South Korean-Japanese chatting application, LINE, has announced new features in Southeast Asian countries. Previously, the company announced it’s new business strategy called “Life on LINE“.
This business strategy is a part to make itself become a super-app in Southeast Asia. LINE then expand its features for the on-demand services in the region. The app has huge mass of users in the region.
In Thailand, for example, the company stated that it has 44 million active users. That is roughly around 60% of the country’s population. And not all of the population is a smartphone users.
LINE new features in Thailand and Taiwan
For Thailand, it has prepared an online grocery feature. LINE Man Grocery, as it calls it, will deliver both food and other items for the users. In addition, it will also launch LINE Shopping. The platform will connect buyers and sellers via its chat app and verifies payments.
The new features in the country would bring LINE in par with supermarkets and other big stores. As well as the more established super-app such as Grab and Go-jek that have offered the on-demand services earlier.
Just like Grab and Go-jek, LINE also has its own ride-hailing services in Thailand. The taxi-hailing and meal delivery services are available in Bangkok and three surrounding provinces. And it has announced intentions to expand it to other cities such as Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
Not only in Thailand, the chat app company also introduces new feature in Taiwan. The country is also a huge market for LINE, with 21 million of user base. It is more than 90% of total population of the country that has 23.5 million people.
The new feature is an internet-only bank. LINE Bank Preparatory Office just announced that it has the permission to establish an internet-only bank by Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission. It released the announcement within the statement:
“The consortium members of the LINE Bank Preparatory Office appreciate the positive response by the Financial Supervisory Commission, and we are pleased to have been successfully granted an internet- only banking permit.”
The feature LINE Bank would have AI, big data and financial technologies available for LINE users. It will also develop secure financial experiences to improve banking.
