Latest news with #MudassirSheikha
Mid East Info
a day ago
- Business
- Mid East Info
In the Presence of H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri MAJRA National CSR Fund signs MoU with Careem to support delivery captains during summer months
More than 60,000 delivery captains expected to benefit from mobile rest stations, hydration kits, and health checkups ● Initiatives open to all delivery captains in the UAE Dubai, UAE –June 2025: MAJRA National CSR Fund announces a signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Careem, in the Presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of Majra's Board of Trustees. The MoU aims to enhance joint cooperation in Careem's Annual Summer Initiatives to support delivery captains during the UAE's hottest months. This year's campaign expands to offer a broader range of support across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, benefitting over 60,000 delivery captains from different platforms. These initiatives include the deployment of air-conditioned mobile rest areas and sustainable, solar-powered rest stops. These stations are equipped with temperature control, free Wi-Fi, drinking water, and refreshments. Strategically placed across high-traffic locations, they offer captains a safe and comfortable place to pause and rehydrate during shifts. Mudassir Sheikha, CEO and co-founder of Careem, commented: 'Summer in the UAE is challenging for those on the road, especially delivery captains. Our summer initiatives were designed to provide tangible, on-the-ground support to make it easier and safer for captains to earn. This year we're proud to partner with MAJRA National CSR Fund to expand these benefits across the UAE.' Sarah Shaw, CEO of MAJRA National CSR Fund, said: 'The Annual Summer Initiatives is an exceptional campaign that will offer on-the-field support and ensure safety with distinguished services for over 60,000 delivery captains, who face numerous challenges during the hottest times in the summer season. Furthermore, the signing of the MoU with Careem is in line with the 'Year of Community' and is part of MAJRA's initiatives to promote all projects and campaigns that are launched across the UAE.' Careem is distributing Captain Kits – with towels, water bottles, and hydration supplements. In partnership with Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), Careem will provide free on-ground health screenings at PAD premises throughout the summer. Captains will also benefit from added hydration and cooling services including free ice cream, fresh fruit juices, and cold water dispensers stationed across key delivery zones. About Careem: Careem is building 'the everything app' for the greater Middle East, making it easier than ever to move around, order food and groceries, manage payments, and more. Careem is led by a powerful purpose to simplify and improve the lives of people and build an awesome organisation that inspires. Since 2012, Careem has created earning opportunities for over 3.5 million captains, simplified the lives of over 75 million customers, and built a platform for the region's best talent to thrive and for entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan.
Hi Dubai
a day ago
- Business
- Hi Dubai
MAJRA National CSR Fund Signs MoU with Careem to Expand Summer Support for Delivery Captains
In a move to safeguard delivery captains during the UAE's scorching summer months, the MAJRA National CSR Fund has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Careem to boost its annual summer support initiatives across four emirates. The agreement, formalized in the presence of Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of MAJRA's Board of Trustees, aims to enhance conditions for more than 60,000 delivery riders in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah. This year's campaign will see a significant expansion in services, including mobile, air-conditioned rest stations and sustainable, solar-powered cooling hubs. These stops will provide free Wi-Fi, drinking water, and refreshments at high-traffic delivery zones. Careem CEO and co-founder Mudassir Sheikha emphasized the importance of the initiative, calling it 'tangible, on-the-ground support' designed to help captains work more safely and comfortably in extreme heat. In addition to rest areas, Careem is distributing 'Captain Kits' containing towels, water bottles, and hydration supplements. Through a partnership with the Pakistan Association Dubai, delivery captains will also receive free health screenings throughout the summer. MAJRA CEO Sarah Shaw said the initiative aligns with the UAE's 'Year of Community,' reinforcing MAJRA's commitment to supporting on-the-ground projects that promote welfare and resilience among frontline workers. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Careem to suspend decade-old Pakistan service
KARACHI: After more than a decade of operations, Careem announced on Wednesday that it will shut down its ride-hailing services in Pakistan, effective July 18. Mudassir Sheikha, CEO of Careem, announced the decision via a post on the professional networking platform LinkedIn. 'It is with a heavy heart that I share this update: Careem will suspend its ride-hailing service in Pakistan on July 18.' Sheikha described it as an incredibly difficult decision, citing a combination of factors- challenging macroeconomic reality, intensifying competition, and global capital allocation made it hard to justify the investment levels required to deliver a safe and dependable service in Pakistan. 'In the end, the Careem Rides team had to make this tough call.' Careem, a multinational ride-hailing company founded in 2012, entered the Pakistani market in October 2015. In 2019, it was acquired by Uber for $3.1 billion, solidifying its position as the largest unicorn in the Middle East and opening new avenues for startups across the region. Sheikha said that despite numerous challenges, Careem's Pakistan team remained brilliant and fearless-bold, determined, and driven by a mission to create millions of job opportunities for captains across the country. 