Grab, the country’s leading app for providing on-demand digital solutions in transportation and delivery, has collaborated with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to encourage small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to embrace digitalization in their journey to business success.

Ezra Regina Espina, Grab Philippines’ Deliveries Manager, underscored the significant impact of digital technology in opening new opportunities for SMEs. “Digitalization will put you at the doorstep of a broader market and help you reach more customers, even worldwide, like in the case of our overseas family and friends who want to order food remotely and have it delivered locally,” she told local entrepreneurs at the “Urban Connect” event held recently in General Santos City.

Urban Connect is a project of USAID focused on urban development to empower local entrepreneurs by introducing them to digital marketing solutions, online market access, and other transformative online business tools like e-payment.

“Grab is the best example of how digitalization can provide SMEs increased visibility and access to larger customer bases,” Espina pointed out.

Grab and its products, which include mobility, deliveries, and financial services, now have a presence in 115 cities nationwide and continue to expand as more local government units embrace modernization and recognize the economic opportunities it brings to local communities.

Espina explained to small entrepreneurs that aside from saving operational costs by automating processes and routine tasks, integrating digital solutions is vital to helping businesses make data-driven decisions and innovate their business practices to differentiate themselves from competitors. “By embracing opportunities in the digital space, you gain invaluable tools to build your business to success.”

General Santos City was among the most recent cities in Mindanao to embark in digitalization with the introduction of GrabTaxi last June as a riding-hailing option. GrabTaxi empowers existing locally registered taxi operators and drivers while offering safety, convenience, efficiency, and upfront transparent pricing.