Amazon to acquire Dubai’s Souq.com

Global e-commerce giant Amazon has agreed to acquire online retailer Souq.com, marking its move to the Middle East, the two companies said in a joint statement Tuesday, without mentioning a value for the deal. 

Dubai-based Souq, which is one of the region’s largest online retailers, has a valuation of $1 billion.

"Amazon and Souq.com share the same DNA – we’re both driven by customers, invention, and long-term thinking,” said Russ Grandinetti, Amazon Senior Vice President, International Consumer.

Still subject to closing requirements, the deal is expected to close in 2017, the statement added.

"By becoming part of the Amazon family, we'll be able to vastly expand our delivery capabilities and customer selection much faster, as well as continue Amazon's great track record of empowering sellers," said Souq.com CEO and Co-founder Ronaldo Mouchawar.

It was reported earlier last week that Amazon had agreed in principle to buy Souq.com.

Write to Reem Abdellatif at reem.a@argaam.com