STARTUP WATCH-
Kuwaiti e-commerce startup Bazaar Gate has secured USD 1 mn in funding from undisclosed investors, Wamda reports. The company will use the investment for regional expansion, refining its technology, and adding services to its Partners platform, which allows users and entrepreneurs to establish a fully functional e-commerce dropshipping business without the complications of starting an online store. Partners, which was launched in 2024, provides services including logistics, inventory, customer support, payment gateways, and instant profit tracking.
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About Bazaar Gate: The company, founded in 2020 by Mohammad AlMutawa, is a one-stop-shop shipping e-commerce platform that includes a delivery system, a banking system, and a payment gateway, according to the statement.
E-COMMERCE-
AJEX + Widect partner up on e-commerce logistics: Saudi-based logistics solution provider AJEX has inked a strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines subsidiary logistics firm Widect to boost e-commerce logistics between Turkey and the Middle East, according to a statement. The partnership aims to expand shipping solutions on the Turkey to Middle East route and improve last-mile delivery services to accommodate the emerging e-commerce sectors across the MENA region.
AVIATION-
Egyptair + Liebherr ink three-year MRO agreement: Egyptair’s maintenance and engineering arm has inked a three-year service contract with Germany-based Liebherr-Aerospace for the maintenance of heat transfer equipment aboard its Airbus A320ceo fleet, according to a statement. Under the agreement, Liebherr will also provide heat transfer equipment maintenance for airlines with existing MRO contracts with Egyptair.
ZONES-
Sohar freezone to get USD 7 mn food re-export plant: Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone has inked a land lease agreement with KSA-based Dan Foods Industries to develop a USD 7 mn food manufacturing plant in the zone, according to a statement. The facility, which will cover 15k sqm, will focus on repacking food goods from India, New Zealand, and Canada, and re-export to markets across the region. The plant will repackage bulk-imported food goods and produce meal ready-to-eat (MRE) solutions.
PORTS-
Aqaba Port development initiative extended until 2046: Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation, Aqaba Container Terminal Corporation, AP Moller Fiance, and APM Terminals have extended the Aqaba Port joint development agreement for an additional 15 years, effective until 2046, Petra reports. The project was first launched in 2006 between Jordan’s Aqaba Development Corporation and APM Terminals. Under the extension, the group intends to invest an additional USD 242 mn to reduce carbon emissions at the port, with the aim of reaching carbon neutrality by 2040.
OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING THIS MORNING-
- Oman’s Al-Aflaj Road 39% complete: Oman’s Transport, Communication, and Information Technology Ministry has announced that the completion rate for the Al-Aflaj Road project has reached 39%. The 22 km-long road starts at the Al-Mudhaibi-Sinaw intersection and ends at Al Aflaj village. (Statement)