Rakuten Viber has revealed new partnerships and business solutions in Nepal by teaming up with Sasto Tickets, Bus Sewa and Chef Nepal to enhance user experience and boost local businesses. Nepali Times spoke with Berina Tanovic, Sales Director at Rakuten Viber and Karla Banua, Sales Lead, Advertising in APAC at Rakuten Viber about Viber’s strategies to position itself as a superapp for brand-user communication. Excerpts from interview:&nbsp;
Nepali Times: What does it mean for Viber to become a "superapp" and how will it enhance the user experience and benefit brands?
Berina Tanovic: We have seen that end users are more fond of using several apps on their phones. According to the statistics, 77% of the time we are actually using only three of all the apps downloaded. And from that three 50% of the time, we're using only one. So what we realise based on these reports and statistic that people are not keen to use several apps for several purposes, they want to have one app, which is actually super app. So Viber will enable them to do several activities and several daily tasks in one place, meaning that they will be able to use Viber to call a taxi, order food, or do any kind of activity in their daily life. From a brand perspective, it's a huge opportunity because it allows them to contact their target focus customers in their natural environment. So it's a win-win for both parties.&nbsp;
Every industry in the world can actually use Viber for business solution either to provide better customer support or better customer experience, or just to enhance communication with the target audience. For example with two of our local partners here in Nepal, Sparrow SMS and F1Soft, that actually implemented Viber for business with several brands here in Nepal, and they provide cost effective solutions at the same time, they can offer them let's say better communication platform.
Could you elaborate on the recent launches, such as the searchable Business Account and Business Inbox folder?
Berina Tanovic: In general, we are talking about aligning with a strategy. We launched this business account, which is a unique entity where all the information about the brands and all the communication channels are at one place. Additionally, &nbsp;business accounts are searchable. We also have business inbox, which is one folder in your chat that combines the whole communication between end user and a brand. This gives better customer experience. From end user perspective, we have realized that the end user wants to have separate private communication from business communication. In other words, if I receive, OTP code from a bank, I don't want to scroll with all the private chat, so I just go to business inbox, and I have all my communication with the brands at the same place.
What are the differences or similarities in how brands use Viber for communication around the world?
Karla Banua: In terms of similarities, I guess on the consumer side, it's really providing more value, how it makes your life easier. And definitely, it's something that you see globally, and in the APAC as well. &nbsp;Viber is able to support every stage in terms of addressing the needs of the customer from the brands. And in terms of similarities, we're seeing more and more verticals, coming on board into you know, promoting their services. So we've seen like travel, being the top vertical, I guess it's revenge travel, as they say post COVID. So we're seeing that also you have your staples there, you have your retail, you have your banking.
What specific trends have you observed in brand-user communication in the Asia Pacific?&nbsp;
Karla Banua: We have seen is that Nepal as a market, similar to APAC and the rest of the world. Brands are incorporating more and more mobile strategies whenever they make their media campaigns through media mix. And in terms of the consumer side, we're seeing that the consumers, basically they want it easy, less hassle. So they want everything, all tools all communications in one place. And basically, this is where Viber fits perfectly, because we basically offer a full set of business solutions, from advertising, messaging, messaging chatbots. It is a solution, one tool that helps brands to address every customer need.
Are there examples of sectors that have seen particularly significant benefits?
Karla Banua: For one, we are seeing a good traction in terms of user adoption for Viber. So definitely for brands, it's convenient for them to come into a messaging app that the audience use. Second is data, security and privacy is a priority. And it's a two way process, brands and consumers would like to engage with an app that they can trust, then we have different tools from every funnel, because we understand that you have it's a step by steps for both the consumer and the brand. So that's why we get into the process.
Berina Tanovic: Every business is always looking for a cost effective solution. So compared to any other communication channel Viber is one of the most cost effective, why because it's per delivered pricing model, meaning that all the messages that are not delivered for any reason, maybe someone doesn't have Viber installed, or they are not online, or their mobile phone is switched off, the brand will not be charged for those messages, compared to SMS, where whatever you send is going to be charged. This is one of the key benefits that brands are getting.
How important is user privacy and data security in brand-user communication, and how does Viber address these concerns?
Berina Tanovic: Security is the DNA of Viber. And there are a lot of security measures and protocols that we put in place, in order to make sure that all the data are secured. For example, all the private chats, and all the private calls are secure with end to end encryption. This is the the highest standard of security.
For the business messages, we use encryption in transit, which is the closest that you can get to actually end to end encryption. Also, when onboarding new businesses, we are not doing it automatically. So we have a team who actually check each Sender ID, each business, is it really the business that represent and want to send the messages. Also we have very strict opt-in policies, every time when there is a complaint from a user, because end user can stop the communication anytime, we actually can investigate if someone complains that they didn't opt-in for that specific message, we actually take that seriously and review case internally with our partners to make sure that this never repeats again. Also from technical side, we are not sharing data, we are not storing data, anywhere. And also on top of this we're using HTTPS protocol. We are putting in the effortsto make sure that Viber is actually one of the most secure app, compared to any competitor currently.

