Vodafone signs pact with Zain to expand in Middle East

Tuesday, 04 September 2012 07:02

Vodafone has signed an agreement with Kuwaiti telecom company Zain to expand its footprint in the Middle East

Under the non-equity partnership agreement, the British phone giant will work with Zain companies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq to provide customers with high-quality communications services.

Vodafone said in a statement that the move will enhance both Zain and Vodafone's ability to meet growing demand among multinational businesses for voice and data communications solutions as well as advanced roaming services within the Middle East.

The deal will complement Vodafone’s own regional operations in Egypt and Qatar and increase the number of countries in which Vodafone has Partner Market agreements to more than 50.

Vodafone Partner Markets chief executive officer, Ravinder Takkar, said, "Our agreement with Zain provides an opportunity for Vodafone to build its presence in the Middle East. By combining the geographical reach of our companies' respective networks, we can strengthen and deepen the benefits to our customers operating in these markets."

"The partnership with Vodafone will allow Zain to bring tangible benefits to both its customers and employees," said Hisham Akbar, deputy chief executive officer and chief operating officer at Zain Group.