Dubai-based Careem, a leading ride-hailing service in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), has expanded its services to Palestine, as part of its broader commitment to further grow in the region.

The company will begin operations in Ramallah first on June 15, and then expand to more cities in the near future. With the Careem app, residents will be able to now commute hassle-free with greater convenience.

Mobility is one of the most important and vital aids to economic growth, and Palestine’s local transportation issues have long been a key inhibitor.

Careem’s introduction to the market will improve the quality of life for its people by increasing access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation, said a top official.

Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and co-founder, Careem, said: “We are committed to solving local problems in our region by providing access to reliable transportation and aiding in the creation of jobs. But our region would not be complete without including Palestine.”
 
The company’s investment in Palestine falls in line with its commitment to create one million jobs in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region by 2018, it added.

The Palestinian Economic Policy Research Institute identified the vital importance of the transport and communication sector to the economy in terms of moving individuals and goods, and yet the transport and storage sector contributed just 1.7 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2014.  

At the same time, launching the app in Palestine is set to empower the local population through the transfer of knowledge and skills, with the possibility of stimulating advances in technology and other sectors from communications to logistics, said a statement.

“It is our sincere hope that our entry into Palestine will encourage other startups and technology companies to recognise the potential of this country as place of investment in this region,” he said.

A local company established in 2012, Careem now operates in more than 50 cities across 12 countries and hosts over 10 million users and 250,000 captains (drivers) in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia region. – TradeArabia News Service