UAE launches National Experts Program AI Track, Saudi Fund for Development to prioritize supporting overseas expansion of Saudi firms, Oman issues new cybercrime law, Malaysia bans under-16s from registering social media accounts, Q-commerce Zepto plans $1B India IPO
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- MGX, Bpifrance in discussions to grow AI data center campus to 3GW
- National Experts Program AI Track launches, to develop domestic AI leaders
- Positron AI launches first non-US office in DIFC
- Abu Dhabi introduces rent freeze on all property
- UAE becomes second country to approve oral Wegovy for weight management drug
- SAMA mandates advance notification of investment rounds
- Oman begins construction of dry port on Saudi border to boost Saudi connectivity
- Urban Company winds down Saudi subsidiary; to focus on core markets
- Saudi Fund for Development to prioritize supporting overseas expansion of Saudi firms
- Saudi brand value improves three places to 17th globally on culture, tourism, sports initiatives
- Govt to boost outsourcing services exports to $6B this year
- Egypt to roll out new tax, customs, and property facilitation packages next FY
- OZ Mining launches gold exploration studies in Egyptian Eastern Desert
- EV sector says policy, infrastructure lagging adoption
- Egypt to establish seven new free zones, targeting $78.8B in investments
- SBP to issue SAR, AED Naya Pakistan Certificates
- Govt to impose capital gains tax on crypto transactions in new budget
- Apple launches official Pakistan store on Daraz, offering installment plans
- 87% of upcoming car launches to be either hybrid or EV
- MoITT eyes larger PSDP allocation for IT parks, startup support
Other MENA+ Developments
- ADX, Amman exchanges launch cross-market trading platform
- Oman issues new cybercrime law
- Egypt's TMG to develop $18.8B Baghdad community
- US pushes Oman to abandon neutral stance, plans to facilitate Hormuz tolls
- Binance launches regulated AED transfers
Southeast Asia Developments
- Malaysia begins barring under-16s from registering social media accounts
- ASEAN concludes negotiations on digital economy agreement
- Vietnamese diagnostic testing firm Gene Solutions plans Hong Kong IPO
- Indonesia Investment Authority allocated 30% of deployment to digital infra since 2020
- VinFast partners Nvidia, Autobrains to develop level-4 robotaxis
India Developments
- Q-commerce Zepto plans $1B India IPO in June
- US-India trade deal negotiations hinge on unfair trade practices investigation
- Intel, 3DGS to develop advanced chip substrate manufacturing facility in Odisha
- AirTrunk to invest $21B in 3GW Maharashtra data center campus
- Revolut begins offering services to thousands of users in beta launch
