Keeta, the international arm of Chinese on-demand delivery giant Meituan, has officially launched services in Qatar, marking the company’s entry into the Gulf state as part of its wider international expansion strategy.
Jane Liu, General Manager of Keeta Qatar, said the firm will collaborate with local businesses to deliver services aligned with Qatar’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes digital transformation and economic diversification. Globally, Meituan’s technology already processes more than 150 million daily peak orders for over 770 million users, highlighting the scale it seeks to replicate in new markets.
Keeta enters a competitive Qatari food delivery landscape dominated by local and regional players like Talabat, Snoonu, and Rafeeq, each of which has built loyalty by tailoring services to local consumer needs—such as Snoonu’s focus on local merchants and Rafeeq’s no-minimum-order policies. Success for Keeta will hinge on adapting its global model to Qatar’s consumer preferences, a lesson underscored by past international missteps like Groupon’s failed entry into China.
Qatar’s regulatory reforms and economic goals create fertile ground for Keeta’s arrival. The 2019 Foreign Investment Law allows full foreign ownership in most sectors, while Qatar’s National Vision 2030 aims to reduce oil dependence by fostering a knowledge-driven economy. Post–World Cup infrastructure investments and a more globally oriented consumer base further strengthen conditions for digital platforms.
Keeta’s launch not only expands Meituan’s global footprint but also positions the company to play a role in Qatar’s transformation into a regional hub for digital services.
