Yahoo! Maktoob was once touted as a bridge between Arabic and English digital communication. This left an indelible mark in the Middle East’s online landscape. It was born in 1999, revolutionizing email services by providing the first bilingual platform for Arabic-speaking people. Acquired by Yahoo! in the year 2009, Maktoob’s story became one of ambition, growth, and then eventual decline with its shutdown in 2023. But how does such a regional powerhouse rise to prominence, and why does it fall? Let’s delve deeper into the evolution of Yahoo! Maktoob.

As the number of users kept on growing, Maktoob soon became the favourite choice of millions of users throughout the Middle East, who enjoyed-for the first time-the feeling of an online space personalized to their needs.

Maktoob’s success did not go unnoticed. In June 2005, Abraaj Capital, a leading UAE-based private equity firm, took a 40 percent stake in the company for $5 million. This strategic move was rooted in the growing user base, currently over 4 million users. Besides, Maktoob is diversifying its offerings beyond email into services like cashU, a popular online payment system in the region, and Souq.com, the first Arabic online auction site. These businesses sealed the position of Maktoob as one of the region’s key online players, and in 2006, the company continued to extend its reach with an 80% stake in Sport4ever.com, one of the most popular Arab sports websites. Finally, in 2007, Abraaj Capital cashed out at a return on investment of 75%, selling to Tiger Global Management.

The year 2009 was when Maktoob went through a paradigm shift in the form of an acquisition by Yahoo! for $164 million. Indeed, the acquisition marked not just the largest investment ever by Yahoo! in the MENA region but also one of the biggest landmarks in the Arab world of digitization. This acquisition gave Yahoo! a chance to reach the rapidly growing Arabic-speaking population and allowed various services such as Yahoo! Maktoob News, Yahoo! Maktoob Sports, Yahoo! Maktoob Blog, and many others. All these were possible only because of the support of Yahoo!, and this subsequently enabled Maktoob’s offshoot, Souq.com, to grow to a valuation of $1 billion. This acquisition marked a new and rapid growth in the Middle East digital market, putting Yahoo! Maktoob at the head of the global tech world. The euphoria from the acquisition was short-lived, however, as Yahoo! started to encounter many stumbling blocks to further and expand its operations within the region. In 2014, Yahoo! announced it would scale down the operations in Dubai by laying off half the staff to streamline international operations.

By 2015, Yahoo! had closed its last office in the MENA region, citing that it needed to pay more attention to core markets. That heralded the gradual retreat of Yahoo! in the Middle East and saw the final closure of Yahoo! Maktoob on 31 January 2023. The closure marked the end of an era, but the legacy of Maktoob lives on as the first Arabic-English email service and a pioneering digital platform for the Arab world. Yahoo! Maktoob wasn’t just a website; it was a cultural reference point-a standard by which millions of Arabs interacted online. It gave them tools no other platform could at the time, birthed Souq.com, now Amazon’s Middle Eastern outpost, and smoothed the way for regional digital endeavours

Depa PLC is a leading interior construction and manufacturing company that is highly renowned worldwide in the field of luxury interior design. The company was established in 1996 and, since then, it has always worked to a high standard, turning spaces into marvelous masterpieces. With a formidable presence in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe, Depa has been able to earn high regard for its expertise and craftsmanship. The journey of Depa started from Dubai, and within no time it set itself as one of the big names in the field of hospitality and commercial interior construction. Projects in its portfolio include iconic ones such as the Burj Al Arab, the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, and the Atlantis, The Palm. These high-profile endeavours underlined Depa’s skill at melting their thoughts into a harmonious balance of aesthetics, functionality, and innovation.

Depa pursued a vision for global expansion and expanded beyond its regional roots. Depa had established subsidiaries and joint ventures in the modern states of Morocco, Sudan, Qatar, India, and Saudi Arabia. The move would offer the company an opportunity to venture into new markets, widen the base of clients, and offer tailored solutions for a number of projects. The success which Depa has accrued is a result of an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. The company has a team of expert craftsmen and designers who are very much fascinated with interiors development that is visually amazing, functional, and comfortable. Attention to detail, the use of premium materials, and adherence to international standards mean every project will be as anticipated.

Strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading architects, designers, and developers have been forged over the years. Being part of such a network has empowered the company to set up works on some of the leading projects and expand its operations globally. Depa managed to integrate into teams with international expertise and operate culturally in different parts of the world. Depa will strive to incorporate sustainability into its projects. The use of friendly materials, optimization of energy usage, and avoidance of waste are Depa’s contributions toward the environment.

With a solid foundation, international reach, and adherence to innovation, Depa is only just ready to take interior design and construction into the future. That is not all, and the other thing that makes Depa great is something else entirely. The excellence of the company oozes from the core into the development of a healthy working environment and the welfare of its employees. Depa realizes its success depends on its talented team and invests in their professional growth and private lives.

Depa is an innovative company that strives for continuous improvements. The entity encourages its people to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. It is through this culture of innovation that new techniques, materials, and design concepts are born and have established Depa ahead of its competition.  Depa believes in giving back to the communities it serves. A wide range of philanthropic activities include education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. In this way, Depa fully contributes to society and proves that it really cares about corporate social responsibility.   The vision of Depa is still to be among the world’s leading providers of luxury interior solutions. Strategic initiatives being laid down with the strong foundation and commitment to excellence have placed the company in a position for continued growth and success.

Fosroc has emerged as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialized construction chemicals and a trusted partner for contractors, engineers, and architects all over the world. With headquarters in Europe, Fosroc also operates from the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and elsewhere, supplying its comprehensive range of solutions to meet diversified demands within the construction industry. From commercial and industrial projects to infrastructure and residential sectors, Fosroc products ensure the durability, safety, and sustainability of structures. It is owing to the commitment of the company towards excellence, innovative services, and satisfying the customers that earned a reputable market position for the same.

Since 1962, Fosroc has been behind most innovations. Some diversified and value-added product portfolios of the company include:

• Concrete Admixtures: For purposes of modification of concrete properties, such as strength, workability, and durability.
• Waterproofing Solutions: Ensuring protection against water ingress and moisture damage to structures.
• Corrosion Protection: Against corrosion of steel reinforcement and other metal components.
• Floor Hardeners and Toppings: Strong and durable floors are achieved with aesthetic appeal.
• Repair and restoration products: Rehabilitate damaged or deteriorated structure.

The commitment of Fosroc to research and development has helped it stay at the top of changing technology. It is through innovation that Fosroc has been able to develop products that can meet the varying trends in the construction arena. With offices and manufacturing facilities worldwide, Fosroc is able to provide localized support and expertise to its customers. The company boasts an extensive network of distributors and licensees throughout the region, a factor that ensures availability.

Fosroc is a partner to trust and has acted accordingly to its commitment to providing a constant, high-quality product and services. Technical expertise combined with a customer-centric approach guarantees the trust of contractors, engineers, and architects worldwide.

Notable Projects

Its commitment to excellence and expertise finds manifestation in many key, world-class projects around the world. Among them are:

1. Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE: Fosroc’s products played a crucial role in the construction of this iconic hotel, ensuring its durability and safety in such a challenging environment. The Shard, London, UK: Fosroc provided a range of solutions to address the particular problems posed by constructing one of the tallest buildings in Europe.
2. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore: Fosroc’s products were applied to this iconic integrated resort for additional structural integrity and durability. Sydney Opera House, Australia: Fosroc’s solution helped maintain the structural integrity of this globally famous landmark.

Fosroc is committed to being sustainable and taking responsibility for the environment. It develops products that reduce their impact on the environment and encourage sustainable construction methods. Fosroc’s focus on sustainability tallies with the increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions in the building and construction industry. Therefore, Fosroc will be in a good position to face the challenges and opportunities arising in the future. Undoubtedly, it is their commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability that will drive their future success.

Conclusion: Fosroc is a world leader in construction chemicals, offering diversified solutions to the varied needs of the construction industry. Innovation, quality, and sustainability are focused on by the company in its approach; it is committed to delivering nothing but the best products and services to its customers.