UAE plans national AI Test and Validation Lab, Saudi mining licenses up 220%, Telr launches Google Pay across MENA, Google and VNG launch Vietnam applied AI lab, India's SEBI to issue advisory on emerging AI risks
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- UAE plans national AI Test and Validation Lab
- LifePharma to develop $191M pharma manufacturing facility in KEZAD
- botim Money, Mastercard expand partnership to drive card issuance
- Abu Dhabi Maritime Academy, Orbitworks partner for satellite monitoring services
- Dubai launches 2-year agentic AI plan for private sector
- Mining licenses up 220% as investments hit $11.7B
- Careem reportedly scales back Saudi consumer-facing services
- Saudi, Singaporean FMs emphasise protection of maritime routes
- Non-oil business activity returns to growth in April after brief March decline
- First Abu Dhabi Bank partners Temenos to modernize Saudi Sharia-compliant services
- Govt approves digital-tracking system to turn Nile into advanced logistics corridor
- Arady Misr commences AI agent for property market analysis
- MCIT's ‘Digilians’ initiative boosts youth's digital skills, facilitates jobs
- Egypt, World Bank in discussions for pharma localization
- Green Sky Capital secures financing for $500M Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility
- IMF asks Pakistan to introduce rules on SWF, including ban on borrowing, participation in PPPs
- Pakistan holds first IT census
- Punjab announces plans to introduce satellite internet services for remote regions
- Passport system outage halts issuance for second week
- Pakistan emerges first in Cisco EMEA NetAcademy Cup 2026
Other MENA+ Developments
- Syrian cenbank approves collaboration with global e-payment firms
- Payment gateway Telr launches Google Pay across regional footprint
- GameStop in discussions with GCC SWFs to support bid for $56B eBay takeover
- Judan Financial converts Reem unit into digital bank
- EV maker Spruce signs deal to establish assembly in Oman's Khazaen Economic City
Southeast Asia Developments
- Singapore, New Zealand sign world's first supply chain resilience agreement
- Google, VNG launch Vietnam applied AI lab
- Grab to adjust Indonesia business as govt cuts ride-hailing commissions
- Intel shifts Costa Rica data center chip manufacturing to Vietnam
- Thailand approves $12.2B package amidst Mideast crisis
India Developments
- Pixxel partners Sarvam to develop landmark orbital data center satellite
- Japan, India in discussions for quantum tech agreement
- Govt eyeing minimum design skills target under ECMS component scheme
- TCL in talks to sell India display plant amidst localization pressure
- SEBI to issue advisory on emerging AI risks
