MNCs to develop local online classified market
FE Report | Monday, 12 January 2015
Three multinational companies including Telenor have joined hands to develop the emerging online classified market in the country under the brand name of ekhanei.com.
Naspers Limited, a South African global platform to develop internet services, focusing on ecommerce, Norwegian Schibsted Media Group and leading Nordic telecom company Telenor Group announced the partnership Saturday, the companies said in a statement.
According to the agreement, SnT Classified (an equal shareholding joint venture between Schibsted and Telenor) and Naspers, the parent company of OLX.com.bd, will share 50.3 per cent and 49.7 per cent respectively.
Top officials of the venture said now the clients will enjoy wider and faster selection of items from the platform as they will take necessary initiatives to simplify online-based trading including secured transaction in the country.
"We are delighted to be joining with OLX in Bangladesh, and are excited to bring all of our buyers and sellers into a single destination", said Arild Klokkerhaug, Managing Director of SNT Bangladesh.
He said users of both platforms do not need to get worried as all advertisements will be at the same place. OLX users will be migrated to ekhanei.com automatically.
"Besides, we will take necessary steps to ease putting the advertisement procedures and the clients won't be subjected to charge for their advertisements," he said, adding that the venture will help the business share costs and expertise.
He said they will also take measures to create awareness among the people of Bangladesh to get the actual benefits of the vibrant online classified offerings.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of OLX South Asia Amarjit Singh Batra said through the partnership, they will work to develop together accelerating online-based market in the country.
"We share a passion for helping improve the people's lives by bringing them together for win-win exchanges of goods through the market," he said, calling the partnership an "exciting step forward" for the entire e-market in Bangladesh.
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