Author: Jochebed Menon

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) and Lifebuoy have signed the first of its kind hygiene partnership agreement in the Middle East. As per the agreement, Lifebuoy and Saudia-branded personal hygiene kits will be provided on all international and domestic flights. Essam Muhammad Akhonbay, VP Marketing and Product Management at Saudia Airlines, confirmed that Saudia continuously aims to progress its position amongst the top airlines in the world, stressing that safety concern began from the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, even before it was classified as a global epidemic by WHO. “This contributed to our classification in the Diamond Health Safety…

DP World handled 18.9 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) across its global portfolio of container terminals in the first quarter of 2021, with gross container volumes increasing by 10.2% year-on-year on a reported basis and up 9.6% on a like-for-like basis. The first quarter witnessed a strong start to the year and all three regions delivered growth, especially its terminals in India and Australia. Encouragingly, the stabilisation in Jebel Ali (UAE) continues with the terminal handling 3.5 million TEU in 1Q2021, up 2.6% year-on-year. At a consolidated level, its terminals handled 11.2 million TEU during the first quarter of 2021,…

B2B eMarketplace Tradeling has signed a partnership agreement with Chinese eCommerce giant JD.com to provide MENA business buyers access to tap into China’s fast-growing eCommerce market, in a further boost to advance the region’s B2B ecosystem. Through the partnership, Tradeling will list brands and products from JD.com on its wholesale platform, Tradeling.com, giving MENA customers access to high-quality Chinese brands. The new partners will also look at opportunities for Tradeling to integrate and use JD.com’s logistic and warehouse capabilities for a fast delivery experience, leveraging JD.com’s logistic capabilities and to help create a seamless B2B buying experience for MENA businesses.…

Local eCommerce platform LetsTango.com has seen a fair share of ups and downs, here CEO Alex Tchablakian tell us what sets them apart from competitors and the firm’s plans to boost eCommerce in the region Tell us about LetsTango.com. LetsTango.com is a homegrown independent marketplace.  We cater to a large number of international audiences and currently have an array of exclusive brands across 50 different categories in our brand roster from all over the globe. We started our journey in 2013 as an online store selling electronics, whereas today we have transformed into a boutique eCommerce marketplace providing niche products and services, not…

Four tech start-ups from three countries are leading breakthrough work to transform the ports and logistics sector by piloting projects with Gulftainer. eYard, Morpheus Networks, Throughput, and Zainar, have emerged as winners of Gulftainer’s Future of Ports 2021, which saw more than 2,000 applicants from over 200 cities vie to create disruptive technology that will reshape the sector. Gulftainer, a leading privately held global port operator, has recently concluded its Future of Ports 2021, a global pitch event offering tech start-ups a platform to showcase how their solutions can create a disruptive impact and address current challenges in the industry.…

The Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED) signed a cooperation agreement with noon.com to support the growth and success of small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs in the emirate. The agreement, reported by WAM, also includes members of the small and medium enterprises programme Tazeez, members of the Riyada programme for practicing economic activities at home, and the holders of eCommerce licences. This agreement comes in line with the rapid and steady growth in eCommerce rates that the world is witnessing because of changing consumer patterns and to overcome the coronavirus pandemic. Abdulla Bin Nassir Al Nuaimi, the Director…

Air transport technology provider SITA announced the results of its biometric-enabled Proof of Concept (PoC) designed to support a low-touch passenger experience and optimise passenger processing at Istanbul Airport (IGA). The six-month trial showed a 30% reduction in boarding times and increased satisfaction of participating passengers and airlines, as well as reducing risks associated with COVID-19 thanks to the low-touch passenger journey. The biometric solution allowed airline agents to easily enrol passengers on the existing SITA Flex common-use check-in counters. Once enrolled, passengers were able to simply scan their face at every step of the way, from security check, lounge…

Abu Dhabi Ports’ offshore logistics service provider, Offshore Support and Logistics Services Company (OFCO – Offshore International), has announced the start of a collaboration with Mammoet UAE, a subsidiary of the global engineered heavy lifting and transport services company. The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). OFCO, will work closely with the heavy lift and transport specialist Mammoet to create an integrated package of on and offshore turnkey transport and installation solutions for projects in the GCC. Captain Maktoum Al Houqani, Chief Corporate Authority Officer and Head of Maritime Cluster, Abu Dhabi Ports, said: “The newly-announced collaboration between…

Dubai CommerCity (DCC), the first dedicated eCommerce free zone in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) regions, has announced the launch of 470,000 sqft of new facilities as part of its first stage in line with its planned schedule. Dubai CommerCity is situated in the Umm Ramool area in Dubai, and is a Dhs3.2billion, 2.1 million sqft project. The launch of the new phase includes a built-up area of over 320,000 sqft of offices spaces in the Business Cluster. It also includes 145,000 sqft eCommerce logistics units and multi-client warehouses in the Logistics Cluster, which will be…

Technology-driven delivery company iMile has stepped into Egypt with operations in Cairo and Suez. Dubai-based, iMile specialises in delivering goods from eCommerce sellers in China to customers in the MENA region. iMile’s recent expansion into Egypt is part of its commitment to continue supporting efficient cross-border eCommerce across the region. The company has partnered with two eCommerce companies Egypt so far and is working with several SMEs for door-to-door delivery. iMile is investing in a local team in Egypt, hiring exceptional local talent to ensure the best team is in place. With the rise of online shopping in Egypt, local…