Vodafone has signed a partnership agreement with Kuwait-based mobile operator Zain as it aims to boost its presence in the Middle East.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vodafone will work with Zain companies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq.

This will supplement Vodafone’s own regional operations in Egypt and Qatar.

Vodafone's latest financial figures revealed that revenues from its Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pac business unit were down 3.8 percent to €4.2 billion.

In total, Zain serves 41.4 million customers in eight countries across the Middle East.

"By combining the geographical reach of our companies' respective networks, we can strengthen and deepen the benefits to our customers operating in these large and dynamic markets,” said Ravinder Takkar, CEO of Vodafone Partner Markets.

In particular, the two companies said the deal would enhance their ability to meet growing demand among multinational businesses for sophisticated voice and data communications solutions as well as advanced roaming services within the Middle East.

They said they would work together to provide customers with enhanced network coverage and harmonised roaming rates across multiple countries with greater cost efficiencies.

"This groundbreaking agreement will give our customers innovative products and services from around the world,” said Hisham Akbar, Zain Group’s deputy CEO and COO.

“At the same time, Vodafone’s commercial insights and technical expertise will translate into significant operational efficiencies for Zain over the long-term as we transition our networks to next generation networks and beyond."