Arabic portal for Amazon

Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer, has signed an agreement with the Saudi-based e-commerce service provider Taufeer.com to sell its products to customers throughout the Middle East. The two companies are aiming to create an Arabic portal for Amazon, while consequently alleviating some of the difficulties involved in the overseas shipping process.Amazon will become available through Taufeer’s e-Channel service, which was launched last month and is designed to give retailers a fast and easy entry into online retailing without significant investment. Taufeer.com, part of Taufeer Information Systems, also provides a shopping comparison service.Hamdan al Marshudi, an online business consultant and the founder of several Dubai-based e-retail websites, including EllaMart.com, said the agreement was a boost for the region.“If Amazon is entering the region, there is a reason for it – there is a lot of money [to be made] out here,” he said. “The money is here, but the e-commerce environment isn’t. Amazon, being the biggest player, will really encourage a lot of other well known companies to enter the region as well.

“This is a great step forward for this region to work directly with the global e-commerce community. We are really lacking this, especially since there are some problems here with regard to the payment gateways and other issues.”

Yasser Abdullah, the founder and chief executive of Taufeer, said the company was excited about signing up the mega retailer to its e-channel programme.

“After careful analysis and testing by Amazon.com, our advanced comparison shopping service was selected for its simplicity and ease of integration with Amazon.com infrastructure,” he said.