UAE launches pilot phase of e-invoicing, KSA tightens AML rules, Oman considers social media ban for minors, Singapore operationalizes Online Safety Commission, India on track to return to 8% GDP growth
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Abu Dhabi begins building pipeline to leverage genomic data for gene-editing treatments
- Finance Ministry launches pilot phase of e-invoicing
- UAE-made Altair satellite to launch this year
- Ayden gets CBUAE license for full control over local settlements
- Network International launches instant card-based instalments solution Slice
- Saudi Arabia sits out as UAE, Qatar, Bahrain sign onto Pax Silica agreement
- AML rules tightened, targeting cross-border capital, precious metal flows
- Türkiye, Saudi Arabia sign Joint Action Plan to facilitate bilateral trade
- Trade surplus jumps 60% to over $24B in Q1
- Hajj ministry shifts fully to cloud
- Saudi Arabia, Egypt delay start of 3GW interconnection on projected surge in consumption
- State asset sales clear path for $1.6B IMF disbursement
- EGX reviews four requests to establish investment funds tracking local equity indices
- Egypt, Afreximbank consider partnership to support startups
- Suez Canal revenues grow 23% to $4.6B in FY 2025/26
- Bank consortium 1LINK working with regulators to bring PayPak credit card to market
- Digital channels handle 92% of retail payments in Q1
- Survey finds majority of Pakistanis support 5% tax on social media influencers
- Planning committee approves AI, rail, satellite projects worth $1.5B
- Saigol Group, Juhang Energy sign MoU to localize lithium-ion battery production
Other MENA+ Developments
- Iran, US agree to halt attacks and resume talks
- Nigeria begins drawing from $5B proposed facility with FAB
- Boursa Kuwait allows SME listings with new market
- Oman proposes Hormuz fees with EU officials
- Oman considers social media ban for children under 16 with new consultation
Southeast Asia Developments
- Indonesia introduces certification rules for crypto influencers
- Firmus partners Nvidia for Batam AI factory
- Singapore operationalizes Online Safety Commission under online harms law
- Vietnam, US launch real-time customs data exchange
- Malaysia begins implementing tighter EV import rules
India Developments
- US, India hold closed-door talks on AI, chip, critical minerals cooperation
- India on track to return to 8% GDP growth
- Maersk plans weight surcharge for India-Europe container shipments
- Daikin to set up data center cooling R&D hub
- Health ministry proposes faster medical device manufacturing approvals
