Two biggest online classified marketplace in the country – Ekhanei.com and OLX.com.bd – are merging into a single platform to help Bangladesh users close deal more easily.
By the end of the merger, Ekhanei.com will retain its brand name. Ekhanei.com Managing Director Arild Klokkerhaug has confirmed the Dhaka Tribune about the deal.
“Globally two companies have merged which will strengthen us in the local market also,” he said over phone yesterday.
He also said after completing all procedures, which will take more than a month, the new company will be the most-viewed classified marketplace in Bangladesh.
There is no regulatory procedure for merging, Arild Klokkerhaug said.
Ekhanei.com, backed by a global telecom powerhouse, Telenor Group, also a parent company of the market leader mobile phone operator, Grameenphone, will be well-positioned with the deal. Schibsted Media Group, an international media group operating in 29 countries, is also the partner of Ekhanei.com while OLX is a sister concern of Naspers, a multinational internet and media group offering services in more than 130 countries.
The venture in Bangladesh will be 50.3% owned by SnT Classified, an equal shareholding joint venture between Schibsted and Telenor, and 49.7% owned by Naspers, the parent company of OLX.com.bd. In a joint statement yesterday, Ekhanei.com and OLX.com.bd said joining the platform will make it faster and easier than ever for sellers to turn items into cash.
In the Bangladeshi online classified market with Ekhanei.com and OLX.com.bd, Bikroy.com is another market leader company.
