GRAB and Samsung Electronics have signed a multi-year memorandum of agreement to drive digital inclusion in Southeast Asia.
In a statement, Grab and Samsung said they will work together on initiatives to bring the benefits of technology and improve income opportunities to millions of consumers and Grab driver-partners in the region.
“Southeast Asia is home to the world’s fastest growing emerging markets, yet many in the smaller towns and cities do not have easy access to the growing digital economy. Mobile technology can bridge the infrastructural divide and make economic growth more inclusive,” said Anthony Tan, group chief executive officer and co- founder of Grab.
Sangchul Lee, president and chief executive officer of Samsung Electronics in Southeast Asia and Oceania, said that through this collaboration, they hope to explore how they can work together to tap into the massive growth opportunity of Southeast Asia’s digital economy.
The strategic collaboration will be rolled out in phases across all countries in Southeast Asia that Grab operates in.
Samsung will support micro-financing of mobile devices for drivers to Grab’s more than 2.3 million driver-partners across Southeast Asia. This is part of Grab’s Better 365 program that provides more benefits and cost savings to drivers.
Moreover, Grab will make its services more accessible as it mounts more GrabKiosks and GrabBooths in busy consumer hubs such as shopping malls, hotels and airports.
These kiosks and booths will feature Samsung devices with the Grab enterprise app pre-installed, allowing individuals and concierge services to book a Grab ride for themselves or others, even when they do not have data connectivity.
The devices will be installed with Samsung’s Knox enterprise mobile security software, ensuring the information security of Grab’s devices as well as reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Grab said this feature will be rolled out in Vietnam and Singapore in the first quarter this year and other countries in Southeast Asia later in the year.
Grab and Samsung’s collaboration will also improve in-car services like infotainment content. This will be piloted throughout Southeast Asia.
Grab records over 3.5 million rides daily.
The app has been downloaded onto over 77 million mobile devices, with over 2.3 million drivers.
It offers private car, motorbike, taxi, and carpooling services across eight countries and 168 cities in Southeast Asia.
Grab currently offers services in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. (KOC)