Research in Motion hopes to set tills ringing across the Middle East with the launch of its own dedicated BlackBerry retail stores.
The Canadian smartphone maker said it was opening stand-alone outlets as it aimed to capitalise on strong growth in the region, amid flagging global sales.
Sandeep Saighal, the Middle East managing director for Research in Motion (RIM), which makes BlackBerry handsets, said the first store would open in Dubai.
"We are in the final stages of negotiating a lease for the Dubai store and plan to open later this year," Mr Saighal said.
RIM confirmed it was considering launching stores in other Middle East markets, such as Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It also said it would team up with the mobile-phone retailer Axiom for the launch of the branded stores. Axiom has 700 retail points across the Gulf region. Axiom did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The launch of dedicated BlackBerry stores marks a greater push by the company into the Middle East, where sales have held up better than in markets such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Analysts said the dedicated stores could help BlackBerry retain its strong position in the regional smartphone market.
"The decision to set up a flagship store here in Dubai and in some other markets certainly makes sense," said Matthew Reed, a senior analyst at Informa Telecoms & Media.
"It could maintain and improve their strength in some of these emerging markets."
Mr Reed said the BlackBerry stores would allow the brand to demonstrate key features such as BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), and the PlayBook tablet, which has so far failed to rival the dominance of the Apple iPad.
However, Mr Reed added that the challenges for BlackBerry included retaining its reputation as a "prestigious brand", along with the competition it faced from new lower-priced smartphones.
RIM said 68 per cent of its business was now outside the North America and UK markets.
[ bflanagan@thenational.ae ]
twitter: Follow our breaking business news and retweet to your followers. Follow us
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
What is a Ponzi scheme?
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
The specs
Powertrain: Single electric motor
Power: 201hp
Torque: 310Nm
Transmission: Single-speed auto
Battery: 53kWh lithium-ion battery pack (GS base model); 70kWh battery pack (GF)
Touring range: 350km (GS); 480km (GF)
Price: From Dh129,900 (GS); Dh149,000 (GF)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Klipit
Started: 2022
Founders: Venkat Reddy, Mohammed Al Bulooki, Bilal Merchant, Asif Ahmed, Ovais Merchant
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Digital receipts, finance, blockchain
Funding: $4 million
Investors: Privately/self-funded