New JV to develop Abu Dhabi sovereign cloud infra, KSA allows govt contracting with firms without regional HQs, Kuwait to introduce freelance visa, Indonesia and US finalize trade deal, Google to invest $15B in US-India subsea cable network
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- EHC Investment, Phoenix Technologies partner to develop Abu Dhabi sovereign cloud infra
- GEMS Education, fintech platform Leap to launch financial literacy app for students
- Franklin Templeton, Binance partner for new institutional off-exchange collateral program
- G42, MBZUAI to deploy 8-exaflop supercomputer in India
- Emirates NBD launches silver bars for retail investors, adding to investment-grade metals services
- Local content authority grants exemptions to allow govt contracting with firms without regional HQs
- PIF-backed Scopely acquires Turkey's Loom Games at $1B valuation
- Korea's CJ Logistics opens Riyadh global distribution center, entering regional e-commerce market
- Denarius Metals, ProGrowth form JV to process material from Spanish, Saudi projects
- Germany's Stada to develop $101M drug manufacturing facility in Saudi Arabia
- First-ever Citizen Bond launches, to allow regular investors to invest in govt securities
- Mubadala Energy acquires stake in Nargis gas field
- 68 companies indicate interest in Hurghada airport privatization
- Shell, KUFPEC lead Egypt's largest ever Mediterranean gas drilling project
- Ports, customs outlets to operate all year round
- Pakistan introduces sovereign AI framework with Islamabad Declaration
- HEC mandates AI education in all Pakistani university degrees
- PVARA Chairman attends Trump's World Liberty Forum
- Roshan Digital Account reaches $12B in inflows across 900,000 accounts
- US, Pakistan discuss development of critical mineral, energy sectors
Other MENA+ Developments
- Kuwait to introduce freelance visa, allowing expats to work without sponsorship
- Airbus awards Kratos contract to develop Oman satellite
- World Bank set to run Gaza reconstruction fund
- Mastercard, Ericsson partner to enhance MEA digital payments
- KFH – Bahrain, Beyon Money to integrate banking-as-a-service infra
Southeast Asia Developments
- Sea, Google partner for AI innovations across ecommerce, gaming platforms
- Telkom Indonesia to collaborate with global partner to expand data center business
- US, Indonesia finalize trade deal at 19% tariff rate
- LC Wakaful unveils Malaysia’s first social exchange
- Philippines' Aboitiz in talks to acquire India renewables firm Fourth Partner
India Developments
- Saudi Aramco, BPCL in discussions to develop $10.5B Indian refinery
- India aims to produce rare‑earth permanent magnets by year‑end
- Google to invest $15B in America-India Connect fiber optic routes
- Modi pitches democratization of AI at Impact Summit
- OpenAI partners Pine Labs to develop AI-driven merchant payments
