DUBAI: Dubai Chamber members will get training, access to promotions and exclusive benefits on Souq.com following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the chamber and the e-tailer.
Dubai Chamber said the MoU is intended to ease long-term cooperation between the two, and expand chamber members’ access to regional e-commerce. Hamad Bu Amim, President and CEO of Dubai Chamber, said, “We expect e-commerce activity to account for 10 per cent of Dubai’s total retail trade within the next few years. “Rapid growth within this sector presents a lot of potential which can be maximised through strategic initiatives and partnerships that help businesses keep pace with the region’s fast-changing e-commerce.” Under the terms of the agreement, Dubai Chamber members will gain free access to Souq.com’s “Fulfilled by SOUQ” services for three months and dedicated ‘on boarding’ training sessions. Some of these services also include special placement in search, customer service, and access to promotions.
Souq.com will promote Dubai Chamber’s “Trusted Member” label scheme through existing seller programmes on the B2C platform, and collaborate with the chamber on upcoming seminars and training programmes. Global e-commerce is projected to reach $4.3 trillion by 2025, accounting for 19 per cent of total retail sales, according to analysis by Dubai Chamber based on recent studies conducted by Payfort and Business Monitor International. GCC e-commerce is expected to reach $41.5 billion by 2020, and the UAE is expected to lead the region with a share of around 55 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia at 14 per cent, and Oman at 12 per cent.