JioMart, WhatsApp To Enable 3 Crore Kirana Shops To Transact With Customers: Mukesh Ambani After Deal With Facebook 

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) said on Wednesday (22 April) that in the very near future, JioMart -- Jio’s digital new commerce platform, and WhatsApp will empower nearly 3 crore small Indian Kirana shops to digitally transact with every customer in their neighbourhood.

"This means all of you can order and get faster delivery of day-to-day items, from nearby local shops," Ambani said in a video message as he announced the Facebook partnership with Jio.

He added that at the same time small Kiranas can grow their businesses and create new employment opportunities using digital technologies.

Amabni said, "The combined power of Jio's world-class digital connectivity platform and Facebook's intimate relationship with the Indian people, will offer innovative new solutions to each one of you.

"And in the days to come, this winning recipe will be extended to serve other key stakeholders of Indian society our Kisans , our small and medium enterprises, our students and teachers, our healthcare providers, and above all, our women and youth, who form the foundation of a New India," he added.

"Our visionary and most respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has set two ambitious goals in his ''Digital India'' Mission ''Ease of Living'' for all Indians, especially for common Indians; and ''Ease of Doing Business'' for all entrepreneurs, especially for small entrepreneurs.

"Today I assure you that the synergy between Jio and FaceBook will help realise these two goals," Ambani added.

"All of us at Reliance and Jio are delighted to welcome Facebook Inc. as our long-term and esteemed partner. At the core of our partnership is the commitment that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, and I share for the all-round digital transformation of India and for serving all Indians. Together, our two companies will accelerate India''s digital economy," Ambani added.

"Our partnership will be a great catalyst to make India the world''s leading digital society," he said.

Over the past few years, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram have become household names in India.

"WhatsApp, in particular, has entered our people''s daily vocabulary in all the 23 official languages of India. WhatsApp is not just a digital application. It has become aapka, aur hum sabka, pyara dost," Ambani added that WhatsApp is "A friend who brings together families, friends, businesses, information-seekers and providers".

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)