Amazon to support Saudi logistics startups with its Delivery Service Partner program

Amazon-Monshaat
Representational image
By Arya M Nair, Official Reporter
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The eCommerce giant, Amazon has launched the latest iteration of its global Delivery Service Partner program to Saudi Arabia that empowers local entrepreneurs to set up and manage their own logistics businesses delivering Amazon packages.

Saudi Arabia is the first country in the region to host the flagship program, which will be expanded to cover the MENA region at a later stage. Launched in collaboration with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) General Authority, Monsha’at. The program aims to establish more than 30 new local start-ups and create hundreds of job opportunities within the local logistics sector during the program’s first three years.

The Delivery Service Partner program was announced during a ceremony held at Monsha’at’s headquarters in Riyadh and attended by the Authority’s Governor Eng. Saleh Al-Rasheed and Mr. Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon MENA.

Saudi entrepreneurs who join the Delivery Service Partner program can leverage various benefits, including a specific delivery volume from Amazon, access to the company’s sophisticated delivery technology, hands-on training, and discounts on a suite of assets and services such as Amazon-branded vehicles, branded uniforms, and comprehensive insurance.

Saleh Al-Rasheed
Saleh Al-Rasheed
Governor – Monshaat

“SMEs are a key contributor to the national economy, and we at Monsha’at are keen to support and enable this vital sector through several programs, agreements and public-private sector partnerships. This initiative from Amazon reflects this spirit of cooperation and represents a key outcome of the agreements signed during the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC), which was organized by Monsha’at in cooperation with the Global Entrepreneurship Network. We look forward to this ambitious program achieving its goal of supporting the entrepreneurial environment in the Kingdom and emerging as a leading model for partnerships between the public and private sectors.”

Mr. Mouchawar said that “Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurs inspire us with their vision, grit, and ingenuity as they set new benchmarks in customer-centric thinking every day. At Amazon, we reiterate our commitment to championing SMEs across the region. With our new Delivery Service Partner program, we provide the tools, technology, and know-how for any interested Saudi entrepreneur to set up and run their own logistics company. Through this initiative, we aim to empower enterprising innovators, enable start-ups and emerging brands across the Kingdom to realize their full potential, and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s strong, fast-growing digital economy.”

Amazon will take an active role in its partnership with each entrepreneur, helping to minimize start-up costs by securing the most favorable terms for resources needed to operate a delivery business.

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