A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua
A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua
Jeff Paine
Opinion

Opinion

Eye on Asia by Jeff Paine

Coronavirus recovery: help Southeast Asia’s small businesses move online to boost economy

  • E-commerce, online media and food delivery have surged during the pandemic in a region where small and medium-sized firms provide half of all employment
  • Governments in the region must enact policies that boost these firms’ entry into the digital economy, spur innovation and empower them to invest for the future

Jeff Paine
Jeff Paine

Updated: 4:55pm, 17 Jan, 2021

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A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua
A driver prepares to deliver food in Makati, the Philippines, on May 1, 2020. Grab expanding its services by delivering users’ orders from wet markets is one example of digital innovation in Southeast Asia during the pandemic. Photo: Xinhua
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Jeff Paine

Jeff Paine

Jeff Paine is managing director of the Asia Internet Coalition