Grab, the Singapore-based superapp, has proposed building an open electric vehicle charging network in Hanoi and deploying AI solutions to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and household businesses in the capital city.

Alex Hungate, President and COO at Grab, made the suggestion at a meeting last Friday with Truong Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee. The two sides discussed further cooperation across green transition, smart city development, and digital economy initiatives.

The executive said Grab plans to expand its investment and contribute more actively to Hanoi’s socioeconomic growth. He proposed strengthening cooperation on smart and sustainable transport, construction of charging stations for electric vehicles, and AI solutions to help small and businesses and household enterprises in Hanoi.

Hungate also noted that the large number of foreign tourists using the Grab app in Vietnam presents an opportunity to promote Hanoi to international visitors, and expressed interest in partnering with the city to attract tourists and improve their experience.

In reply, Dung welcomed the proposals and said Hanoi is implementing a roadmap for low-emission zones across the city, calling on Grab to support this process. He requested both sides to consider signing a cooperation agreement on deploying a charging station network across Hanoi. He also said the city would collaborate with Grab on supporting SMEs in adopting AI.

The discussion is in line with a meeting in late May between Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam and Chin Yin Ong, Chief Organization Capability Officer at Grab. On her LinkedIn page, Chin Yin Ong said Grab proposed investing in a nationwide network of 6,000 shared charging points in Vietnam by 2027. However, the post was edited after that and the details of 6,000 charging stations were removed.

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