Standard Chartered launches UAE's first sustainable escrow, while Saudi PIF's SURJ to invest $40M in triathlon series
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Etihad considers delaying $1B IPO to 2026
- Beyond ONE in talks to acquire Telefonica's Mexican business
- Enec, Westinghouse to collaborate on advanced nuclear projects
- Standard Chartered launches UAE's first sustainable escrow
- DEWA, Shell studying green economy cooperation
- US VC Harburg Group becomes first foreign firm to buy a Saudi football club
- Ridehailing trips up 104% to 32M trips in Q2
- Spimaco kicks off AstraZeneca cancer drug production in Qassim
- Record new mining exploration licenses issued in H1, up 144%
- PIF's SURJ to invest $40M in triathlon series
- NTRA says mobile import exemptions still in place
- State-owned ESIIC to build $350M beet sugar plant in Sudan
- Africa-focused PE firm Admaius buys minority stake in Minapharm owner
- NATCO to invest $26M in local assembly of Chery's Exeed SUV
- President holds meeting to review Red Sea-Mediterranean logistics corridor development
- Govt to require all utilities bills to offer QR payments
- PM's Digital Youth Hub reaches 500,000 users
- Pakistan-China Remote Satellite to launch under CPEC umbrella
- Demographics to help Pakistan leapfrog developed nations in blockchain sector
- Govt to reform corporate laws in move to save $880M annually
Other MENA+ Developments
- Morocco to roll out 5G nationwide this year with $8B investment
- Syria to hold elections in September
- GCC nominal GDP reaches $587.8B in Q4, with non-oil GDP contributing 77.9%
- Iraq to adopt Iranian drone tech for use in agriculture
- Bahrain launches national AI policy
Southeast Asia Developments
- Vietnam to tax income from digital asset transfers
- Thailand to adjust automobile excise tax, supporting EVs with high proportion of domestic parts
- VinFast opens first India showroom in Gujarat
- Globe Telecom completes first call using Low Earth Orbit satellite
- KKR to buy Singapore's ST Telemedia Global Data Centers for over $5B
India Developments
- BYD expands in India despite visa challenges for top executives
- Only 20-25% of 850M internet users nationwide shop online
- Invest India identifies electronics, chemicals as key value chains for FDI
- JSW sets up automotive vertical, targeting new energy vehicles
- Maharashtra calls for federal online gaming law
