Latest news with #CARI
Kuwait Times
11-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
CARI reshapes the subscription game: A new era of value beyond free delivery
In a market where most food delivery subscriptions stop at offering free delivery, CARI is changing the game. The homegrown Kuwaiti platform is saying goodbye to the outdated model of simply waiving delivery fees and is doubling down on real, tangible savings for its loyal user base. While all other platforms limit their subscription benefits to free delivery above a certain minimum order, CARI Unlimited ''CU'' offers something no other player does: free delivery with no minimum order. Whether it's a single espresso or a group feast, subscribers can enjoy their orders without worrying about hitting a spending threshold. But CARI's reimagined subscription model goes far beyond free delivery. CARI Unlimited members now enjoy a range of exclusive benefits, including: • Deals only visible to CU subscribers • A monthly cashback code on groceries via CARI Cart • An exclusive discount on Group Ordering , perfect for friends and family • Special monthly offers on Gathering and Catering services only visible to CU subscribers • A unique discount on CARI Farm, where customers can order directly from Kuwaiti farmers • Constantly evolving perks, with new benefits from wellness, baby products and upcoming lifestyle verticals This marks a shift in how subscriptions are viewed, not just as a logistical perk but as a true value driver for customer retention and brand loyalty. The Subscription Trend: From Benefits to a Tailored Experience Across industries, subscriptions are evolving. What began as a means to access convenience is now expected to deliver personalized value and ongoing benefits. Users want more than just savings: they want exclusivity, relevance and a reason to stay. CARI is leading this trend in Kuwait by making its subscription feel more like a VIP club than just a delivery pass. What Vendors Are Saying "Definitely as a brand, we're not big fans of heavy discounts," Said, Abdul Aziz al Eassa, Owner of Three fact cows, cookie dough & Jim jams. "But considering that this is being locked only to CU customers, this actually works beautifully on repeat orders and improves CAC over time." Abdulmohsen Al Mutairi, CEO Las Palmas Group, added, "We're happy to be part of this initiative where value is clearly directed at loyal customers of both the app and the brand. It's smart and sustainable." Want to subscribe? Start saving today with CARI Unlimited - About CARI Launched in Kuwait, CARI is a zero-commission food and lifestyle delivery platform built to serve both customers and vendors. From everyday meals to catering, groceries and now lifestyle verticals, CARI is transforming itself into a one-stop ecosystem. With innovative features like Group Ordering, CARI Farm and its expanding list of subscriber-exclusive benefits, the brand continues to lead the charge in customer-centric innovation in the region. Available now on both Google Play Store and iOS App Store, CARI stands out for its customer-first experience and growing community of local partners. For more information, visit Download Cari App Stay connected with CARI Kuwait: Instagram: @ TikTok: @getcari LinkedIn: @get-cari Want to subscribe? Start saving today with CARI Unlimited -
Kuwait Times
07-05-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Yango Play and CARI announce strategic partnership to deliver unmatched value to customers in Kuwait
KUWAIT: Yango Play, the leading entertainment super app, has entered into a strategic partnership with CARI, Kuwait's foremost delivery platform. This collaboration aims to provide high-value benefits to both platforms' user bases by combining entertainment with food delivery rewards. Yango Play, the leading entertainment super app, has entered into a strategic partnership with CARI, Kuwait's foremost delivery platform. This collaboration aims to provide high-value benefits to both platforms' user bases by combining entertainment with food delivery rewards. As part of the agreement, Unlimited CARI subscribers will be eligible for cashback rewards upon subscribing to Yango Play. These rewards can be used on any orders made through the CARI app in Kuwait, providing CARI users with an added benefit when engaging with Yango Play. Bundling Yango Play and CARI unlimited under one subscription is a strategic model that ensures unique value for users in Kuwait. And by leveraging CARI's strong market presence and user base, this partnership will offer full access to Yango Play's comprehensive entertainment suite, which includes video-on-demand (VOD), music, mini-games, and Yasmina, the bilingual AI assistant. "We are excited to partner with CARI to bring even more value to our users in Kuwait," said Mohamed ElGohary, Head of Business Development, Yango Play, MENA. "This partnership not only strengthens our service offerings but