Logistics company Aramex said on Sunday its Saudi Arabian unit signed a partnership deal with the kingdom's Al Dawaa Medical Services to distribute pharmaceutical products and related services to customers.
Al Dawaa Medical Services is the exclusive owner of Al Dawaa Pharmacies, one of the biggest pharmacy chains in the kingdom.
"The Saudi market is a vital arena for Aramex," said Hussam Baraqouni, the company's chief executive for the GCC, Levant, Turkey, Central Asia and Indian subcontinent.
“Over the past few years, we have successfully ingrained ourselves within the community… and today’s agreement is positioned to strengthen these efforts and develop the domestic e-commerce sector in line with the Saudi government’s plans.”
The GCC e-commerce market is projected to reach $20 billion by 2020 from $5.3bn in 2015, according to consultancy AT Kearney and countries including the UAE and Saudi Arabia are seeking to grow their own contribution to the forecast growth by strengthening logistics networks.
Under the first phase of the partnership, Aramex will launch service centres within 20 branches of Al Dawaa Pharmacies across the Saudi Arabia for customers to send and collect shipments, Aramex said.
Under the second phase, Aramex will expand to hundreds of branches within Al Dawaa’s pharmaceutical network. Customers will also be able to to return e-commerce shipments by delivering them to service centres across the pharmacy’s network.
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By leveraging its network of pharmacies through the partnership with Aramex, Al Dawaa hopes to spur and capitalise on this growth, said Mohammad Faraj, executive manager at Al Dawaa Medical Services.
“Our vision is to be the first destination for our customers’ diverse cosmetic, medical, personal care and healthy nutrition needs,” he said. “The kingdom is witnessing tremendous growth in the e-commerce sphere and our collaboration with Aramex will empower its development.”
Aramex has approximately 67,000 square metres spread of facilities in Saudi Arabia and provides the full spectrum of delivery, shipping, logistics, supply chain management, e-commerce and information management services.
The Dubai-listed company reported a 26 per cent increase in second-quarter net profit to Dh122m, as e-commerce and the energy sector fuelled demand for its services, it said this month.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
