As experienced restaurateurs, Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice were acutely aware of the pain points of their business.
“The most challenging part of being a restaurateur in Egypt has been sourcing the supplies due to the inefficient and inconsistent supply chain in our part of the world,” says Mr Amer, a restaurateur with nearly 25 years of experience.
“I have waited for years for a Sysco type company to open in Egypt but it didn’t happen, so I decided to do something about it.”
The duo founded OneOrder, an online business-to-business platform that facilitates order processing and communication between restaurants and suppliers.
Founded in October last year, the Cairo-based company aims to address inefficiencies and structural problems faced by restaurants when sourcing supplies, such as inconsistent prices, unreliable quality and irregular delivery timings.
“This type of service did not exist in Egypt before,” Mr Amer explains.
The new proceeds will be used to bolster our technology platform and further streamline our logistics and warehousing capabilities
Tamer Amer,
chief executive and co-founder of OneOrder
OneOrder allows restaurant owners in Egypt to get all their supplies from one supplier rather than dealing with a number of small, fragmented suppliers. The founders did not disclose the number of their existing clients and suppliers.
“My experience in the food and beverage industry means I know what restaurant owners need … it is a reliable, timely supply of quality goods at a consistent price — without the stress of managing various suppliers on a daily basis,” Mr Amer says.
“We believe restaurants should be focused on delivering high-quality experiences and services to their customers without having to worry about sourcing and procurement … and OneOrder is on a mission to materialise it.”
Mr Amer, who started OneOrder with an initial investment of $100,000 from his personal savings, said he deliberately initiated the company during the Covid-19 pandemic. For him, it was a chance to turn an adversity into an opportunity.
“As an entrepreneur, I strongly believe if you are put in a demanding situation, you are likely to come out with the most resourceful and disruptive solutions. The same happened with us while launching OneOrder.
“We saw a huge opportunity to fill the market gaps created by the pandemic … [the] supply chain disruptions worldwide have reaffirmed the need for the services that OneOrder offers … because more than ever, restaurants had to find new ways of shaving their unnecessary supply chain costs and overheads without jeopardising the quality of goods,” Mr Amer says.
Egypt's food market revenue is expected to exceed $162.8 billion this year, Statista reported. The industry is estimated to experience a compound annual growth rate of nearly 1 per cent over the next five years.
OneOrder’s future market opportunity is significant, says Mr Amer, who is also the founder of Egyptian restaurant chains Fuego Sushi and Longhorn Texas BBQ.
Egypt, the most populous country in the Arab world, has 45,000 registered restaurants and nearly 250,000 unregistered ones, OneOrder said.
The US Department of Agriculture estimated the food and beverage market in Egypt was worth $13bn in 2019 and that figure is expected to have increased “substantially” since then, OneOrder said.
The growth in the market comes amid a backdrop of booming consumption in Egypt. The country's gross domestic product is expected to grow 5.3 per cent between 2021 and 2023, driven by strong private consumption and increasing tourism.
Egypt is also building new cities such as New Alamein, with hotels and commerce expanding across the country — all of which are favourable to the food and restaurant industry.
OneOrder aims to streamline and stabilise restaurants' procurement needs and reduce their overall supply chain-related costs.
It allows its clients to order all of their restaurant’s supplies from one place through an “easy-to-use tech-enabled platform that provides the best possible transparent prices”, Mr Amer says.
“We are providing our customers with a complete magical solution to streamline and reduce all their supply chain overheads, costs and headaches.
“We are empowering them with a tech platform that provides all the data they need regarding their procurement at a press of a button.
“It will also guarantee product availability and consistency, digitising their entire procurement cycle that provides all the analytics needed to make critical decisions based on real time cost data.”
To fuel its business growth, OneOrder raised $1 million last month to expand into new markets and improve its technology platform. The funding round was led by Egypt-based early-stage venture capital firm A15.
“The new proceeds will be used to bolster our technology platform and further streamline our logistics and warehousing capabilities. The aim is to create an unprecedented customer experience through investing in our technology offering,” Mr Amer says.
The founders do not plan to exit the business “any time soon” since they intend to establish a long-term business with a strong foundation.
“There is significant value to be unlocked in this space and we believe we are best positioned to capture that value. We are in it for the long-haul,” Mr Amer says.
We are providing our customers with a complete magical solution to streamline and reduce all their supply chain overheads, costs and headaches
Tamer Amer,
chief executive and co-founder of OneOrder
OneOrder plans to enter new markets in the Middle East and Africa region in the coming months as it sees a similar potential in other markets.