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Business

Viber’s new partnerships in Nepal

Dasain used to be a time for family reunions, celebrations and feasting in Nepal. Now, it is time to take an <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/banner/where-are-you-going-this-dasain">annual vacation to destinations abroad</a>. Bali, Bangkok and Goa are the preferred cities, and within Nepal domestic visitors to Pokhara, Mustang or Sauraha have also picked up after the pandemic.&nbsp; Now, Istanbul has become a competitive destination thanks to stopover offers by Turkish Airlines as well as the US dollar exchange rate, making Türkiye surprisingly affordable. It is hard to believe that a city destination in Europe is only a six-hour flight away. <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/business/the-new-sky-silk-road-to-istanbul">Turkish Airlines</a> flies three times a week from Kathmandu, and from there to 314 destination airports in 126 countries around the world. In fact, more than 90% of passengers on every Kathmandu-Istanbul flight are transiting to Europe or the Americas.&nbsp; “Bangkok and Bali are great, but why keep going to the same place each time? Istanbul and Türkiye in general have so much to offer,” says Turkish Airlines Country Manager Serkan Başar. “Nepalis will find many things familiar, but also exotic in the meeting place of Asia and Europe, the food, culture and shopping.” Turkish Airlines is also promoting Nepal among other destinations as a tourism attraction at the fifth travel and tourism EMITT Istanbul to be held 6-9 February in 2024. Nepal and Türkiye established diplomatic relations in 1962, but it was not until Turkish Airlines connected Istanbul and Türkiye that exchanges were picked up. Türkiye’s ambassador to Nepal is based in Delhi, but the country is soon setting up its embassy in Kathmandu. Historically, Nepal-Türkiye links go back even further to Nepali soldiers fighting alongside the allies in the <a href="https://archive.nepalitimes.com/article/nation/gallipoli-and-the-gurkhas,2271">Gallipoli campaign during the First World War</a>.&nbsp; Turkish Airlines is currently the only European airline flying into Nepal and now offers Nepali passengers with connecting flights to Europe and beyond who can get a wide range of complimentary tour and travel services from the airlines. Passengers can make the best use of their layover in Istanbul.&nbsp; One of the three options by the airlines is <a href="https://nepalitimes.com/business/touristanbul-is-back">Touristanbul</a> for passengers with a layover between six to 24 hours. Interested individuals can sign up at the Transfer Desk or the International Arrivals Terminal of İstanbul Airport. There are eight scheduled tours to select from given one’s flight times. After landing at İstanbul Airport, passengers will be picked up by a vehicle and driven back to the airport at the end of the tour.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2023092112090_80b543b690bcbd5778f9a2af71c366f9e64f21556c167e201e92a2c111911972.jpg" data-media-id="editor_4" data-image-id="2023092112090_80b543b690bcbd5778f9a2af71c366f9e64f21556c167e201e92a2c111911972" data-rendition-name="original" width="1600" height="1000" loading="lazy" alt="Galata Tower"> <figcaption>Galata Tower. Photo: GALATA TOWER TICKETS</figcaption> </figure>  Passengers can take advantage of a free tour using their ticket number only if issued by Turkish Airlines stock number starting 235. Touristanbul is available for Turkish Airlines’ flights including codeshare flights. Economy class passengers with a connection time of 12 hours or longer and business class passengers with nine hours or more can get hotel service free of charge. A maximum of two nights’ accommodation will be offered. The layover period is calculated taking the landing time of the first flight and departure time of the second flight as a basis. Passengers under 18 are not accepted without accompanying adults, and passengers on Codeshare airlines are also eligible. The most attractive complimentary service is the Stopover in Istanbul valid for passengers with a connection period of at least 20 hours. Economy Class passengers can stay one night at a 4-star hotel and Business Class passengers may stay two nights in a 5-star hotel for free.  <figure> <img src="https://publisher-publish.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/pb-nepalitimes/swp/asv65r/media/2023092112098_d7a5d70147ffb4979eda1e2550b601f20ade73249da7d7b985de31fe10f2753e.jpg" data-media-id="editor_5" data-image-id="2023092112098_d7a5d70147ffb4979eda1e2550b601f20ade73249da7d7b985de31fe10f2753e" data-rendition-name="original" width="1600" height="1067" loading="lazy" alt="Dolmabahce"> <figcaption>Dolmabahce Palace. Photo: ISTANBUL.COM</figcaption> </figure>  Passengers are required to make a reservation at least 72 hours before their first flight. They need to send in their name-surname, reservation code (PNR) and ticket number, desired accommodation dates, preferred room type, telephone number and e-mail address information to the e-mail address corresponding to their country of departure, or visit Turkish Airlines website for details. Nepalis can easily get an e-visa if they have a Schengen, UK or US visa for the complimentary stopover. Forms can be obtained at www.evisa.gov.tr/ website. Nepalis without onward visas can get a single entry tourist visa valid for a maximum of 30 days at VFS.&nbsp; Stopover e-visa can also be obtained from the Turkish Airlines sales or ticket desks before or on the day of departure. &nbsp;

