Mobile giant outlines its place in future of Asian economies
Mobile operator Telenor Group has unveiled its first Global Impact Report on how the group is contributing to the life of 13 markets across the world, including six in Asia - Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Thailand.
The report, developed by KPMG, is a detailed study of the socio-economic effects created by Telenor as one of the largest mobile operators in Asia, and its instrumental role in the digitisation of Asian economies and societies.
The global impact report sheds light on how Telenor’s operations contribute towards this goal.
The socio-economic effects were categorised into four key areas including Telenor’s contribution to macro-economic growth; the ways in which Telenor’s services enable the wider economy; Telenor’s impacts in terms of sustainability in the supply chain; and its contribution in crisis situations.
Sigve Brekke, president and chief executive officer, said Telenor believes that connected societies were empowered societies. In a changing digital landscape, it is imperative that governments, businesses, and organisations work together to develop frameworks that stimulate growth and create shared value.
“This report aims to contribute to a constructive dialogue on how we can continue realising the value and the opportunity of our digital future,” said Brekke.
The report showed that Telenor created gross value added of $20.3 billion across its 13 markets.
Of this, an estimated $10.7 billion was generated in Europe and $9.6 billion in Asia. The largest GVA contribution in Asia was in Thailand.
Telenor generated an estimated total of 1.2 million direct, indirect and induced jobs in the global economy, of which 1.1 million were in Asia.For every job that Telenor created directly, an additional 33 indirect and induced jobs were created within the wider economies of Telenor’s 13 markets of
operation.
Telenor’s total investment was $3.2 billion, including $3.1 billion of capital expenditure. Attributed to Asia were $1.8 billion of capital expenditure.
Some $11.7 billion comprised contributions made directly, through the supply chain and induced economic activity, and through employees.
Also, it has 11.8 million subscribers accessing financial transactions via mobile; $27.6 billion in financial transactions using Telenor’s network, including mobile and over the counter transactions via Telenor’s own financial services, such as EasyPaisa in Pakistan.
