UAE trials biometric payments, Saudi PIF refocuses towards pragmatic spending, Jordan sees record investment spending, Vietnam and EU to boost tech cooperation, India to expand definition of startups
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- ADGM publishes consultation on bringing crypto mining under commercial licensing remit
- PureLab to adopt LODD drones for Abu Dhabi blood sample transfers
- Primark plans three Dubai stores as it expands to the region
- CBUAE working on Middle East's first biometric payment solution
- Universal Digital launches first CBUAE-registered USD stablecoin
- PIF refocuses towards pragmatic spending, winding down risks of economic overheating
- Lockheed Martin unveils Riyadh software factory
- Ramadan sales season for retail, online stores to start on Feb 1
- MIS renews $483M credit facility for data center projects
- Light crude price to be discounted for the first time since 2020
- ValU partners Volta to finance locally manufactured electric mobility offerings
- House of Representatives to launch dialogue on rules for children's use of digital platforms
- ADCB Egypt launches Temenos Payments Hub to support crossborder payments
- Non-oil exports up 17% as trade deficit narrows
- OPPO opens experience, service store
- Local assemblers to supply almost 2M 5G-enabled phones ahead of spectrum rollout
- Lahore High Court seeks govt reply on ban of social media for children
- Pakistan, China develop digital platform for mining sector, targeting $10B investment
- NBFC Zanda, ABHI Microfinance Bank partner on digital lending solutions
- Federal Constitutional Court clears super tax provisions
Other MENA+ Developments
- France, Morocco, Tunisia complete final splice of Medusa submarine cable
- AD Ports partners BigBear.ai to co-develop digital customs solutions
- EU energy chief seeks more Qatar LNG to cut reliance on US
- Oman launches program to develop CubeSat satellite
- Jordan saw record investment spending last year
Southeast Asia Developments
- Vietnam, EU to boost cooperation on tech, investment, trade
- GIC, Sony form JV to invest $2-3B in music streaming copyrights
- Singapore orders Facebook to expand anti-scam measures
- MSCI flags Indonesian stocks' transparency risks, concerns over investability
- Chulalalongkorn University, IBM, launch Thai quantum R&D hub
India Developments
- Emirates NBD becomes region's first investment bank to get SEBI merchant banking licence
- UAE's Adnic to open branch in IFSC
- Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone sets up Dubai subsidiary
- US Treasury Secretary expresses disappointment at EU-India trade deal
- Govt expected to expand definition of startups to include deep-techs, cooperatives