Stopping between Asia and Europe

Tata Motors launched the Tiago.ev at NADA Auto Show 2023 in Kathmandu last week at an introductory price of Rs2.199 million and bookings are now open. Tiago.ev comes with premium interiors, leatherette seats, contrast roof, fully automatic climate control, projector auto headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and cruise control. Also launched at the event were the sub-compact SUV Tata PUNCH and compact SUV Nexon EV MAX with a new trim XZ+ at Rs4.599 million.

Tiago.ev in Nepal

Ncell Axiata Limited is collaborating with the Patan Mental Hospital so customers with Ncell numbers can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline 1166 and seek necessary consultations. Ncell handed over Ncell SIM and a handset solution to Patan Mental Hospital on World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.
&nbsp;Last month, Ncell also installed four 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) at the district headquarters of Dolpa, Mugu, Bajura and Humla districts.

Ncell helpline

Everest Bank and Om Hospital have signed an MoU per which the hospital will offer a discount of up to 10% on IPD-Diagnostics, pharmacy and physiotherapy services as well as a 5% discount on dental services to customers, card holders, mobile banking users, as well as staff and family members of Everest Bank. Everest Bank CEO Sudesh Khaling and Om Hospital CEO Yam Bahadur Mahat signed the agreement on 12 September.

EBL & Om Hospital

Paramount Motors has released the MG Comet EV and MG 4 EV in Nepal. The car offers a range of 230km on a single charge, has a battery of 17.3mAh and a motor of 31.26mAh, and is priced at Rs1.799 million. The MG 4 EV awarded 5 stars for safety in Europe is available in two variants, comfort and luxury. The MG4 EV can give a range of up to 435km.

MG EVs

Nabil Bank is to provide collateral-free finance to retailers of Tata Genuine Parts and Tata Motors Genuine Oil. The deal was signed between the General Manager of Sipradi Autoparts Yuvraj Budhathoki and the Head of SME and Microfinance of Nabil Bank Amit Shrestha.

Nabil-Sipradi

Hyundai has unveiled the 5-seater SUV Hyundai Exter as the bumper prize of its Festive Delight 2080 campaign. Customers can win prizes and cash discounts up to Rs600,000 and a complimentary one-year comprehensive insurance plan for each purchase. The scheme is valid until 19 November to coincide with Chhath Parva.

Hyundai Festive Delight

‘Berger Hamro Ghar Hamro Shaan’ promotion scheme has been launched for the festive season. One lucky winner will win a bumper prize of Rs500,000 while three more will get Rs100,000 each. The offer is applicable to selected Berger products, and house owners will receive free consultation from interior designers.

Berger festive offer

The Indian cabinet has granted approval for the purchase of 10,000MW of hydroelectricity from Nepal in the next 10 years. The agreement was proposed during Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s Delhi visit in June. While the deal has been hailed as a high point in Nepal-India bilateral relations, experts have said Nepal should prioritise domestic consumption. India has refused to buy power from projects with any Chinese involvement.