Baidu Apollo Go launches UAE AV center, KSA's KACST partners Japan's ispace, Oman plans commercial drone deliveries, Thailand's chip hub push, India's Razorpay prepares for IPO
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Baidu Apollo Go inaugurates first autonomous vehicle operations center outside China
- ADFD launches $2B global water initiative
- Qatar's Barq, US' Elroy Air partner on $200M VTOL manufacturing hub in Abu Dhabi
- UK university funding restricted due to Muslim Brotherhood tensions
- Abu Dhabi advances plan to become world’s first AI-native govt by 2027
- Aramco Digital to launch 450 MHz national industrial communications network
- WiseTech Global, Elm Company launch logistics digitization partnership
- Wadi Jeddah, Pure Advance sign MoU to support startups
- Japan's ispace, KACST to collaborate on space services orders
- Govt issues climate plan with unclear emissions-cutting goal
- Govt raises 2030 GDP growth target to 7.5%
- Suez Canal traffic for the first week of 2026 still 60% lower than in 2023
- Gold reserves jump 71% in 2025 to historic high
- Egypt to get remaining $4.7B of EU financial package by 2027
- Tpay gets digital government payments license
- Pakistan, Visa in talks for digital payments, govt digitalization reforms
- Pakistan begins blocking unregistered VPNs, including Proton VPN, major services
- MNCs raise concerns over tax refund delays, call for reduction in super tax rate
- Pakistan seeks economic dialogue with US, seeks institutionalised engagement on key sectors
- FBR developing plan to rationalise duties, taxes on mobile phone imports
Other MENA+ Developments
- e&, ZTT trial hollow-core fibre tech
- Oman Data Park, ZainTECH partner to launch cybersecurity initiatives
- Oman to get first commercial drone delivery service in 2026
- Somalia approves Public Data Protection Regulation
- ADI Foundation and M-Pesa partner to deploy blockchain infrastructure
Southeast Asia Developments
- Ho Chi Minh City to ban petrol vehicles in EV push
- Vietnam raises monthly transaction limit for Mobile Money accounts to $3,850
- Thailand announces $79.5B chip hub roadmap
- Singapore's Nasdaq link draws interest, but rules expected to limit take-up
- PLDT plans AI adoption in banking, financial services
India Developments
- Razorpay begins preparations for IPO
- Ashok Leyland opens EV plant in Lucknow
- India to end curbs on Chinese companies bidding for government contracts
- Commerce Minister visits Brussels for final phase of India-EU FTA talks
- CVC Capital Partners leads race to acquire agentic AI services firm ValueLabs for $1–1.2B
