Middle East operator group Zain is apparently at an “advanced stage” in negotiations with Vodafone Group, over a deal which would see it becoming Vodafone’s preferred roaming partner for the region.

According to Reuters, while Zain has confirmed talks about what was described as a “strategic partnership” with Vodafone, it also highlighted that it is a non-equity deal.

In a statement, the Middle East group said: “Vodafone has more than 40 partnerships of this nature worldwide whereby customers benefit from their global scale and the in-country operator's local expertise.”

Vodafone already lists Zain’s units in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia among its “Partner Markets”, cooperating on the “marketing of global products and services with varying levels of brand association”.

The company uses its Partner Markets activities to bolster its position in territories where it otherwise does not have a presence, without the need to make investments in local operators.

It was suggested that the deal with Zain could be announced this week.