UK-based international money transfer business Azimo has launched nearly 21,000 cash pick-up points across the world, with 12,000 in India alone.

The business, founded by Michael Kent, allows people to send money to friends and family overseas without a bank account.

Apart from India, there are now 4,000 in Nepal, 2,700 in Sri Lanka, 2,600 in Indonesia and 2,500 each in Pakistan, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Mr Kent said Asia is already the company’s biggest recipient of remittances: “There is huge demand for an affordable and easy way to transfer money from Europe to destinations across Asia.

He added: “Our aim is to really maximise the impact that remittances have across the continent.”

Azimo launched in 2012 and now has a base in Ireland, Germany and Austria, as well as in the UK.