ETAILER Amazon India has launched a partner support fund on Wednesday (29) to help the small and medium businesses (SMBs) who are heavily reliant on the company.
A company statement said that SMBs across India have been financially impacted due to the nationwide lockdown. This fund for SMBs in logistics will be available to delivery service partners and select transportation partners in India to help adjust their business model to the "new realities" posed during the lockdown, it said.
"Through the one-time disbursement, the fund will support the partners in multiple ways. This includes enabling them to provide financial aid to close to 40,000 of their staff for the month of April 2020," Amazon India said.
"Additionally it will 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."
Amazon India now allows the purchase of goods like grocery or other essentials on credit through the 'Amazon Pay Later' feature. It has also teamed up with Indian Railways for better reach of essential goods to customers.
Lakshmi Mittal 
