Going to a supermarket to do some grocery shopping? That is so three years ago! Bahraini-based startup GetBaqala has managed to rival one of the favorite past times for Bahrainis, and that is walking around any given grocery store and leaving with three plastic bags filled with everything they never knew they wanted.
Launching in 2016, GetBaqala had their eyes set towards the horizons beyond their headquarters in the Kingdom of Bahrain and their first stop? None other than the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!
One of the co-founders and CEO of GetBaqala, Amjad Puliyali, addressed the strategic expansion of his business into international waters, as well as the new addition to their ever-expanding team which now includes a Managing Director in Saudi Arabia to oversee their operations, co-founder Mashari Al Omayyer.
Amjad discusses the future plans of the once startup, that is growing into an SME (small-to-medium enterprise) as they prepare to continue growing all across the GCC, and testing out their potential in the biggest market regionally will surely be a lucrative learning experience that compliments their current level of operation in Bahrain, ensuring that “it’s great to have this good combination of markets.”
What more does GetBaqala have up their sleeve? Well, considering they assigned Mashari Al Omayyer with such an integral and vital role, a decision influenced by his professional background that includes significant exposure in the startup scene as well as work experience in San Francisco. Al Omayyer also added, “I was fortunate enough to hear about GetBaqala in Bahrain and I met with Amjad to partner in the expansion.”
Additionally, Amjad also stated that they ”believe with e-commerce and Mobile – we could clearly help SME’s and local merchants going online.” With a plan set to continuously innovate, and implement different strategies, as well as an initiative that enables “small & medium business to sell online direct to consumers,” which includes enabling “farmers to sell directly to consumers, promising that they ‘will never stop experimenting with our business models.”