Qatar telco Ooredoo has partnered with internet incubator Rocket Internet to jointly develop e-commerce and other digital services in Asia.

Ooredoo and Rocket Internet will become equal partners in Asia Internet Holding, a joint venture that will create and develop online businesses in the region.

Increasing disposable income and internet penetration are key drivers for e-commerce growth in Asia and Ooredoo and Rocket Internet are keen to benefit from this trend.

Asia Internet Holding will cover 15 markets in Asia including Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia, with ventures ranging from online retail and marketplaces to payment services.

“A fundamental shift is happening across our markets, as more people buy goods and services online through their mobile phones. This is even more evident in our Asian footprint,” said Ooredoo CEO Nasser Marafih.