OREANDA-NEWS. Zain Group, a leading innovator of mobile communications in eight markets across the Middle East and Africa announces entering into a group - wide agreement with Uber, the technology company that is evolving the way the world moves, to offer Zain customers dis counted and preferential services when using the Uber platform. The partnership between Zain and Uber - the first of its kind in the region - is currently effective and operational in Bahrain , Jordan and Saudi Arabia where services are being progressively rolled - out . Preferential service s will soon be launched in Kuwait for Zain customers .

The agreement will see Uber choosing Zain as its mobile launch partner and main mobile service provider for any new future Uber service in any country where Zain operates. This will allow Uber’s partner drivers to benefit from exclusive phone and data deal s offered by Zain, further supporting the extension of Uber’s service to a wider user base as it continues to rapidly expand across the region .

The partnership aims to further improve the Uber experience with Zain providing superior network quality and e ase of use for Uber driver partners , and the two companies are set to collaborat e on the enablement of mobile payments for Uber services as well as the provision of Wi - Fi in vehicles for Zain customers in the future.

Additionally, Zain and Uber will co - operat e on unique marketing and promotional offerings to local passengers , and to Zain customers travelling abroad who will benefit from discounted services provided by Uber dependent on location and distance. During the launch of the service , free trip s and other promotional benefits will be offered to Zain customers.

Commenting on the partnership, Scott Gegenheimer, Zain Group CEO , said: “Zain is evolving to becom e an integrated digital lifestyle operator and recognizes the importance of content and u nique services. This ground - breaking partnership with Uber is notable on two fronts; one in that Uber chose Zain to fulfill its telecom munications needs across the region and the other in that it reinforces our quest to continue delivering value to our cus tomers through convenient and innovative digital solutions that enrich their lives.”

Further commenting on the new partnership, Mohammed Zainalabedin, General Manager of Zain Bahrain said, “ We are looking forward to our partnership with Uber which will be an added - value for our customer base. As a part of our partnership, Zain customers can now avail a discount of BD15 for the first two rides using the ZainBH promo code. More Uber preferentia l services and benefits will be offered to our valued customers in the future.”

On his part, Jambu Palaniappan, Regional General Manager, Middle East & Africa at Uber , said: “In today’s highly digital world, both customers and drivers need to feel confiden t in the technology they use, and our partnership with Zain is about going that extra mile to ensure our service is always - on. Zain has a powerful and wide reaching network across the region and we believe that this agreement will add real benefit to our u sers, enabling them to travel seamlessly from point A to B.”

The partnership with U ber is an example of Zain’s strategy to offer innovative services to its customers and bring new business models to its markets, further building on the establishment of t he Zain Digital Frontier and Innovation (ZDFI) business unit in 2014, which is charged with launching Zain into the digital space with the view to growing the company through new innovative business streams that add to the company’s valuation and customer service offerings. ZDFI focuses on the areas of innovation; digital services; corporate venturing; and smart cities.

For more on the specific benefits that each particular Zain operation offers with Uber, please visit the country’s respective website s or call the local customer service.

About Zain Group: Zain is a leading telecommunications operator across the Middle East and Africa providing mobile voice and data services to over 46.3 million active customers as of 30 June, 2015. With a commercial presence in 8 countries, Zain operates in: Kuwait, Bahrai n, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and South Sudan. In Lebanon, the Group manages ‘touch’ on behalf of the government. In Morocco, Zain has a 15.5% stake in ‘INWI’, through a joint venture. Zain is listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange (stock ticker: ZAIN) .

About Uber : Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for our partner drivers and transport operators. Uber's rapidl y expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer and is currently providing service in 310 cities across 58 different countries. It is already in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Beirut, Cairo, Damman, Dubai, and Doha, Jeddah and Ri yadh with plans for expansion across the Middle East.