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‘Uber Taxi’ Launched in Jordan

‘Uber Taxi’ Launched in Jordan
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‘Uber Taxi’ Launched in Jordan

‘Uber Taxi’ Launched in Jordan

Uber Jordan today has announced the launch of taxi-hailing service ‘Uber Taxi’ in the country. Jordan is the first country in the Middle East to get Uber Taxi. Careem that was recently acquired by Uber recently, however, has taxi-hailing services in many of its markets in the region including Jordan.

Uber in a statement said that the launch of Uber Taxi in Jordan is a testament to Uber’s support of the public transport sector in the nation, as well as its efforts to make transportation even more accessible to residents and visitors alike.

The statement also noted that Uber Taxi has expanded company’s network of vehicles in the country and will provide new economic opportunities for taxi drivers who will have access to more trips.

The announcement comes almost two weeks after Uber’s acquisition of its rival Careem but apparently the launch has nothing to do with Careem already having the option to hail taxis in Jordan as the two companies are not expected to have any integration until the deal is closed.

The base fare of UberX, Uber’s low-cost car type and Uber Taxi is same, JOD 0.5 ($0.71) but the taxi is relatively cheaper than Uber X as the per KM charges for Uber Taxi are set at JOD 0.130 compared to Uber X’s JOD 0.140 and per minute charges on Uber Taxi are JOD 0.050 whereas Uber X charges JOD 0.060.

Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, Vice President of Uber operations in Europe, Middle East & Africa, commenting on the launch, said, “I am honored to announce the arrival of Uber Taxi in Jordan, and we are excited to be tapping into local modes of transport so that more riders and drivers can benefit from our technology. Jordan is a fast growing market, especially in the smart transport services sector, and through this launch, we aim to move towards our goal of becoming a multi-modality platform,”

“Furthermore, we hope that this will galvanize the development of transportation services in Jordan, and provide taxi drivers new opportunities to reap the economic benefits by using our technology to maximize their earning potential through the option of pairing with the closest Uber Taxi rider in addition to traditional street hailing,” he added.

Uber Taxi can be accessed through the regular Uber app as another car option by the users in Jordan. The company already has on-boarded hundreds of taxi drivers who are ready to start accepting the trips.

The taxi drivers, per the statement, will receive the same privileges provided to all Uber drivers and will be charged a reduced service fee.

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Yemen’s Fragile Economy Feels the Heat of Iran-Israel Conflict

Fears mount over the impact of military escalation on the Yemeni currency, which has recently seen a rapid decline (AFP). 
Fears mount over the impact of military escalation on the Yemeni currency, which has recently seen a rapid decline (AFP). 
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Yemen’s Fragile Economy Feels the Heat of Iran-Israel Conflict

Fears mount over the impact of military escalation on the Yemeni currency, which has recently seen a rapid decline (AFP). 
Fears mount over the impact of military escalation on the Yemeni currency, which has recently seen a rapid decline (AFP). 

The ripple effects of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel are being felt in Yemen’s fragile economy. The already-depreciated Yemeni rial has fallen further, fuel prices have surged following a government decision, and fears of wider inflation loom over one of the region’s most vulnerable economies.

Last week, the exchange rate for the US dollar crossed 2,750 Yemeni rials before slightly retreating. Economists warn the rial will likely continue to weaken amid broader regional instability. In response, Prime Minister Salem bin Braik announced an emergency 100-day plan to stabilize the economy and ensure basic state obligations, including public sector salaries.

The government also introduced new fuel pricing, raising costs by up to $1 per 20-liter container of gasoline and diesel. This marks the fourth fuel price hike this year, compounding pressure on Yemen’s already burdened consumers.

With Yemen importing over 95% of its goods, any increase in global shipping costs or insurance premiums immediately impacts domestic prices.

Economist Rashid Al-Ansi explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that the cost of food, fuel, and other essential goods is rising due to the weakened currency and regional tensions. Unlike neighboring countries, he added, Yemen lacks the fiscal space and policy flexibility to absorb such shocks.

Adding to the strain, foreign currency reserves are being depleted as locals rush to convert their savings into dollars or gold amid fears of an open war between Israel and Iran. This has raised concerns of further rial depreciation and capital flight, according to economist Fares Al-Najjar.

Al-Najjar also warned that remittance flows - Yemen’s main source of foreign currency - may decline due to global uncertainty, reducing the central bank’s ability to stabilize the market. The government is already struggling to fund basic services, including electricity in Aden and water supply in Taiz.

Experts are particularly concerned about potential disruption to maritime trade. If military tensions spill over into the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden, Yemen’s surrounding waters could be labeled “high-risk zones,” driving shipping and insurance costs up by as much as 300%. This would cripple import flows and make oil exports - Yemen’s last lifeline for foreign currency - nearly impossible.