Like Etisalat, Zain's key markets are the Middle East and Africa, and
the two companies have emerged as major rivals, going head-to-head in
markets across the continent.
And as we said in The National last year, the battle is favouring the Kuwaitis at this stage:
"The two companies, emblematic of the rising economic
clout of the Gulf, are engaged in
direct competition in markets across
the continent. From its poorest country, Niger, where people exist on
average annual incomes of less than US$300 (Dh1,100), to some of its
richest nations, Etisalat and Zain are fighting a tough, long-term
battle for customers.
According to detailed first-half results released this week, Zain is
winning the fight. In every market where the two companies compete,
Zain has a clear lead, and it is the market leader in 13 of the 20
countries where it operates."
As you can see, Etisalat has had a hard time
landing punches on Zain in Africa. The UAE national operator is due to
open for business in India later this year - the question is, will its
persistent Gulf competitor be there, ready and waiting?
It is no secret that Zain, the Kuwaiti mobile operator, has been looking for expansion opportunities in Asia for some time.
Reuters is quoting reports in the Kuwaiti Arabic-lanuage daily Al-Qabas as saying the company is now in talks with an (unnamed) Chinese delegation.
And
Dow Jones has a company statement
saying that it was looking for an acquisition in India, but in 2008 "we
were unable to conclude any transaction." The report lists the
newly-licensed operators Datacon and Loop as the targets of Zain's
attention.
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