Samsung and Grab have signed a memorandum of understanding that sees the two companies enter into a strategic partnership in Southeast Asia. Phase 1 of the partnership will see Samsung provide benefits for Grab drivers and users, including micro-financing options for new mobile devices.
The micro-financing options directly apply to Grab drivers under the Better 365 programme. Naturally, it’s designed to help drivers buy new Samsung smartphones to run the Grab app. The two companies have been running providing the benefit in Myanmar in last 2017; and has managed to provide 1400 new devices to drivers.
Grab is also planning to provide in-car infotainment as part of a pilot programme in Singapore. Samsung will be providing tablets to install in Grab vehicles. Details are a little light on what this will cover, but it will be expanded throughout Southeast Asia over the year.
Finally, Grab will be deploying more GrabKiosks and GrabBooths in shopping malls across the region. Samsung devices are deployed in these booths to allow concierge services to book rides for customers.
Samsung and Grab have also said that they will be working to streamline the fragmented mobile payment solution market across Southeast Asia. It’s unclear what this means, but could imply that the two companies could be integrating their respective digital wallets into a single service.
