UAE’s Quiqup launches Shop Local SME platform, Saudi local procurement reaches 51%, Vodafone Qatar acquires MaktApp, China blocks Meta’s $2B acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm, India’s Niti Aayog unveils digital public infra strategy
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Quiqup launches Shop Local SME-focused e-commerce platform
- Emirates Islamic becomes first Islamic bank to offer digital investments in precious metals
- Omniconn becomes GCC's first to get UL 3115 AI safety certification
- Paradigm Holdings signs DRC govt gold supply agreement
- GLP-1 Foundayo sees strong demand as UAE becomes 2nd country globally to approve Eli Lilly drug
- Jamjoom Pharma to acquire Pfizer Saudi's manufacturing facility in KAEC
- Salic takes majority stake in Olam Agri in global expansion
- Monshaat launches sports innovation incubator
- CMA proposes draft rules to enhance M&A processes
- Govt's local procurement reaches 51%
- Govt to support development of $600M Alexandria Port petroleum logistics zone
- EFG partners Infinity to offer Egypt's first EV charger leasing offering
- CBE to roll out new financial inclusion strategy soon
- Fawry, EBRD partner to finance youth-led enterprises
- Valu partners Dubai Phone to enable digital BNPL onboarding
- PVARA says companies must get approval for any crypto-related test projects
- Central bank raises rates for first time in almost three years amidst higher energy costs
- Govt-owned industrials firm HIT launches e-bus manufacturing in strategy pivot
- SBP says forex reserves to hit $18B by mid-year despite debt servicing efforts
- MoITT proposes convergent billing platform project for telecom sector in upcoming budget
Other MENA+ Developments
- ADNOC tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz for first time since Iran war
- Lenovo to begin sales of Saudi-made Lenovo PCs, smartphones, data servers this year
- Vodafone Qatar acquires cloud software for business management startup MaktApp
- Bahrain crypto exchange Rain acquires Saudi financial media firm Digital Ma’arefa
- Kuwait Re launches India GIFT City operations, ending 40-year crossborder strategy
Southeast Asia Developments
- Stonepeak-backed data center operator Digital Edge studying stake sale at $10B valuation
- China blocks Meta's $2B acquisition of Singapore-based AI firm
- Central bank proposes revision of forex rules for FDI
- Chip packaging firm Amkor to further scale up Vietnam manufacturing
- Grab's GXS Bank, Funding Societies partner on SME property loans
India Developments
- MobiKwik gets RBI approval for in-house lending business
- Digital lenders turn cautious on loans to SMEs
- NITI Aayog unveils digital public infra strategy to support $30T economy by 2047 target
- RIL to develop 1.5GW data center cluster in AP
- Cert-In issues guidelines to prepare firms for disruptions caused by frontier AI systems
