The total value of goods and services paid by internet card in Romania could reach €70 million next year, doubling estimates for 2007, as a result of a rise in the market and the promotion of online payments by mobile telephony operators, according to Gecad.

Gecad estimates an 80 percent increase in the number of online transactions in 2008 year-on-year, and a doubling of the value compared to the first half of 2007, to €32 mln.

“The number and volume of transactions of online payments is still low, but there is accelerated growth, and we are expecting a doubling of the market in 2008 compared to this year. The telecommunications sector registered the largest number of transactions, mostly due to massive promotion of online payment by mobile telephony operators,” said Gecad representatives.

These added that by the end of next year they estimate that there will be 2,000 online stores. There are an average of some 20 new online stores each month, and the present number is 1,600, of which 800 have implemented online payment solutions. (NewsIn)