MANILA, Philippines — The digital innovations arm of PLDT Inc. Voyager Innovations Inc. expects to seal a deal with at least two foreign partners within the first quarter.

PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan told reporters the talks with the potential foreign partners are now in advanced stages. “I think it will push through…first quarter,” he said, adding “It will excite the market.”

He said Voyager is looking to take in at least two financial and strategic partners.

Earlier, Voyager president and chief executive officer Orlando Vea said the firm expects to benefit from having foreign partners in terms of technology, products and management.

Voyager is behind various services which help promote financial inclusion.

In particular, it is behind digital prepaid payments app PayMaya.

It also offers PayMaya Business Solutions to enterprises to allow them to accept card and mobile payments for both online and face-to-face transactions.

It likewise has digital lending platform Lendr which allows bank and non-bank partners to extend their reach via mobile and digital.

Through Voyager’s TackThis! and Takatack services, businesses can easily set up an online shop, while consumers can quickly find products from these merchants.

Vea said Voyager is also looking at expanding in Southeast Asia by bringing its services in two to three countries in the region.

He said the company may start its expansion to a new market in Southeast Asia in the second quarter.