Tejari records steady third quarter growth

By the end of September, Tejari had secured 2,960 trading partners, and recorded 30,114 online transactions for the year, including e-auctions and electronic purchase orders. The total value of transactions recorded through Tejari since its launch has reached more than USD$ 1 billion.

Decision-makers at the online marketplace attribute its continuous growth to a number of factors, including an increase in initial online procurement adoption in industries such as construction, as well as greater e-procurement integration among long-standing Tejari members such as Emirates Airline.

The company's push for regional expansion, which saw new franchises announced in Saudi Arabia thus far during 2004, has also boosted its level of activity last quarter. Tejari also maintains an in-country presence Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq, and is parlaying its partnership with the government of Eritrea to make further inroads into key African markets.

No Slowdown for Online Procurement
"Tejari's growth in Q3 this year highlights the fact that online procurement has become an integral part of regional business processes on a year-round basis. The summer and 'back-to-school' months have enabled our trading partners to investigate ways to reduce operational costs and reduce administrative expenses by automating their purchasing functions," said Sultan bin Sulayyem, Chairman of Tejari.

"Bringing online major new members such as Etisalat and further enhancing relationships with existing trading partners so that they engage in activities such as strategic sourcing and asset disposal means that Tejari has widened the size and scope of its activities significantly this quarter," added bin Sulayyem.

The third quarter also marked the fourth anniversary since Tejari's official launch as an online marketplace. The company is securing future growth through its focus on customer service and developing new offerings, such as consultancy services, tailored to the business demands of its almost 3,000 members.