Will Etisalat answer Warid Telecom's Bangladesh call?



Abu Dhabi Group-backed Warid Telecom is making a valiant push for more market share in Bangladesh but it may need Etisalat's help to make that happen.

Speaking on the sidelines of a press event this past week, Warid chief executive Muneer Farooqui told the Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star that he wanted to triple the company's subscriber base in the country - but admitted he needs a strong financial partner to make that goal a reality.

"We are willing to invite a partner, as a huge investment is required to take our operations to next level," said Mr Farooqui.

Warid currently holds a 2.5 million subscriber base in the country after only two years, about a 7 per cent market share. It has spent about US$600 million in the Bangladesh market but it has only managed to place them fourth in a crowded telecoms sector -Grameenphone, Banglalink and AKTEL are collectively said to own 90 per cent of the market.

Taking the company to under 8 million users within three years will certainly take a hefty amount of pocket change, a risk that not every telecoms company may be willing to take. The article cites that several companies, such as SingTel, Vodafone and Etisalat, have approached Ward to form a partnership in Bangladesh, but Mr Farooqui said no deals have been finalised.

Short of a merger or partnership, Warid will continue to eke out a decent stake in the country's mobile market. Penetration in Bangladesh is a scant 30 per cent, leaving plenty of room for operators to gain subscribers.

How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

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PRISCILLA
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

WIDE%20VIEW
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THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5