Singapore – Ride-hailing platform Grab has signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) to support the development of Singapore’s tech ecosystem.
The signed MOI will see Grab working with IMDA and DISG to grow its core product and engineering teams’ capabilities through the support of talent development programs like the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA), seeking to enhance professionals’ technical skills and to provide hands-on training opportunities to individuals in the tech sector.
Meanwhile, Grab will also be creating new job opportunities, hiring around 350 employees in Singapore this year. This move covers the expansion of products and services to support the digitalization of micro SMEs, the delivery of digital financial services across Southeast Asia, as well as the development of the upcoming ‘digibank’, which will be managed by a Grab-Singtel consortium.
New job opportunities will come from areas of AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Software Engineering, as well as Product Management and Design. Some of the new hires will be involved in projects that aim to develop merchants’ products, and improve the user experience of the merchant app, which will be an all-in-one solution featuring modularized Grab services to select from.
A majority of the new hires, on the other hand, will be involved in powering Grab’s innovation engine that uses deep tech to build and enhance services for its users. Besides tech roles, Grab will also be offering employment opportunities in areas such as finance, operations, legal, public affairs, and business development.
Co-founder of Grab Tan Hooi-Ling commented that despite the challenges brought forth by COVID-19, the tech industry continues to hold promise for new and renewed opportunities for talent.
“As a Singapore-based tech company, Grab fully supports the development of the tech ecosystem here. We are building products that positively impact millions across Southeast Asia, and we want to continue deepening our R&D capabilities and push the boundaries of innovation, right here at our strategic base,” said Ling.
Meanwhile, Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of IMDA, said that to secure a digital future, Singapore must be the place where companies choose to build unique digital products that cater for global markets.
“We are pleased to partner Grab, to strengthen Singapore’s tech ecosystem in these two key areas – to build our local talent in product development, and grow Singapore as the base for high-end R&D in tech,” Hong added.
Vice President and Head of DISG Ang Chin Tah also commented, “We are excited that industry leaders like Grab are stepping up to deepen their R&D activities here while providing more job and skills development opportunities for Singaporeans. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and sustainable tech ecosystem to drive innovation and capture growth opportunities.”
