Dubai free zones to get unified platform, KSA mada e-commerce sales hit record high, Middle East IPOs decline, Indonesia issues new BNPL regs, Delhi to reintroduce EV subsidies
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- DFZC approves digital unification of Dubai's freezones
- Govt-linked ADI Foundation partners mobile money platform M-Pesa to scale blockchain tech in Africa
- E& completes commercial deployment of 4-Carrier Aggregation
- ADQ gets $5B in first Greater China syndicated financing deal
- Awot launches Dubai regional HQ
- Mada e-commerce sales hit record $8.2B in October
- SAMA introduces e-check clearing system
- Group-IB, VAS sign cybersecurity knowledge sharing deal
- Halal Mark Track launches, to integrate halal standards
- Zain partners Social Development Bank to promote SMEs, entrepreneurs
- Gold-rich southeast Egypt projects worth $16B to be listed for investors
- Investment Ministry proposing trading domestic port access for six African logistics hubs
- Central bank issues 5th rate cut this year amidst unexpected slowing in inflation
- Non-bank financing reaches record $21B in 20M
- Valu to integrate Tactful AI customer engagement tools
- UAE President makes first official visit
- 5G rollout to begin in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad in Q1
- Cricket, travel, entertainment top TikTok searches this year
- PTA says Sim card owners responsible for illegal use
- Pakistan, ADB sign $400M deal for SOE restructuring
Other MENA+ Developments
- Oman govt launches healthcare, judicial, public procurement AI pilots
- Syria to start currency swap on January 1
- Libya to award international energy development licenses for first time in 17 years
- Middle East IPOs drop by a third following post-pandemic boom
- Lebanon central bank head raises concern over deposits draft law
Southeast Asia Developments
- Indonesia financial services authority issues new BNPL regulations
- Chery to open largest ASEAN car factory in Vietnam
- Trip.com suspends Cambodia govt tourism partnership over security, cyber concerns
- Philippines blocks Coinbase, Gemini over unlicensed crypto operations
- SEC transitions to platform-level actions to tackle online scams