'They (Careem Team) did not just build a service that millions of Pakistanis relied on to move and earn, they delivered significant public goods: digital infrastructure, trust, regulation, capability, confidence - all of which paved the way for countless local and global digital ventures to take root in Pakistan', he added. He said that while ride-hailing is sunsetting, Careem's journey in Pakistan continues in a different role. Careem Technologies (the spinout building the Everything App) will continue to build from Pakistan for the region. He mentioned that nearly 400 colleagues across all functions (including engineering) are building the Everything App and its ecosystem of verticals (food/ grocery delivery, payments, and more). This presence is only set to grow, with over 100 open roles and the expansion of our Falcon/ NextGen program that brings in top graduates from Pakistani universities and gives them hands-on training on building highly scalable systems, he added. 'Pakistan is in Careem's DNA-our first line of code was written here, and the country remains a rich source of innovation and talent for us. Our commitment to Pakistan remains strong and I sincerely hope to bring Careem's services back to the country in the future', CEO Careem said. He also paid tribute to those heroes who built Careem in Pakistan under the bold leadership of Junaid Iqbal. Setup in 2012, Careem operates in over 70 cities across 10 countries, from Morocco to Pakistan and creating earnings for over 2.5 million Captains. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Careem to suspend services effective July 18
Listen to article Careem, the first ride-hailing app to pave the way for many others in Pakistan, has announced it will suspend its ride-hailing services on July 18, 2025. CEO and Co-Founder Mudassir Sheikha shared the news on LinkedIn, citing "the challenging macroeconomic reality, intensifying competition, and global capital allocation" as key reasons making it difficult to justify further investment to maintain a safe and dependable service. Careem's decision marks another setback in Pakistan's struggling start-up landscape, which has seen several high-profile closures since 2022, including Airlift, Swvl, Jugnu, and Retailo. Sheikha stressed that Careem's role in Pakistan extended far beyond transport. "It delivered significant public goods — digital infrastructure, trust, regulation, capability, and confidence — that paved the way for countless local and global ventures to take root in Pakistan," he said. Though ride-hailing services will cease, Careem's presence in Pakistan will continue through Careem Technologies, which is building the "Everything App" from Pakistan for the wider region. Sheikha noted, "Nearly 400 colleagues across all functions (including engineering) are building the app and its ecosystem — food/grocery delivery, payments, and more." He added the company is hiring for over 100 open roles and expanding its Falcon/NextGen programme. Commenting on future prospects, Sheikha said, "Our commitment to Pakistan remains strong, and I sincerely hope to bring Careem's services back in the future." App users have been informed, with Careem Care promising instructions on how to reclaim existing wallet balances. Dr Noman Said, CEO of SI Global Solutions, called the exit a "wake-up call for Pakistan's digital economy." He added, "Careem's suspension is more than a transport inconvenience — it's a red flag for foreign investors. Urban commuters are losing a trusted service, and female riders are particularly affected. The move highlights deeper systemic issues in Pakistan's tech ecosystem." Pakistan recorded a 91% year-on-year drop in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in April 2025. With tech start-ups shutting down, investor confidence continues to erode. "The message is clear: Pakistan is becoming an increasingly risky destination for tech-driven capital, he added. To reverse this trend, Pakistan must urgently ensure regulatory transparency, offer digital investment incentives, support inclusive mobility solutions — especially for women — and strengthen facilitation via the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)," Said noted. A former Careem employee told The Express Tribune, "Careem was a first-mover and made a real impact. From enabling income opportunities to improving female mobility, its contributions went beyond business. The decision reflects changing business realities, and leaders at Uber and Careem made the necessary call." Faryal, a loyal user, said she preferred Careem for its digital payment options and safe, well-trained drivers. Hiba Shimlawala, another frequent user, shared her disappointment. "I just found out Careem is shutting down — I'm stunned. I've used it daily since 2023 because I don't have a car. I thought they were doing well, especially after acquiring Uber's operations in Pakistan. It always felt safer. I'll have to try Yango or inDrive now, but I'm sad to see Careem go."
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai-based Careem suspends ride-hailing operations in Pakistan
Careem, Uber's ride-hailing arm in the Middle East, will suspend its Pakistan service on July 18, citing economic challenges, rising competition, and capital constraints, ending its core business in a country where it helped pioneer app-based transport nearly a decade ago. The move underscores strain on Pakistan's digital economy, as tech firms scale back amid high inflation, weak consumer demand, and tighter global capital flows. It ends a nearly decade-long run for Careem, which launched in 2015 and became a dominant player in app-based mobility. "This was an incredibly difficult decision," Mudassir Sheikha, co-founder and CEO of Careem, said in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday. "The challenging macroeconomic reality, intensifying competition, and global capital allocation made it hard to justify the investment levels required to deliver a safe and dependable service in the country." Careem helped normalise digital payments, app-based bookings, and female ridership in Pakistan. Newer entrants such as Russia-backed Yango and Latin America's inDrive have expanded in major cities, offering low-cost models. The decision follows Uber's exit from Pakistan in 2022. Pakistan's startup ecosystem has come under pressure since 2022 as venture funding dried up, inflation surged to a record 38% before falling to 3.5%, and consumption weakened. Startups including Airlift, Swvl, VavaCars and Truck It In have shut down or scaled back. Globally, firms like Uber, Lyft and Grab have exited unprofitable markets, narrowed focus, or expanded into adjacent services such as deliveries and payments. Rising costs, regulation, and thin margins in emerging markets have added to the strain. Uber still operates in parts of the Middle East and North Africa but has pulled back from Pakistan in 2024 after announcing an initial exit in 2022.
