Middle East: Region Enjoys Amazon Prime Day Week with “Many Thousands of Packages to be Delivered, Soon by Delivery Drone”
Prime Day in July is Amazon’s annual and global week-long deal event, exclusively aimed at Prime Members, and this year (July 16th to 21st), those living in the Middle East including the countries of Qatar, UAE and Saudi Arabia, are enjoying an opportunity to purchase the many available online bargains.
While Saudi Arabia first joined Amazon in 2020, the UAE followed suit last Autumn. Qatar quickly followed after being able to access products via its UAE branch.
The Website Link
Ronaldo Mouchawar, VP of Amazon Middle East and North Africa, commented, “Online shoppers in Qatar have been asking for a way to easily find and purchase products available in their location, and this new expansion of the International Shopping experience to Qatar does just that.”
He continued, “Qatar residents can also enjoy some of our most exciting Amazon.ae sales events such as White Friday, our biggest sale of the year complete with incredible deals and promotions.” Customers can purchase products from a range of categories including fashion, electronics, and books, all of which will be shipped from the UAE.
The platform personalises the shopping experience based on customer location and shipping address and provides the option to make orders using local or international debit and credit cards before being sent directly directly to their doorsteps in Qatar.
Amazon.ae offers accurate delivery times and shipping costs, including import fees. The company also oversees cross-border customs clearance on the customer’s behalf.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia created a special and unique ‘Made in Saudi’ (MIS) Amazon storefront last Autumn. The move is to enhance entrepreneurship and small businesses in the Kingdom. The launch marked a pivotal moment in Saudi’s pursuit of economic growth and self-sufficiency.
https://www.amazon.sa/b?ie=UTF8&node=66101851031&language=en_AE
The launch of the store was announced following an agreement signed between Eng. Abdulrahman Althukair, CEO of the Saudi Exports Development Authority, and Abdo Chlala, country manager of Amazon Saudi Arabia. This was sealed at the ‘Made in Saudi’ Exhibition 2023 (October 16th to 19th), held at the Roshn Front in Riyadh.
The Amazon-based store provides customers with a vast selection of high-quality local products including health and personal care, while encouraging them to support local business.
Althukair commented, “The Made in Saudi program places local businesses at the heart of a collaborative community. It plays a key role in promoting Saudi products under one unified, trusted brand.”
Thousands of local businesses have received endorsement and certification through the MIS program, which signifies quality and authenticity. Therefore, they now have an opportunity to access Amazon customers around the world. Additionally, Amazon launched the Global Registration Program, which streamlines the process for local companies to sell their products globally.
Eng. Abdulrahman Althukair
Chlala remarked, “The store supports these local sellers as they expand their operations online. Launching the Saudi Made store is the first step towards a long-term partnership with Saudi Exports.” Adding, “This reiterates our commitment to invest in local businesses and SMBs, providing them with the tools and services they need to succeed.”
Since Amazon’s Saudi Arabia launch in 2020, the company has consistently invested in the Kingdom. Moreover, collaboration with Monsha’at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority with an eye on the country’s ‘Vision 2030’, has boosted this commitment.
https://www.monshaat.gov.sa/en
Amazon.sa has set an ambitious goal of hosting 40,000 Saudi sellers by 2025. It provides them with tools like the Amazon Seller Mobile App and diverse shipping options, including Fulfilment by Amazon. These initiatives enable businesses to serve customers more efficiently and swiftly, supporting Saudi Arabia’s evolving digital landscape.
So, what’s the link with UAM? Simples. Drone Delivery. The rapidly expanding online Amazon business in the Middle East leads to the obvious assumption that drone delivery will begin soon, once Amazon sets up product warehouses in the region. No-more import duties, no-more fuss.
Given how enthusiastic the region is about all things Air Mobility, if Amazon’s stop/start drone delivery trials over the last ten years are finally resolved, then the Middle East with a rapidly growing population is “a prime area” for the company to focus on.
(News Source: www.dohanews.co/qatar/economymiddleeast.com)
(Top image: Amazon Delivery Drone — Credit: Prime Air)
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