also aligns with our goal of deepening our engagement with local audiences by providing them with access to high-quality entertainment and practical rewards." Commenting on this partnership, Amel Mabrouk, Chief Operating Officer, CARI, said: 'We've always believed the app is more than just about food, it's about lifestyle. Seeing the entertainment side now come to life, exclusively for our audience, is a huge step toward that vision… and we're just getting started.' This strategic collaboration creates an opportunity for both brands to drive customer loyalty through cross-platform benefits, while also reinforcing Yango Play's efforts to localize its services in Kuwait. By combining entertainment with food delivery rewards, the partnership sets a new standard for integrated digital services in the region. As part of the agreement, Unlimited CARI subscribers will be eligible for cashback rewards upon subscribing to Yango Play. These rewards can be used on any orders made through the CARI app in Kuwait, providing CARI users with an added benefit when engaging with Yango Play. Bundling Yango Play and CARI unlimited under one subscription is a strategic model that ensures unique value for users in Kuwait. And by leveraging CARI's strong market presence and user base, this partnership will offer full access to Yango Play's comprehensive entertainment suite, which includes video-on-demand (VOD), music, mini-games, and Yasmina, the bilingual AI assistant. "We are excited to partner with CARI to bring even more value to our users in Kuwait," said Mohamed ElGohary, Head of Business Development, Yango Play, MENA. "This partnership not only strengthens our service offerings but also aligns with our goal of deepening our engagement with local audiences by providing them with access to high-quality entertainment and practical rewards." Commenting on this partnership, Amel Mabrouk, Chief Operating Officer, CARI, said: 'We've always believed the app is more than just about food, it's about lifestyle. Seeing the entertainment side now come to life, exclusively for our audience, is a huge step toward that vision… and we're just getting started.' This strategic collaboration creates an opportunity for both brands to drive customer loyalty through cross-platform benefits, while also reinforcing Yango Play's efforts to localize its services in Kuwait. By combining entertainment with food delivery rewards, the partnership sets a new standard for integrated digital services in the region.
Broadcast Pro
05-05-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Yango Play and CARI announce strategic partnership
As part of the agreement, Unlimited CARI subscribers will be eligible for cashback rewards upon subscribing to Yango Play. Yango Play, the entertainment super app, has announced a strategic partnership with CARI, Kuwait's delivery platform, in a move that blends digital entertainment with practical food delivery benefits for local users. The collaboration is designed to offer enhanced value to the customer bases of both platforms by merging entertainment services with cashback rewards, creating a new model for integrated digital experiences in the region. Under the partnership, subscribers to CARI's Unlimited plan will be eligible for cashback rewards when they subscribe to Yango Play. These rewards can then be redeemed for any orders placed through the CARI app in Kuwait, effectively linking food delivery convenience with access to a full suite of on-demand entertainment. The initiative supports a bundled subscription model that combines the strengths of both platforms, offering users in Kuwait access to Yango Play's wide-ranging features—spanning video-on-demand content, music, mini-games and Yasmina, its bilingual AI assistant. By leveraging CARI's strong market presence, the partnership enables Yango Play to expand its reach while tailoring its offerings to the local audience. Commenting on this partnership, Mohamed ElGohary, Head of Business Development, Yango Play, MENA, said: 'We are excited to partner with CARI to bring even more value to our users in Kuwait. This partnership not only strengthens our service offerings but also aligns with our goal of deepening our engagement with local audiences by providing them with access to high-quality entertainment and practical rewards.' Amel Mabrouk, Chief Operating Officer, CARI, added: 'We've always believed the app is more than just about food, it's about lifestyle. Seeing the entertainment side now come to life, exclusively for our audience, is a huge step toward that vision… and we're just getting started.' This strategic collaboration creates an opportunity for both brands to drive customer loyalty through cross-platform benefits, while also reinforcing Yango Play's efforts to localise its services in Kuwait. By combining entertainment with food delivery rewards, the partnership sets a new standard for integrated digital services in the region.
