Social networking giant Facebook on Thursday announced it has opened its first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) sales office.
The office based in Dubai Internet City, the Middle East’s largest technology business park, is expected to work with brands across North African and Middle East regions to help them tap into the power of social networking.
Facebook already has more than 500 million monthly active users worldwide using mobile devices. Analysts view the move to the region as a strategic move to tap into areas where Internet access on mobile is strongly embraced.
According to Internet world statistics, Africa has more than 40 million internet users compared to the world total in the region of 835 million.
Analyst say the presence of the social network in the region is a great leap for firms and individuals looking to take advantage of the power of the social network.
Speaking during the opening of the MENA office in Dubai, Joanna Shields, Facebook’s Vice President and Managing Director for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said the opening of Facebook’s Dubai office marked an important milestone for the company and its local partners.
AMEInfo quoted her as saying: “In an open and connected world, more and more companies are realizing that Facebook is the place where they can build strong connections with their customers. We are here to share our experience and learn from the many talented, creative people in this part of the globe.”
Facebook’s head of global marketing solutions, Middle East and North Africa Jonathan Labin will lead the company’s new frontier.
Labin welcomed the appointment saying: “I am thrilled to be leading the team in Dubai. We already have strong partners in the region that are using Facebook in innovative ways to achieve real results. I look forward to working with many more businesses to help them extend their reach and realize the power of social.”
BBC on Wednesday announced Facebook shares had dipped below U$29 attributing the fall — since the social site’s initial public offering (IPO) — to Tuesday being the first day that options on Facebook stock began trading.
It appears that most investors are betting Facebook shares will head lower, the BBC noted.
Facebook has transformed the means by which hundreds of millions of people across the globe communicate. It is also changing the means by which companies advertise. The giant social network currently has more than 901 million monthly active users and receives more than 3.2 billion Likes and Comments per day.
