Souq.com rebranded as Amazon in UAE

The multinational e-commerce giant bought Souq for $580 million in 2017, its first venture into the Middle East. (Screengrab)
Updated 01 May 2019
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Souq.com rebranded as Amazon in UAE

  • E-commerce giant bought Souq for $580m in 2017, its first venture in the Mideast
  • Service remains unchanged in Saudi Arabia and Egypt

DUBAI: The Middle East online retail site Souq.com has been rebranded as Amazon.ae in the UAE, according to a company announcement.

Multinational e-commerce giant Amazon bought Souq for $580 million in 2017, its first venture into the Middle East. 

Souq now redirects to the new Amazon site when accessed in the UAE, although remains unchanged in Saudi Arabia and Egypt, according to press reports. 

 

Customers in the UAE are presented with a statement issued by the company’s co-founder Ronaldo Mouchawar.

“Today marks a proud day for Souq and Amazon, a day that we have been working toward since the two companies came together in 2017,” Mouchawar, the newly appointed vice president of Amazon MENA, wrote.

“Amazon.ae brings together Souq’s local know-how and Amazon’s global expertise, something we believe will be of significant benefit to UAE customers. Our combined team in the region has grown to over 3,600 employees … we will continue to grow our product range, ensure great prices, and provide a convenient and safe shopping experience.”

Amazon.ae features over 30 million products from local and international businesses, including products previously available on Souq, and 5 million products from Amazon US, the company said. 

Arabic language has been introduced to both the mobile app and website “for the first time ever at Amazon,” the company said. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 11,251 

Updated 12 February 2026
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Closing Bell: Saudi main index rises to close at 11,251 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Thursday, gaining 84.27 points, or 0.75 percent, to close at 11,251.81. 

The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.38 billion ($1.43 billion), as 188 of the stocks advanced and 67 retreated.    

Similarly, the Kingdom’s parallel market Nomu gained 157.22 points, or 0.67 percent, to close at 23,643.74. This comes as 44 of the stocks advanced while 32 retreated.    

The MSCI Tadawul Index gained 10.88 points, or 0.72 percent, to close at 1,517.43.     

The best-performing stock of the day was Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Co., whose share price surged 9.96 percent to SR5.30.   

Other top performers included Ataa Educational Co., whose share price rose 9.94 percent to SR57.50, as well as Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co., whose share price surged 5.74 percent to SR7.55. 

Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Co. recorded the most significant drop, falling 5.93 percent to SR220.50. 

Abdullah Saad Mohammed Abo Moati for Bookstores Co. also saw its stock prices fall 2.77 percent to SR43.56. 

Zahrat Al Waha for Trading Co. also saw its stock prices decline 2.30 percent to SR2.55. 

On the announcement front, Multi Business Group Co. reported its annual financial results for the year ended Dec. 31. According to a Tadawul statement, the firm recorded a net profit of SR352,172 during the year, down 98 percent from the previous year. 

The company attributed the decline primarily to a 2 percent drop in building contracting revenues and a 73 percent decrease in gross profit.  

Multi Business Group Co. ended the session at SR9.90, down 1 percent. 

Hamad Mohammed Bin Saedan Real Estate Co. announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Awwal Bank to enhance collaboration in financing solutions, advance real estate development projects, and expand access to customer financing programs. 

Hamad Mohammed Bin Saedan Real Estate Co. ended the session at SR6.67, up 1.21 percent.