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How China will end up the biggest winner from UK and US foreign aid cuts
Sir Keir Starmer's decision to slash foreign aid in order to bolster his defence budget has sent shockwaves around the world. The UK's aid expenditure will drop from 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3 per cent in 2027 - less than half the 0.7 per cent spent on aid between 2014 and 2020. In its election manifesto, Labour pledged to restore aid spending to its peak, but is now cutting it to the lowest rate since 1999. In doing so, the UK joins the US in scaling back the amount of global aid to dozens of countries across the world, particularly in Africa where funding supports critical humanitarian infrastructure. Waiting in the wings is China. Some Chinese officials see the new vacuum in foreign aid as an opportunity to gain further influence across the world, according to reports in Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post. 'The retreat of USAID will benefit Beijing in promoting its image and building up its footprint in the developing world,' one anonymous Chinese official told the newspaper. As the richest country in the world with a gross domestic product (GPD) of $27.7 trillion, the United States has been a cornerstone of global aid, by far the largest donor. China is the only country with a GDP large enough ($17.8 trillion) to go close to filling the void that the United States has occupied for decades. Even as a whole bloc, the EU's wealth is smaller than China's, representing 14.5 per cent of the world's GDP compared to 16.7 per cent. For the past 20 years China has been increasing its reach into developing countries – particularly in Africa – through traditional aid, investment, and loans. 'The Trump administration has just put America last, while handing a gift to our biggest adversaries, notably China,' wrote former USAID administrator Michael Schiffer in an article published by the Council on Foreign Relations last month. China has ramped up its global foreign aid expenditure over the course of the 21st century, from just $0.5 billion a year to at least $3.1 billion in direct aid in 2023, according to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at John's Hopkins University. The largest concentration of UK and US aid is in Africa, with both governments committing over $15 billion in aid to the region in 2023 alone. The billions that countries will lose as a result of aid rollbacks span across the health sector, education, democracy and governance, and more. USAID partners across Africa have already expressed panic and seen devastating shutdowns to operations. 'If you don't get involved in the world and you don't have programs in Africa where China's trying to buy the whole continent, we're making a mistake,' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned at a confirmation hearing in January. In countries like Nigeria, US-funded programs provide an essential backbone of the medical system, with $600 million for healthcare in 2023 alone. Now, many governments will be scrambling to find vital funding for infrastructure, whether that takes the form of global aid, or alternatively, loans and investment. Meanwhile, Africa has already been the top destination of Chinese aid expenditure, according to the CARI. But aid is just one small part of the wider world's financial dependence on China. 'For China, aid is trade. It doesn't have an aid agency as such. It is mostly done through the Ministry of Trade, which gives an indication of how it takes shape,' Kerry Brown, head of the China Institute at King's College London and former official at the British embassy in Beijing. From 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a mass-scale commitment to invest in global infrastructure development, primarily in Africa and the developing world. China is one of the world's top investors and the largest direct investor in African countries, providing loans worth around $182 billion according to Boston University, on par with the IMF and United States. It has funded key infrastructure projects including dozens of hospitals in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries. A 2021 report from the Aid Data research lab at William and Mary University found that majority of China's spending on overseas development takes the form of loans instead of aid. 'Beijing has used debt rather than aid to establish a dominant position in the international development finance market. Since the belt and road initiative was introduced in 2013, China has maintained a 31-to-1 ratio of loans to grants,' the report stated. China's spending on overseas development was around $85 billion a year, according to the report, most of which was used for loans. The terms of these deals can be murky, say expert s; with information rarely published on whether they are loans to be paid back, or grants. According to contracts compiled by Aid Data, China currently has issued $1.34 trillion dollars worth of loans, grants and aid commitments across nearly 18,000 global development projects since the year 2000. Russia is the top single-country beneficiary of Chinese financial commitments, with $169 billion dollars in loans, grants, development assistance or other unclear financial support since the year 2000, according to the database. Next are Venezuela ($113 billion), Pakistan ($70 billion), both countries which have experienced significant political and financial turmoil in the past