“I am very excited about the future as our market opportunity is huge. Egypt and the wider region are booming economically, and the food and beverage sector is only growing larger,” Mr Amer says.
“Our strategy is to establish a sustainable business on the principles of best ethics and trade practices. We are not running after short-term success in first few months but working relentlessly to establish a long-term player with global operations.”
Q&A with Tamer Amer, OneOrder’s co-founder and chief executive
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
We will be among the top global players in the food services and supplier industry. Looking at the massive size of the industry, OneOrder has a huge opportunity and we have all the ingredients to capitalise on it. We are gradually building our success journey and we are sure to emerge as a strong disrupting force in the global food industry in the next 10 years.
Are you a risk-taker or a cautious entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurs are risk-takers by nature, and I am the kind that likes to break new grounds. I don’t wait for the new opportunities to knock at my doorstep. I prefer to go all out in the market, build the most capable teams, detect the market gaps and fill them with the most innovative products and services.
How do you look back at your entrepreneurial journey?
My past experiences as a restaurateur for the last 25 years have helped shape who I am today, learning from my successes and failures. No school can teach you those life skills and they come very handy in solving business problems on a daily basis.
I always try to be positive and optimistic as these traits are crucial to cement a long-term success.
What successful start-ups do you wish you could have started and why?
None other than OneOrder. I am very convinced with the idea and also very satisfied with the response that we have got from the market. We have some big plans for the upcoming months that will scale OneOrder to new heights.
What new skills have you learnt in the process of launching your start-up?
I have learnt a lot about the tech industry … how technology is the way to solve most of the problems that businesses encounter and make their operations run more smoothly. Especially in the post-Covid era, technology can play a crucial role to empower small businesses, start-ups and ensure that all stakeholders are aligned.
What is your mantra for success?
Be honest and work hard. Nothing on this earth can beat these two qualities. You should not run after short-term gains or quick success. The foundation of your entrepreneurial journey should be very strong to ensure you can stay relevant and keep adding to the market for a long time.
Who is your role model?
Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos in the business world and my mother in my personal life. Both are very inspiring … and a motivation behind my successful journey as an entrepreneur.
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EGlobal%20Islamic%20economy%20to%20grow%203.1%25%20to%20touch%20%242.4%20trillion%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fuk-economy-plunges-into-worst-ever-recession-after-record-20-4-contraction-1.1062560%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EUK%20economy%20plunges%20into%20worst-ever%20recession%20after%20record%2020.4%25%20contraction%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenationalnews.com%2Fbusiness%2Feconomy%2Fislamic-economy-consumer-spending-to-increase-45-to-3-2tn-by-2024-1.936583%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3EIslamic%20economy%20consumer%20spending%20to%20increase%2045%25%20to%20%243.2tn%20by%202024%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ogram%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Karim%20Kouatly%20and%20Shafiq%20Khartabil%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20On-demand%20staffing%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2050%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMore%20than%20%244%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%20round%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%2C%20Aditum%20and%20Oraseya%20Capital%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Anna and the Apocalypse
Director: John McPhail
Starring: Ella Hunt, Malcolm Cumming, Mark Benton
Three stars
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The most expensive investment mistake you will ever make
When is the best time to start saving in a pension? The answer is simple – at the earliest possible moment. The first pound, euro, dollar or dirham you invest is the most valuable, as it has so much longer to grow in value. If you start in your twenties, it could be invested for 40 years or more, which means you have decades for compound interest to work its magic.
“You get growth upon growth upon growth, followed by more growth. The earlier you start the process, the more it will all roll up,” says Chris Davies, chartered financial planner at The Fry Group in Dubai.
This table shows how much you would have in your pension at age 65, depending on when you start and how much you pay in (it assumes your investments grow 7 per cent a year after charges and you have no other savings).
|
Age
|
$250 a month
|
$500 a month
|
$1,000 a month
|
|
25
|
$640,829
|
$1,281,657
|
$2,563,315
|
|
35
|
$303,219
|
$606,439
|
$1,212,877
|
|
45
|
$131,596
|
$263,191
|
$526,382
|
|
55
|
$44,351
|
$88,702
|
$177,403
|
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
Meydan race card
6pm Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
6.35Dubai Trophy – Conditions(TB) $100,000 (Turf) 1,200m
1,800m
7.10pm Jumeirah Derby Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (T)
1,800m ,400m
7.45pm Al Rashidiya – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
8.20pm Al Fahidi Fort – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,400m
8.55pm Dubawi Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
9.30pm Aliyah – Rated Conditions (TB) $80,000 (D) 2,000m
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Asia%20Cup%202022
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Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder
Started: October 2021
Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Industry: technology, logistics
Investors: A15 and self-funded
