There can be no questioning the significance of this acquisition, not just because of the opportunities it creates for Maktoob, but for the broader opportunities that have been opened up for Arab online entrepreneurs and firms. An industry and an opportunity that has always sought validation has found it. An often neglected sector by investors, advertisers, global and regional giants has had its milestone moment, a point from which it should just move upwards for the foreseeable future. While users and entrepreneurs have always believed, it will be hard for the mainstream to neglect what we have always felt...the region will firmly be entrenched as part of the global internet landscape much sooner than many believe.

So a hat's off to Maktoob and Yahoo! from all of us here, and here's to exciting days ahead.