Website Fighting Yemen’s Staggering Unemployment Wins IMF-Sponsored Award

Men walk in front of damaged buildings in Sana'a on April 21, 2015. REUTERS
Men walk in front of damaged buildings in Sana'a on April 21, 2015. REUTERS
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Website Fighting Yemen’s Staggering Unemployment Wins IMF-Sponsored Award

Men walk in front of damaged buildings in Sana'a on April 21, 2015. REUTERS
Men walk in front of damaged buildings in Sana'a on April 21, 2015. REUTERS

Overcoming the brutal fighting and suffering and diminishing employment opportunities, Yemeni innovator Saeed al-Faqih came up with a revolutionary concept for a job-seeking website linking between the employer and the job hunters.

As a muddled conflict shreds Yemen with Iran-allied Houthi militias straining economic conditions, forcing many companies to abandon the labor market, and driving unemployment rates among professionals and craftsmen up, the website comes as a small but valuable sigh of relief from a nationwide frustration.

Fighting against the devastation, information systems graduate Faqih who earned his bachelor's degree back in 2011 from Sanaa’s Future University, came up with the website’s new concept.

In May 2015, he founded the website (www.anamehani.com) (Arabic for “I am a professional”) which covers many professions such as accounting, marketing, sales, electricity, plumbing, agriculture and design. The site covers four countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and Morocco.

Inside Yemen, the portal sparked a glimmer of hope for Yemenis facing life difficulties, job cuts, poor services and poor Internet access. After several months, the website achieved great success, with applications reaching 312 per day in six Yemeni cities alone, namely Sana'a, Hodeidah, Aden, Ibb, Hadramout and Hajjah.

Faqih’s website won a number of awards, most recently the IMF Innovation Labs Competition at the "Prosperity for All" conference, held in Morocco on “promoting jobs and global growth in the Arab world”.

Despite winning the award, Yemen’s turmoil gave Faqih a hard time against him participating in the conference in the city of Marrakesh, Morocco.

"I live in Sana'a, and all the airports in the northern section have been closed,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“I had to take the bus to Aden.”

“Coup militiamen searched all the passengers several times at checkpoints, and badgered them with extensive questions about the reasons for travel from the north to the south,” said Faqih.

“The checkpoints were set up every 10 kilometers. The inspection took a long time. They searched the bags, mobile phones and letters for any comments that prove if the owner was anti-Houthi.”



Apple Expands its Presence in Saudi Arabia with Launch of Arabic Online Store  

A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Apple Expands its Presence in Saudi Arabia with Launch of Arabic Online Store  

A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
A concept image of the Apple Store. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Apple has officially launched its online store in Arabic for customers in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion strategy for the region. The move also aligns with its plans to open a physical retail store in the Kingdom as part of a broader effort to deepen its regional presence.

According to Deirdre O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Retail and People at Apple, this step reflects the company’s growing commitment to Saudi Arabia and its rapidly expanding customer base.

The Arabic-language store is now accessible through Apple’s website and via the Apple Store app on smart devices.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, O’Brien expressed strong enthusiasm about bringing the Apple retail experience to Saudi Arabia. She emphasized the company’s longstanding presence in the Kingdom and noted that Saudi customers are deeply passionate about Apple products. This launch, she said, will help strengthen Apple’s direct relationship with communities across the country.

She also explained that both the online store and the upcoming physical location are part of Apple’s broader strategy in the Middle East. The company already operates several retail locations in the United Arab Emirates and continues to see strong demand for its products across the Gulf.

Investing in local economy

When asked about Apple’s investment in the Saudi economy, O’Brien pointed to initiatives such as the Apple Developer Academy, which is focused on nurturing and empowering local talent.

She described the company’s investment as one that aims to inspire individuals and support creativity. By combining Apple’s technology with passionate communities, she said, remarkable things can be achieved.

Apple has tailored the online store to meet the specific needs of Saudi customers. Features include live chat with Apple specialists in Arabic, customizable product options for devices like Mac and Apple Watch, and the ability to engrave AirPods and other accessories in Arabic or with emojis.

O’Brien highlighted the importance of making the full Apple experience accessible to customers in Saudi Arabia both online and in-store. She also noted that Apple offers device trade-in programs to accommodate users from different segments.

With e-commerce on the rise in Saudi Arabia, Apple is aiming to deliver a seamless shopping journey that blends both digital and physical experiences. O’Brien stated that Apple’s retail model has been designed to reflect modern shopping behavior, where customers move easily between online and in-store interactions. Whether a purchase begins online and ends in a store, or vice versa, Apple aims to provide consistent, high-quality support throughout.

Landmark store in Riyadh

Apple’s first physical store in Saudi Arabia is set to open in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prominent cultural destination in Riyadh.

O’Brien described Diriyah as a unique and special location. She said Apple is committed to ensuring each of its stores reflects the local identity and culture, and that the new store in Saudi Arabia will be no exception.

She encouraged local customers to visit once the store opens, expressing confidence that the experience will be both unique and memorable.

Retail services

Apple is continuing to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia by focusing on innovation, engaging more closely with the local community, and delivering a retail experience designed to support and serve users throughout the Kingdom.

The new Arabic online store allows Saudi customers to browse and purchase Apple’s full product lineup. The experience is personalized, offering product recommendations based on the customer’s current devices. Customers can also compare models, access saved items, and track orders directly through the app.

For the first time, Apple is offering free consultations in Arabic and English through the Saudi store website. These sessions allow users to personalize products like AirPods, Apple Pencil, and AirTag with Arabic or English text and numbers, enhancing the individuality of each device.

Apple’s retail offering also includes pre-purchase support through chat and phone to help users find the best product for their needs. Post-purchase, the company provides services like personalized setup, secure data transfer for those switching to iOS, and eSIM activation.

As part of its long-term strategy, Apple has announced plans to open its first flagship retail store in Saudi Arabia by 2026. This store will be the first in a broader rollout of retail locations across the Kingdom.