George Town, January 23: What started as a straightforward food delivery and e-hailing service has developed into a comprehensive powerful platform that promotes inclusive growth and economic empowerment, especially in Penang.
With its tech-driven solutions, Grab Malaysia is not only revolutionizing transportation but also transforming the local business and tourism landscape.
Almost 70,000 local drivers and delivery partners, including more than 350 people with disabilities (PwD) and more than 2,000 women, now have opportunities thanks to Grab in the northern state alone.
Together, these partners made nearly RM280 million in 2023, which made a substantial contribution to the state’s economic health.
Ben Chin, head of Grab Malaysia’s strategy and outside cities, discussed how the company has changed from providing only rudimentary transportation services to now offering banking services, food and product delivery, and more.
At the recent ‘Sembang Tech Tarik Bersama Grab session here, he stated, “Our goal is to become your go-to app, enabling people to access equal opportunities.”
Chin emphasized Grab’s continuous investment in technology to increase consumer spending, which in turn generates more revenue for delivery drivers and more business for partners.
This demonstrates Penang’s dedication to integrating technology into daily life and is consistent with its goal of becoming a digitally innovative state by 2030.
With the help of cutting-edge digital tools, Penang’s micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs) have grown by 5% annually, and more than half of them continue to receive five-star reviews from millions of foodies.
“We support Penang’s dynamic digital transformation, empower local businesses, and improve the tourism experience through our platform,” Chin continued.
In the meantime, Grab hopes to play a bigger part in improving Penang’s tourism ecosystem by linking visitors with local attractions and increasing their travel experiences, according to Powers Teh, product analytics manager for consumer experience.
He stated that because 65% of international travellers use the app, Grab has been a reliable travel companion for them and that the company is always making it more accessible so that their experiences are similar to those of locals.
According to him, Grab is constantly striving to improve accessibility, especially for international visitors, since Malaysia is the third most popular destination in the region for foreign visitors, behind Singapore and Thailand.
To reach the main Southeast Asian tourist markets, we have developed versions of the app in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
He added that the straightforward photo-based location identification is making travel more accessible and convenient. “When tourists are booking a ride and are unsure of their location, they can simply take a picture of a nearby street name or building and the app will guide them to the nearest pickup location,” Teh said.
Grab keeps empowering businesses, enhancing everyday living, and elevating the travel experience for tourists as Penang strives to become a digital powerhouse, fostering a prosperous, inclusive economy for everybody – The Edge Malaysia
