Amazon India recently announced setting up a special fund to support delivery service partners and transportation partners associated with the company and providing financial aid for April. Through one-time disbursement, it will support the partners in multiple ways, including enabling them to provide financial aid to nearly 40,000 of their staff for April.
It will also help cover some critical fixed infrastructure costs and support liquidity and cash flow for these businesses as they resume and scale their operations post lockdown, a statement from the company said.Amazon India recently announced setting up a special fund to support delivery service partners and transportation partners associated with the company and providing financial aid for April. Through one-time disbursement, it will support the partners in multiple ways, including enabling them to provide financial aid to nearly 40,000 of their staff for April.#
"This Partner Support Fund for small and medium businesses in logistics will be available to delivery service partners (DSP) and select transportation partners in India to help adjust their business model to the new realities posed during the lockdown," the statement said.
"Amazon is committed to keeping India safe by delivering essentials to customers at their doorstep. We are equally invested in helping our partners overcome the unforeseen disruption in business,” it said. Amazon vice president for customer fulfilment operations (APAC, MENA and LATAM) Akhil Saxena said the fund will help its small business partners in logistics get back on their feet at the earliest when the economy reopens.
The fund follows the recent announcement of the global $25 million Amazon Relief Fund (ARF) in India that can be utilised by qualifying individuals, who have been quarantined or diagnosed with COVID-19. Amazon India has extended the ARF to eligible delivery associates who are part of the delivery service partner programme, Amazon Flex program and its trucking partners providing transportation support.
Besides, Amazon Pay, the payments unit of the company, has launched 'Amazon Pay Later'. The service will extend a virtual line of credit to eligible customers shopping on Amazon.in. After a digital sign-up process, customers will get access to instant credit that they can use to buy any product ranging from daily essentials to electronics and clothing, the company said in a separate statement.
Customers can also use this credit to complete their bill payments on Amazon.in. Amazon Pay Later service offers the option to repay in the subsequent month at no additional fees, or in easy EMIs up to 12 months at nominal interest rates.
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