UAE's Core42 to secure compute from Germany's Northern Data, while WeRide gets Saudi Arabia's first autonomous driving permit
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- G42 cloud computing arm Core42 to secure compute from Germany's Northern Data
- DLD studies allowing digital currency payments for tokenization project
- Al Maktoum International to get self-driving baggage vehicles
- Space42, Microsoft, Esri partner initiative to create high-resolution base maps of Africa
- Americana Restaurants sees business recover as consumers spend more on food
- WeRide gets Saudi Arabia's first autonomous driving permit to operate robotaxis nationwide
- Meituan's Keeta expands to 11 more cities in Saudi Arabia
- Manga Productions to launch Sonic game for MENA audiences
- Kingdom still seen to be overly-reliant on oil
- Saudi IPO proceeds reach $1.8B in Q2, making up 76% of region
- Egypt, UAE to boost energy cooperation to drive regional integration
- Four firms get NBFS licenses
- Oil Ministry, UAE's AD Ports to study regional energy logistics cooperation
- Valu seeks regulator approval to launch subsidiary offering SME financial products
- Egypt, Kuwait to establish joint industrial zones
- Pakistan to expand shipping fleet by 600% in three years to boost trade connectivity
- Govt to develop esports policy with support from British Esports Federation
- Govt could offer tax exemptions to US tech giants in trade negotiations
- Meezan Bank launches Visa Global eSIM for cardholders
- Govt engages banks, exchange firms on crypto licensing
Other MENA+ Developments
- QIA, Singapore's GIC could invest in Anthropic at $170B valuation
- Construction begins on world's first air taxi vertiport next to Dubai Airport
- Revolut targets Morocco in MENA expansion
- Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy launches entrepreneurs' AI playbook
- Middle East tops China’s Belt and Road Initiative investments in 2024
Other MENA+ Developments
- QIA, Singapore's GIC could invest in Anthropic at $170B valuation
- Construction begins on world's first air taxi vertiport next to Dubai Airport
- Revolut targets Morocco in MENA expansion
- Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy launches entrepreneurs' AI playbook
- Middle East tops China’s Belt and Road Initiative investments in 2024
Southeast Asia Developments
- Indonesia to raise taxes on crypto transactions
- GoTo, Indosat launches Indonesia's first homegrown AI chat tool
- TikTok Shop slashes e-commerce gap with Shopee in Vietnam
- Thai crypto sandbox targets high-spending tech-savvy tourists by enabling digital asset payments
- Philippines studying progressive prudential requirements for digital-centric banks
India Developments
- OpenAI partners local edtechs to build educational tools using its APIs
- Draft DoT cybersecurity rules draw criticism for compromising consumer privacy
- Trump says India to pay 20-25% tariff
- Apple introduces video call support for online shoppers
- Central bank limits lenders' investments in alternative investment funds to 20%
