Dubai RDI Ecosystem launched, KSA cancels industrial expat levy, Qatar seeks to narrow Gulf AI gap, Indonesia’s GoTo gets new chief, India leads LLM adoption
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Dubai RDI Ecosystem launched to drive innovation under central hub
- ADX-listed 2PointZero Group acquires 100% of Egypt’s Maseera
- Phillips Middle East unveils manufacturing tech CoE
- Masdar withdraws from consortium seeking India’s ReNew Energy buyout
- SPARK becomes first UAE entity to join Enterprise Europe Network
- Major expat levy cancelled for industrial firms as sector surges
- PIF-owned Elm boosts stake in digital logistics platform Sahl Almadar Trading
- Aramco-DHL joint venture ASMO to develop six logistics hubs by 2030
- CloudKitchens shelves plans for UAE-KSA dual listing in 2026
- Kingdom makes up 25% of Pakistan’s global financial remittances
- Israel approves stalled $35B natural gas deal
- Non-oil exports seen growing 20% to reach $48-50B this year
- Zohr gas field gets UK exemption from Russia sanctions
- EGX to be licensed to offer financial derivatives trading by end-Jan
- Digital platform for mining investments to be rolled out in 2026
- Consultations begin to drive lithium-ion battery manufacturing policy
- Goods transporters’ nationwide strike hits supply chains, pharma deliveries
- Govt eyes IMF exit strategy after current bailout
- Pakistan, UAE boost AI, digital governance tech partnership
- Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme 2025 inaugurated
Other MENA+ Developments
- ELPEN sets up MEA subsidiary to expand pharma access
- Airtel Africa, Starlink introduce direct-to-cell service in 14 markets
- UAE workforce set to surge 12% as 1M more workers needed by 2030
- Qatar bets on low-cost power, Qai venture to narrow Gulf AI gap
- Oman CCI rolls out Tamkeen initiative to boost SMEs for public tenders
Southeast Asia Developments
- Digital banks struggle with profitability as rates drop, credit risks rise
- Indonesia’s GoTo approves new CEO amid Grab merger push
- Indonesian employers group push back on proposed minimum wage hike
- StanChart, Ant International debut SGD, USD tokenized deposits
- Temasek's biotech VC arm ClavystBio bets on AI for medical breakthroughs
India Developments
- India and Oman to ink free trade deal during landmark visit
- India becomes most active market for LLM adoption
- OpenAI, Google, Perplexity offer freebies to woo Indian users, training data
- Govt ramps up efforts to seal FTAs to tackle US tariffs
- Nasscom calls for one-time customs amnesty for software exporters
