UAE extends SME tax relief scheme, KSA inks defense pact with Türkiye and Pakistan, Oman mandates electronic tax invoices, Philippine semiconductor exports to surge, India’s NPCI in talks for UPI expansion
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Orbitworks to launch UAE’s first homegrown commercial satellite
- Adnoc to invest over $8B to expand capacity following UAE departure from OPEC
- Finance Ministry extends SME tax relief scheme until end-2029
- Emirates NBD, Dubai Future District Fund partner to pilot, adopt fintech, AI solutions
- du inks partnership with ADIO to boost industrial innovation
- Saudi Azm's Wasl gets SAMA license for digital brokerage
- TGA updates delivery, logistics rules
- Monthly crude exports to US fall to zero for first time since 1985
- stc unit, Center3 sign deal for Dammam data center construction
- KSA inks defense pact with Türkiye and Pakistan
- FRA to allow fund managers to launch hedge funds for the first time
- Two FRA fintech sandbox projects begin live tests
- Emirati investor to invest $2.7B in new Jefaira development
- Egypt, Gold Rock Venture consider partnership for healthtech investment fund
- Egypt implements mobile phone user data governance measures
- 5G footprint reaches 1,136 live sites across 23 cities
- CDWP approves Pakistan Space Center establishment
- PVARA nears completion of licensing scheme for virtual asset service providers
- SuperWize, ABHI partner to build out sovereign AI initiatives
- Pakistan to partner Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar on oil storage program
Other MENA+ Developments
- Syrian financial sector modernization plan gets $100M World Bank grant
- Kuwait retains S&P 'AA-' rating despite war fallout
- Oman mandates electronic tax invoices
- Iran ties Hormuz reopening to US concessions
- Egypt expected to join Makkah Joint Defence Agreement once technical issues resolved
Southeast Asia Developments
- Vietnam proposes 30% income tax cut for MSMEs until 2027
- Malaysia considers loosening rare earth export limits
- Apple Pay launches in Philippines, adding to Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam markets
- Philippine semiconductor exports to surge to $54B this year
- MRCB, TECO partner to develop Malaysian AI modular data centers