decade, with full-scale currency crashes. The value of debt In 2023, reports in the Associated Press suggested that repayment of China's multi-billion loans was putting unsustainable financial pressure on countries who were most in debt, such as Pakistan, Kenya and Zambia. These countries had over 50 per cent of their foreign debt owed to China, and were already using more than a third of government revenue to pay off debt. And in that same year, research from the World Bank and others found that China had spent $240 billion on bailouts between 2008 and 2021; most of which were countries already borrowing money as part of the BRI. China has faced difficulties in recouping its debts from BRI loans, as some developing countries struggle with their own unstable economies and project pipelines. Professor Brown notes that while some of China's foreign investment might carry diplomatic weight, he is sceptical of whether China would benefit in this way from increasing global funding in the wake of UK and US aid cuts. 'China might use aid or investment for diplomatic capital. This carries a political price tag, in terms of China expecting support at the UN, and on Taiwan,' said Mr Brown. 'But it gets that anyway, from a lot of African countries. So, in China's mind, what's the point of giving them more money when you already get what you want?' The long-term implications of China's loans and aid in Africa and other lower-income regions is unclear, but, just as for the UK and US, it is evident that this financial support plays a key role in developing soft power worldwide. An eye on health The Health Silk Road a diplomatic initiative which emerged from the BRI, focusing on Chinese medical aid for countries in need; for example, offering millions of free Covid-19 vaccines to 69 countries during the pandemic. The free vaccine policy was credited as a diplomacy tool which 'helped improve[e] China's international image', according to 2022 paper from Dechun Zhang, as a part of its aim to increase soft power abroad. 'China will engage in the healthcare sector, perhaps, if it feels that there are other benefits. For instance, it might find contracts for its own pharmaceuticals companies,' explained Mr Brown. In light of decreasing US and UK-funded aid, China may have ample opportunity to expand its Health Silk Road in countries which scramble to match hundreds of millions in health assistance. In September last year, Chinese president Xi Jinping already pledged £39 billion ($51 billion dollars) in aid, investment, and loans to the Africa region over the next three years, in a bid to further deepen diplomatic ties. As the UK and US draw back on aid, their soft power is at risk of dwindling. The uncertainty lies in where that power will go.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How the biggest winner from UK and US foreign aid cuts will be China
Sir Keir Starmer's decision to slash foreign aid in order to bolster his defence budget has sent shockwaves around the world. The UK's aid expenditure will drop from 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3 per cent in 2027 - less than half the 0.7 per cent spent on aid between 2014 and 2020. In its election manifesto, Labour pledged to restore aid spending to its peak, but is now cutting it to the lowest rate since 1999. In doing so, the UK joins the US in scaling back the amount of global aid to dozens of countries across the world, particularly in Africa where funding supports critical humanitarian infrastructure. Waiting in the wings is China. Some Chinese officials see the new vacuum in foreign aid as an opportunity to gain further influence across the world, according to reports in Hong Kong-based newspaper the South China Morning Post. 'The retreat of USAID will benefit Beijing in promoting its image and building up its footprint in the developing world,' one anonymous Chinese official told the newspaper. As the richest country in the world with a gross domestic product (GPD) of $27.7 trillion, the United States has been a cornerstone of global aid, by far the largest donor. China is the only country with a GDP large enough ($17.8 trillion) to go close to filling the void that the United States has occupied for decades. Even as a whole bloc, the EU's wealth is smaller than China's, representing 14.5 per cent of the world's GDP compared to 16.7 per cent. For the past 20 years China has been increasing its reach into developing countries – particularly in Africa – through traditional aid, investment, and loans. 'The Trump administration has just put America last, while handing a gift to our biggest adversaries, notably China,' wrote former USAID administrator Michael Schiffer in an article published by the Council on Foreign Relations last month. China has ramped up its global foreign aid expenditure over the course of the 21st century, from just $0.5 billion a year to at least $3.1 billion in direct aid in 2023, according to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at John's Hopkins University. The largest concentration of UK and US aid is in Africa, with both governments committing over $15 billion in aid to the region in 2023 alone. The billions that countries will lose as a result of aid rollbacks span across the health sector, education, democracy and governance, and more. USAID partners across Africa have already expressed panic and seen devastating shutdowns to operations. 