UAE and China to establish joint investment platforms, Saudi PIF approves 2026-30 strategy, UAE and Jordan ink $2.3B railway deal, Vietnam's VinFast targets 80% EV localization rate, India to allow companies to cut IPO size
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- UAE, China to establish joint investment platforms
- Digital Dubai launches AI+ program to train 50,000 public sector staff in AI applications
- MoIAT signs deals with national banks to provide $10.9B in financing for industrial sector
- Google updates policy to allow gambling ads for licensed operators in UAE
- UAE eases tax penalties to ease compliance burdens
- PIF approves 2026-30 strategy, targets 80% local investment
- PIF now contributes one-third of non-oil GDP growth
- Jazan City launches incentives for maritime activities, investment
- Saudi Arabia, US sign agreement for tax cooperation
- Edarat, Saudi Energy partner to provide Saudi data center services
- Visa in discussions to support establishment of Egypt's first TradeTech Sandbox
- Egypt cuts oil arrears to $1.2B
- Govt partners Drone-Tech to deploy AI-powered drones for environmental monitoring
- MCIT, Oracle in discussions to collaborate on capacity building, digital transformation
- Transport Ministry aims to develop Sinai logistics hub
- Pakistan considers asking IMF for $2B increase to $7B bailout program
- SupernetGlobal completes deployment of first satellite-based connectivity solution in Africa
- State-owned National Bank of Pakistan, ISTIQEME partner on QR code payments expansion
- IHC completes acquisition of First Women Bank
- Inaugural EU-Pakistan Business Forum to take place this month
Other MENA+ Developments
- UAE to develop $2.3B railway connecting Aqaba Port to Jordan's mining regions
- stc pay to enhance card, digital payment services with Global Payment Services partnership
- Tabby gets UAE wallet licence to expand financial services offering
- R/GA partners G42 to launch gen AI website interface
- DiDi to pilot robotaxi operations in UAE this year
Southeast Asia Developments
- STT GDC, SuperX open Singapore AI innovation center
- Singapore pushes back on USTR probe into supply chains, excess manufacturing capacity
- VinFast targets 80% EV localization rate, up from 60% now
- Indonesia aims for electric conversion of 120M motorcycles in 4 years
- Malaysian chip designer SkyeChip picks banks for IPO
India Developments
- India's trade deficit shrinks in March as US export jump, outpacing Middle East impact
- SEBI to allow companies to cut IPO size by 50% without additional paperwork
- Apple vendors export record $2.5B of compnents to China in FY26
- HBO Max expands to India with JioHotstar partnership
- RBI eases expansion norms for NBFCs
