Uber mulls entry into Kuwaiti market – report

Car-hailing app Uber intends to expand into Kuwait, and has written to several local authorities enquiring about the market, according to local media reports.

Uber is conducting feasibility studies and understanding the transport regulations in the Kuwait market, local daily Al-Qabas reported, citing sources.

Uber is also pursuing licences and necessary permission for offering its transport services.

It may be a difficult market to enter since Kuwait’s interior ministry has banned the issuance of most of the transport-related commercial licences, the report added.

Currently, the three ride-booking apps operational in Kuwait include Q8 Taxi, Careem and Grand Limo.

Uber has been hit by regulatory issues in the UAE as well.

In September, Uber X, the company’s least-expensive ride-sharing option was halted in Dubai. The move follows a decision by Dubai’s Road and transport Authority (RTA) to stop it.

The company also relaunched operations in Abu Dhabi in December 2018 following a two-year hiatus due to regulatory issues.

Read: Uber X halted in Dubai

Earlier this year, Uber also acquired ride-hailing business Careem for $3.1bn, making Careem a wholly owned subsidiary of Uber. The acquisition covered Careem’s mobility, delivery and payment businesses across the greater Middle East region, although Careem will retain its brand identity and app.

Read: Uber confirms Careem acquisition for $3.1bn

Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Company, that holds a 7 per cent stake in Careem, hailed the acquisition.

Read more: Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed’s firm supports Uber-Careem merger

Uber currently operates in 120 cities across 15 countries.