'If you don't get involved in the world and you don't have programs in Africa where China's trying to buy the whole continent, we're making a mistake,' Republican Senator Lindsey Graham warned at a confirmation hearing in January. In countries like Nigeria, US-funded programs provide an essential backbone of the medical system, with $600 million for healthcare in 2023 alone. Now, many governments will be scrambling to find vital funding for infrastructure, whether that takes the form of global aid, or alternatively, loans and investment. Meanwhile, Africa has already been the top destination of Chinese aid expenditure, according to the CARI. But aid is just one small part of the wider world's financial dependence on China. 'For China, aid is trade. It doesn't have an aid agency as such. It is mostly done through the Ministry of Trade, which gives an indication of how it takes shape,' Kerry Brown, head of the China Institute at King's College London and former official at the British embassy in Beijing. From 2013, China launched the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a mass-scale commitment to invest in global infrastructure development, primarily in Africa and the developing world. China is one of the world's top investors and the largest direct investor in African countries, providing loans worth around $182 billion according to Boston University, on par with the IMF and United States. It has funded key infrastructure projects including dozens of hospitals in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and neighbouring countries. A 2021 report from the Aid Data research lab at William and Mary University found that majority of China's spending on overseas development takes the form of loans instead of aid. 'Beijing has used debt rather than aid to establish a dominant position in the international development finance market. Since the belt and road initiative was introduced in 2013, China has maintained a 31-to-1 ratio of loans to grants,' the report stated. China's spending on overseas development was around $85 billion a year, according to the report, most of which was used for loans. The terms of these deals can be murky, say experts; with information rarely published on whether they are loans to be paid back, or grants. According to contracts compiled by Aid Data, China currently has issued $1.34 trillion dollars worth of loans, grants and aid commitments across nearly 18,000 global development projects since the year 2000. Russia is the top single-country beneficiary of Chinese financial commitments, with $169 billion dollars in loans, grants, development assistance or other unclear financial support since the year 2000, according to the database. Next are Venezuela ($113 billion), Pakistan ($70 billion), both countries which have experienced significant political and financial turmoil in the past decade, with full-scale currency crashes. In 2023, reports in the Associated Press suggested that repayment of China's multi-billion loans was putting unsustainable financial pressure on countries who were most in debt, such as Pakistan, Kenya and Zambia. These countries had over 50 per cent of their foreign debt owed to China, and were already using more than a third of government revenue to pay off debt. And in that same year, research from the World Bank and others found that China had spent $240 billion on bailouts between 2008 and 2021; most of which were countries already borrowing money as part of the BRI. China has faced difficulties in recouping its debts from BRI loans, as some developing countries struggle with their own unstable economies and project pipelines. Professor Brown notes that while some of China's foreign investment might carry diplomatic weight, he is sceptical of whether China would benefit in this way from increasing global funding in the wake of UK and US aid cuts. 'China might use aid or investment for diplomatic capital. This carries a political price tag, in terms of China expecting support at the UN, and on Taiwan,' said Mr Brown. 'But it gets that anyway, from a lot of African countries. So, in China's mind, what's the point of giving them more money when you already get what you want?' The long-term implications of China's loans and aid in Africa and other lower-income regions is unclear, but, just as for the UK and US, it is evident that this financial support plays a key role in developing soft power worldwide. The Health Silk Road a diplomatic initiative which emerged from the BRI, focusing on Chinese medical aid for countries in need; for example, offering millions of free Covid-19 vaccines to 69 countries during the pandemic. The free vaccine policy was credited as a diplomacy tool which 'helped improve[e] China's international image', according to 2022 paper from Dechun Zhang, as a part of its aim to increase soft power abroad. 'China will engage in the healthcare sector, perhaps, if it feels that there are other benefits. For instance, it might find contracts for its own pharmaceuticals companies,' explained Mr Brown. In light of decreasing US and UK-funded aid, China may have ample opportunity to expand its Health Silk Road in countries which scramble to match hundreds of millions in health assistance. In September last year, Chinese president Xi Jinping already pledged £39 billion ($51 billion dollars) in aid, investment, and loans to the Africa region over the next three years, in a bid to further deepen diplomatic ties. As the UK and US draw back on aid, their soft power is at risk of dwindling. The uncertainty lies in where that power will go.
