Under the MoU, the Ministry will assist with regulatory clearances, liaison with federal and emirate-level authorities, and identify incentives under national investment frameworks. Keeta has pledged to create more than 350 high-skilled jobs in the UAE and onboard over 5,000 UAE-based small and medium enterprises onto its digital commerce platform. The firm is planning to invest “hundreds of millions of USD” over the next three to five years in infrastructure, logistics, and AI tech to support its growth in the region.
Meituan launched Keeta as its global-facing delivery and lifestyle services arm and has already expanded aggressively in markets like Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia. In Saudi Arabia, Keeta captured about 10 percent market share and became one of the top downloaded apps in the food delivery segment — a rapid rise that illustrates its competitive push in the Middle East.
The UAE move is aligned with the country’s drive to position itself as a leading hub for digital commerce, AI, and logistics innovation. The Ministry of Investment, established in 2023 to unify and accelerate FDI and innovation projects, sees the Keeta headquarters as a strategic anchor for its long-term vision.
Keeta has committed to piloting advanced last-mile logistics systems in the UAE, including drones and autonomous vehicles, to enhance efficiency, reduce emissions, and set new benchmarks for deliveries. It plans to set up talent-development programmes and innovation workshops to ensure knowledge transfer and build a future-ready labour force.
The MoU also foresees a joint communications strategy to highlight the UAE as a global nexus for tech-enabled commerce and logistics. Additional collaboration areas will be mutually defined in line with the UAE’s national priorities.
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