Tradeling, a business-to-business marketplace to help businesses across MIddle East & North Africa procure different products from all around the world has launched its beta version today. The platform has launched with an initial investment from Dubai Airport Freezone Authority.
The venture that is being run as an independent startup (apparently with oversight of DAFZA), is led by Tajawal’s former CEO Muhammad Chbib and CTO Mohamed Meabed. It allows suppliers all around the world (including those in MENA) to register on the platform and sell their products to businesses all across the Middle East & North Africa. The buyers can find the right products and materials, engage with new suppliers, negotiate prices, and finalize contracts using it.
It seems that it currently offers its services to buyers in the United Arab Emirates only but we weren’t able to confirm this.
Tradeling until the end of 2020 will allow suppliers to register and sell on its platform without charging them a commission as it is trying to support the companies during the Covid-19 crisis. The company said that it will also provide logistics and financing solutions (escrow services).
The company is currently in its beta stage and is focusing on online trade of food & beverages, and office supplies. It plans to add categories like beauty products, electronics and accessories, apparel, industry materials, and machinery within the next few months.
Tradeling plans to expand its footprint to Saudi Arabia and other regional markets, it said in a statement, adding that it has also gained strong interest from venture capitalists, financial institutions and large investors, notably from Saudi Arabia and the region, to expand its operations.
With the initial rollout, it has also the launched its Care Basket Campaign that allows companies to order baskets of sanitisers, masks, gloves and other wellbeing essentials for dispatching to employees, suppliers, and partners.
Muhammad Chbib the CEO of Tradeling, said, “With Tradeling, we are delivering on the vision of the leadership to accelerate non-oil trade through a future-oriented, tech-driven e-marketplace. We connect global suppliers with demand from the MENA region, offering a wide range of products. SMEs and procurement managers in the region will now have seamless access to the global marketplace, ensuring that they achieve the highest levels of operational, logistical and cost-efficiency.”
“As a digital B2B marketplace, our ambition is to be the number one search engine for business buyers in MENA. The response we have gained also reflects the promising startup environment of the UAE, and it will inspire young Arab entrepreneurs to create new tech ventures that support the ongoing digital transformation of the region,” he added.
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