Qoo10 and UOB tie-up to drive eCommerce growth across ASEAN

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) and Qoo10 have formed a strategic regional alliance to drive eCommerce growth across ASEAN. The regional alliance supports the bank’s approach to build ecosystem partnerships and its efforts to bring banking services closer to consumers and small businesses across ASEAN. Through the alliance, Qoo10 will be able to tap UOB’s holistic suite of financial solutions to help consumers and merchants buy and sell products more easily on both the Qoo10 and its blockchain-based QuuBe platforms. Both organisations will also promote each other’s products and services to create greater value for their customers across ASEAN. As per the partnership, to help more merchants get started on the QuuBe platform, UOB will provide them with credits which can be used to market their products and services when they sign up for a UOB account. UOB card members will also receive privileges such as additional 10% in Q*coins, a private blockchain-based token, when they shop on QuuBe. The bank will also provide Qoo10 with banking services as the eCommerce platform looks to deepen its presence in the region. Moreover, the alliance also benefits small businesses as now these businesses will be able to apply for financing directly on Qoo10’s site. Singapore-based merchants who have been using Qoo10 for at least six months will have their loan application processed in just one business day. By the second half of the year, merchants will be able to apply for business loans directly on Qoo10’s site instead of having to submit physical documents such as the company’s financial statements to the bank. The bank is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to cut down the credit assessment process so that business owners can receive an outcome on their loan application in the same day. Lawrence Loh, head of group business banking, UOB, said the strategic regional alliance complements the bank’s efforts to help small businesses seize opportunities in the digital economy. With the eCommerce market in ASEAN poised for growth, small businesses are also looking to increase its sales on online channels. Loh added that the alliance with Qoo10 enables UOB to extend touchpoints to provide small businesses with the financing they need directly on the eCommerce site, helping them to take advantage of opportunities quickly as they arise. "This initiative, along with our range of banking and digital solutions, will enable us to provide better and timelier support to the thousands of small business owners across the region pursuing their growth ambitions,” he said. “As a premier online shopping platform, our goal is to bridge the gap between online buyers and sellers seamlessly. Partnering established and trusted allies such as UOB enables us to empower our merchants and customers with readily accessible solutions that provide greater financial flexibility in running a business or making purchases,” said Ku Young Bae, CEO of Qoo10. Read also: Scoot ties up with UOB to enable PayNow and ease flight bookings UOB launches new digital bank TMRW in Thailand to lure in Millennials UOB highlights diversity and empowerment in new Lady’s Card campaign UOB consolidates regional media buying duties with Mindshare