UAE's VARA to pilot digital asset schemes involving gold, DeFi products, while BYD to expand with 7 more showrooms in KSA
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- VARA to pilot digital asset schemes involving gold, DeFi products
- Mubadala, GIC, TPG invest in Germany energy services firm Techem
- National Bonds onboards RakBank to Al Manassah sukuk platform
- UAE signs IP agreements with Spain, Morocco
- Dubai RTA holds self-driving field tests in China
- BYD to expand with 7 more showrooms, targets 5,000 sales this year
- PIF asks consultants to review feasibility of "The Line" gigaproject
- PIF to invest in Musk AI company xAI
- Surging exports, rising trade tensions to challenge oil price stability
- KSA, UAE lead battery market growth amid rising LFP adoption
- Egypt launches second National AI Strategy
- MCIT, UNICEF launch digital safety awareness initiative
- Houthi attacks hit hopes for normalization of Suez supply chains
- Egypt tops MENA gaming market for weekly engagement
- US “working on” resolving GERD dam dispute
- Govt in talks to boost Google's local presence
- Operators say 5G rollout "almost impossible" amidst structural, policy challenges
- ADB says taxes, spectrum pricing limiting digital economy growth
- Pakistan, UK ink agreement to boost trade, launch business advisory council
- Govt unveils National Tariff Policy, targets 10-14% export growth
Other MENA+ Developments
- 2Africa Pearls cable system lands in Bahrain
- Renewables contribute 12% of Oman electricity in 5M2025, more than doubling from December
- Al Futtaim launches in Kuwait
- Wizz Air closes Abu Dhabi JV, citing geopolitics and failure to secure routes
- Regional startups see 2x fundraising in H1 despite global tech slowdown
Southeast Asia Developments
- Indonesia Investment Authority adds critical minerals to priority investment sectors
- Indonesia to order e-commerce platforms to collect income tax on small sellers' sales
- Thailand begins requiring big e-commerce platforms to meet special compliance rules
- Malaysia says it has not found any evidence of illicit chip smuggling
- SpaceX expected to launch Starlink services in Vietnam this year
India Developments
- India pushes China to end trade restrictions in Foreign Minister's first visit since 2020
- Google Pay, Axis Bank to build co-branded credit card
- Bybit implements 18% GST on local users amidst tax crackdown
- Temasek eyes more Indian family-run businesses after investing $1B in Haldiram
- Tesla targets premium segment, selling Model Y starting at $70,000
