KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 — Grab, an e-hailing transportation and mobile payment platform in South-east Asia (SEA), and Samsung Electronics are collaborating via a multi-year memorandum of understanding to drive digital inclusion in the region.

Grab and Samsung will work together on a wide range of initiatives to bring the benefits of technology towards enhancing customer experience and improving income opportunities for both Samsung and Grab consumers across the region, according to a statement issued today, announcing the collaboration.

According to Grab internal estimates, the company is one of the rapidly growing Internet service providers and is expected to be a US$25 billion (RM97.5 billion) market by 2022 in this region.

As part of the wide-ranging strategic collaboration, Grab and Samsung will develop customised solutions for the ride-hailing industry, including micro-financing schemes for Grab’s over 2.3 million driver-partners, improved customer booking and in-car experiences, and new mobility solutions.

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The two companies will also work together to expand into South-east Asia’s fragmented mobile payment ecosystem and provide a mobile payment solution for consumers.

Grab Group co-founder and chief executive officer Anthony Tan said, “South-east 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.

“Samsung is one of the world’s most innovative technology companies, and we’re thrilled to partner with them to empower more people in Southeast Asia to improve their livelihoods and provide more digital services for everyone on the Grab platform.”

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President and CEO of Samsung Electronics, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Sangchul Lee said, “We believe in the Internet of Things; the various benefits a more digitally-connected world brings, and we are excited to partner with Grab to provide consumers with their everyday needs.

“Through this collaboration, we hope to explore how we can work together to tap into the massive growth opportunity of Southeast Asia’s digital economy.”

The collaboration will be rolled out in phases across all countries in Southeast Asia that Grab operates in. In phase 1, Grab and Samsung are offering micro-financing of mobile devices for drivers, enhanced customer experience at GrabKiosks and GrabBooths, and Infotainment services in selected cars.

Grab currently offers services in Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. — Bernama