UAE's Khazna to develop 500MW data center in Italy, while PIF launches Tasama business services platform in KSA
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Khazna to develop 500MW data center in Italy
- Mubadala's Solutions+ begins level 4 AV trials in Masdar City
- UAE's Presight launches Kazakhstan’s national supercomputer
- Mubadala, existing investors to invest $673M in UK telco CityFibre
- SCA approves new rules on goodwill factor for listed firms
- PIF launches Tasama business services platform
- GCC residents can now invest directly in Tadawul under new rules
- STC Bank launches app-based savings product Numu+
- Electronic payments now make up 79% of total retail transactions
- Over 1,300 new industrial licenses in 2024. attracting $13.3B in investment
- MSMEs to get low-cost financing under new $100M MSMEDA initiative
- Egypt, China sign first phase of debt-for-development program
- Govt establishes Real Estate Market Regulation Unit
- Energy firm Taqa Arabia lines up acquisition to enter consumer finance space
- Google introduces AI tool Flow, photo-to-video capability
- SBP's CBDC pilot to be completed by mid-2026, to unveil tech partner soon
- IT Ministry, Meta launch AI training program for university teachers
- Govt to invite more satellite internet firms amidst Starlink entry plans
- Digital India Foundation opposes Pakistan AI Technology Center's AI Alliance Network membership bid
- Google launches creative AI tools Veo 3, Flow in Pakistan
Other MENA+ Developments
- DP World inks $800M deal to develop Syrian port
- GCC developing anti-dumping measures to protect markets from countries facing US tariffs
- Moody's raises Oman's sovereign rating to investment grade on lower debt
- Kuwait bourse to restart trading of ETFs, sukuk, bonds
- Qatar Holding becomes ChinaAMC's third-biggest shareholder
Southeast Asia Developments
- Hanoi to establish Innovation Center to manage startups, advise tech policy
- Malaysia tightens export restrictions on US-origin AI chips
- Indonesia partners NVIDIA, Cisco to launch AI center, train 1M indonesians by 2027
- EU, Indonesia sign agreement to advance free trade deal
- Thailand mulls zero tariffs for more US goods to strike trade deal
India Developments
- Suzuki's first mass-produced EV to be made in India
- Smaller EV players see biggest hit from FAME subsidy norms
- US copper tariff expected to hit Indian electronics, chip plans
- Small vendors transition back to cash from UPI amidst tax scrutiny
- US, India working on interim deal to cut tariffs below 20%
