New software provider on its way to Maputo to reactivate electronic banking system – Zandamela

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

New software provider on its way to Maputo to reactivate electronic banking system – Zandamela

1:16 CAT | 20 Nov 2018

Photo: Twitter / @AllexandreMZ

The governor of the Bank of Mozambique announced today that technicians from a new service provider may arrive in Maputo this week to reactivate the SIMO electronic financial transactions system.

At a hearing today on the blackout of the SIMO network called by the Assembly of the Republic Budget and Planning Commission, Rogério Zandamela ruled out any possibility of re-negotiating with BizFirst, the company that previously provided SIMO services.

“We are talking about a small international company, a company without expression. This is the company that created this blackout,” he said, noting that Mozambique was Bizfirst’s only customer.

Despite repeating that technicians from the new provider may arrive later this week, Zandamela made it clear that there was no date set for solving the problem.

“I cannot give dates as to when the problem will be solved. Only the technicians who work in this area can answer this question, once they are here to evaluate and to see how much time will be needed to reactivate the system,” he said.

Still, the central bank governor reassured his hearers that, despite the blackout, the financial system remained stable, with enough cash to supply the economy.

During the hearing, the central bank governor accused BizFirst of having tried to attack the financial system.

“When we became aware of Bizfirst’s cyber-attacks, we quickly thought of a contingency plan. And that plan consisted of being prepared with the necessary IT platforms so that in the event of a blackout, we would be in a position to quickly introduce the new systems,” he said.

Regarding buying, selling and withdrawing foreign currency, Zandamela said that the central bank had raised the foreign currency travel withdrawal limit from US$5,000.00 to US$10,000.00, but could offer little consolation for customers already abroad.

“Those abroad can make payments via the internet,” he said, adding that the Bank of Mozambique has instructed commercial banks to open priority lines for customers outside the country.

By Hélia Chopo

E o governador do @bancomoc, Rogério #Zandamela, já está na AR para a audição parlamentar sobre a crise dos POS e ATM. #Moçambique #SIMO pic.twitter.com/ykzpNIEW6j

— Alexandre Zerinho (@AllexandreMZ) November 20, 2018

#Zandamela diz que o Banco de #Moçambique foi acolhido de surpresa. Diz que o provedor da plataforma sempre fez ameaças, inclusive fez ataques cibernéticos, mas ninguém esperava que pudesse interromper de forma definitiva. Datas para restabelecimento do sistema? Ele não tem ideia pic.twitter.com/qrRxQqv3OD

— Alexandre Zerinho (@AllexandreMZ) November 20, 2018