Grab partners IMDA and DISG in Singapore; 350 new jobs to be created

By Edil Corneille

Singapore-based Grab signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) to support the development of Singapore’s tech ecosystem, through the development of its tech talent and R&D capabilities.

The MOI will see Grab working with IMDA and DISG to grow its core product and engineering teams’ capabilities through the support of talent development programmes such as the TechSkills Accelerator (TeSA). These programmes seek to enhance the deep technical skills of experienced professionals and provide hands-on training opportunities to individuals keen to explore roles in the tech sector.

As part of its regional hiring efforts, Grab expects to create around 350 new jobs in Singapore this year, to support its growth plans. These include the expansion of products and services to support the digitalisation of micro SMEs, delivery of digital financial services across Southeast Asia, and the development of the upcoming digibank which will be managed by a Grab-Singtel consortium.

Some of these hires will come from fields including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, as well as product management and design. They would be involved in projects to improve merchants’ abilities to offer better and tailored products to their customers; as well as to improve the user experience of the merchant app, which will be an all-in-one solution featuring modularised Grab services to select from.

Grab will be offering new employment opportunities in areas such as finance, operations, legal, public affairs and business development.

“Despite the challenges brought forth by COVID-19, the tech industry continues to hold promise for new and renewed opportunities for talent. Grab will work closely with IMDA and DISG to grow the talent pool in Singapore, as the country advances towards a future-ready digital economy,” said Tan Hooi-Ling, Co-founder, Grab. “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. This is only possible with the support of Grabbers across different business functions, who are continually learning and adapting to new technologies and customers’ requirements.”

“To secure our digital future, Singapore must be the place where companies choose to build unique digital products that cater for global markets. This is the only way that Singapore can sustainably capture value and differentiate ourselves in the Digital Economy. 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,” said Lew Chuen Hong, Chief Executive, IMDA.

“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. Covid-19 is an unprecedented crisis that has impacted lives and livelihoods, but such partnerships position Singapore well to weather the storm and emerge stronger than before. Together, we will continue to build a vibrant and sustainable tech ecosystem to drive innovation and capture growth opportunities,” said Ang Chin Tah, Vice President and Head, DISG.