Expert: Building a WeChat-like platform in Russia is a difficult but feasible task
Russian Kommersant newspaper reported, citing Professor Yegor Perevelov of Skolkovo Management School, that developing a WeChat-like application in Russia will be a challenging but achievable task.
Previously, it was reported that Russian tech company VK plans to launch a Russian version of WeChat, integrating social networking, payment and other daily functions into one platform.
Perevelov said that WeChat has developed rapidly in China and has become "an all-purpose app for every situation."
Perevelov pointed out that experience shows replicating the WeChat model outside of China is extremely difficult. He believes that to build a similar WeChat application in Russia, it requires a state-supported environment, a large user base, and a balanced innovation ecosystem like in China.
Perevelov stated: It's not easy, but it's not impossible. Concentrating most digital functions within one super app is entirely feasible.
At the same time, Perevelov noted that Russia has also created bank or IT company apps, but no mature "all-in-one" model has ever emerged. He emphasized that Russian users are accustomed to many apps - banking, social, trading. He believes that to win user trust and popularize the new app, VK must offer something special, just like WeChat's "red envelope."
Kommersant wrote that many countries have tried to create something similar to WeChat, with some achieving partial success. For example, Japan has LINE, South Korea has Kakao, and Indonesia has Gojek, but none of their functionalities are as extensive as WeChat's.
Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1828756638295051/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author only.