrier, Australia post reported a record 57 percent year-on-year growth in its 2021 annual Australian Online Shopping Report.

This trend to online purchases has extended into a boom in the use of delivery platforms, and despite restaurants facing major downturns during COVID-19 lockdowns, food delivery services have conversely experienced double-digit growth.

According to data from industry statistics firm Ibisworld, the food delivery industry in Australia grew by 12.1 percent in 2021, and was worth nearly 850 million Australian dollars (about 600 million U.S. dollars). Enditem

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