China's Meituan expands food delivery arm Keeta to UAE in Middle East push

Chinese on-demand service company Meituan has launched its international food delivery brand, Keeta, in Dubai, marking its entry into the United Arab Emirates and its third new market in the Middle East in just 40 days.

The expansion follows Keeta's rollout in Qatar in August and Kuwait earlier this month. The UAE becomes Keeta's fourth hub in the Gulf, after Saudi Arabia in September 2024. Meituan said preparations are also under way to extend Keeta's operations to Abu Dhabi.

Dubai, the UAE's largest city and a regional financial hub, offers high consumption demand, advanced infrastructure and strong demand for premium delivery services, making it a key target for global platforms.

Meituan said Keeta has grown rapidly in Saudi Arabia over the past year, driven by reliable logistics, competitive pricing and a diverse product range, all while supporting local merchants and couriers. Its entry into Qatar, Kuwait and now the UAE signals an accelerated regional push as the company steps up its international footprint.

Dubai also serves as the first overseas market for Keeta Drone, Meituan's unmanned aerial delivery service. The company secured a beyond-visual-line-of-sight license from Dubai's civil aviation regulator late last year and has since begun regular drone delivery routes for food, beverages, desserts and pharmaceuticals.