Zoho plans expansion in MEA

Zoho, the global technology company offering the most extensive suite of business software in the industry, on the occasion of its annual user conference, Zoholics Dubai, announced its plans to implement transnational localism in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region on Monday.

Transnational localism is about being locally rooted, while staying globally connected. As part of its efforts, Zoho will open offices in the region, hire locally, forge partnerships, invest in local business communities, adopt the local culture in its business operations, and support initiatives focused on creating self-reliant regional economies. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Zoho Corp.

Zoho Corp, which was incorporated in 1996, has completed 25 years of being a global technology provider in 2021.

"Zoho has been built on values and convictions. We do not measure our success in numbers, but the impact we have had on our employees, their families, customers, industry, ecosystem and the local communities," said Sridhar Vembu, CEO and Co-Founder, Zoho Corp.

"Our purpose has been to create opportunities for those who don't have them, build compelling products for our customers, and serve geographical locations that have not been served before. We want to continue being a catalyst for change, inspiring others and emerging as a top technology leader, all the while serving those whom we impact more broadly and deeply."

The global brand plans to open new offices in KSA, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Nigeria, Kenya and other countries in the region. Zoho will adopt a hub-and-spoke office model in the region, with Dubai acting as the hub for offices in the GCC countries.

The company plans to open data centres in the region, including in the UAE with an initial investment expected in the range of $7 million to $10 million.

In 2020, despite the pandemic, Zoho has grown more than 30 per cent in the MEA region, and reported a 37 per cent growth in customers in the UAE. It also relocated to a bigger office at Dubai Internet City before the pandemic to accommodate its growing team.

Over the last year, Zoho has announced initiatives like ESAP and Vertical Relief Program, launched new products such as Bigin and BackToWork, and added updates to Workplace (its enterprise collaboration suite) to help businesses pivot and adapt to the remote and hybrid work models. Zoho also partnered with Dubai Economy in October 2020 to help local businesses gain access to enterprise-grade technology through subsidies and exclusive support. Around 1000 Dubai businesses have benefited from it.

"Zoho follows a long-term approach, and therefore, our growth will be rooted in closely working with and serving the local communities, while staying connected through shared knowledge and culture," said Hyther Nizam, President MEA, Zoho Corp.

"We have already taken steps in this direction by increasing our local hirings, and bolstering our partner network. A strong local presence will help us in effectively addressing the needs of local businesses and add a personal touch to our services. We are also actively partnering with organizations and local business networks to lower the access barriers to enterprise technology, and serve customers of all sizes. We have already created strong footprints in the UAE, and want to replicate it in other countries in the region." — sandhya@khaleejtimes.com