Indonesia's Emtek group invests US$375 million in Grab's Indonesian unit

SINGAPORE: Indonesian media conglomerate Elang Mahkota Teknologi (Emtek) is investing US$375 million in ride-hailing and payment firm Grab's Indonesia unit, the companies said in a statement on Monday (Jul 26), in what they described as a "strategic alliance".

The deal is the latest tie-up between Singapore-headquartered Grab, the region's biggest ride-hailing and food delivery firm, and Southeast Asian conglomerates, including a strategic investment by Thailand's Central Group in 2019.

The Indonesian conglomerate holds stakes in media companies as well as a controlling stake in e-wallet DANA and a stake in e-commerce site Bukalapak.

Two sources told Reuters that the deal is in part intended to lead to a shake-up in the digital payments sector and help Grab increase its stake in e-wallet OVO.

Reuters reported in 2019, citing sources, that OVO and DANA were in talks to merge.

Grab, OVO, DANA, and Emtek did not immediately answer requests for comment.