UAE cracks down on unjustified price hikes, KSA to designate 2026 the Year of AI, Lebanon postpones parliamentary elections, Malaysia's New Incentive Framework comes into effect, India eases some Chinese investment curbs
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Sidara completes takeover of UK's Wood Group, to become major engineering and consulting firms
- UAE cracks down on unjustified price hikes with fines
- Ardian, ADIA partner on new Real Estate Secondaries Platform
- Bybit introduces AED trading pairs for direct crypto trading
- ADNOC halts Ruwais oil refinery operations over drone strike
- Cabinet designates 2026 as the Year of AI
- MSC offers inland cargo alternatives to Hormuz
- BYD showcases new blade battery, flash charging technology
- Aramco warns of oil ‘catastrophe’ if Strait of Hormuz does not reopen soon
- Industrial production up 10.4% in January
- Govt activates package of temporary preemptive and social measures
- Egypt postpones global bond issue over Iran war
- Local gaming studio becomes trusted specialist in digital character creation
- Govt hikes fuel prices by up to 30%
- PM says Egypt has sufficient foreign currency for state needs during current crisis
- UAE overtakes Saudi Arabia in remittances to Pakistan
- 5G spectrum auction raises $507M, led by Jazz as largest buyer
- IMF pushes FBR to bring traders into tax net with asset-based levy
- Gillette Pakistan proposes buying out minority investors in PSX delisting
- Govt to table SOE bills this month for compliance with IMF deadlines
Other MENA+ Developments
- Lebanon postpones parliamentary elections by two years over Israel conflict
- Omani sovereign funds back Uzbek fintech firm Uzum
- US tells shipping firms Hormuz escorts not possible yet
- Mubadala Bio expands portfolio of critical cardiovascular medications
- Oman awards contract for advanced air mobility master plan development
Southeast Asia Developments
- AMI Labs raises $1B, to make Singapore key base
- Malaysia's New Incentive Framework comes into effect
- VinFast offers EV discounts, targeting drivers hit by Iran war fuel price hikes
- Malaysia expects progress on AI standards framework within 12 months
- Singapore to expand economic role of Health Sciences Authority
India Developments
- Govt to give social media platforms time to develop audit-ready AI labelling
- India approves limited easing of Chinese investment curbs, expedites critical sectors
- Iran war hits outlook for Indian cross-border payments startups
- Trump says Reliance proposing major Texas oil refinery
- Chief Economic Adviser says too early to assess AI impact on economy
