UAE govt launches centralized digital platform for KYC, while Snap opens new Saudi office
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Masdar, Silk Road Fund to co-invest in renewables
- Govt launches centralized digital platform for KYC
- Royal Group’s Comera Financial launches digital payment platform
- Govt climate fund Alterra has commited just $6.5B of $30B target so far
- Interior Ministry lifts drone restrictions for companies, govt entities
- Aramco Digital discussing $1B investment in US software maker Mavenir
- Morgan Stanley joins list of US banks opening Saudi regional HQ
- Govt joins International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy
- Citi gets regional HQ license
- Snap opens new office, launches creator's hub in Riyadh's JAX district
- Impact investor Catalyst Partners debuts Egypt's first SPAC on EGX
- Paytabs partners Azimut to introduce online payment gateways in investment sector
- JA Solar to develop 2GW solar cell factory, 2GW module factory
- Telcos likely to hike tariffs following NTRA preliminary approval
- Govt threatens legal action against travel blogger criticizing airport
- Zong 4G launches Pakistan's first indigenously-developed LLM
- Pakistani authorities suspend mobile, internet services in Islamabad amidst protests
- PTA to crack down on unregistered VPNs again
- WhatsApp, Instagram, other platforms face disruptions across country
- Govt says protests costing country $690M a day
Other MENA+ Developments
- Abu Dhabi, Brazil launch MENA-first Trusted Digital Trade Corridor project
- Chinese President visits Morocco amidst surge in EV manufacturing investments
- Agritech CMGP to raise $110M in Morocco IPO
- Qatar Development Bank invests in Islamic wealthtech Wahed
- Riyadh Metro to begin operations this week
Southeast Asia Developments
- Local platforms squeezed by Chinese competitors in Vietnam e-commerce power struggle
- Oppo to rely more on Indonesian suppliers, meeting govt policy
- Thailand seeks to retain car manufacturing status amidst Chinese EV growth
- New digital banks could launch in Philippines by 2025
- QR payments threaten Singapore payments firm NETS's four-decade headstart
India Developments
- CCI rejects Apple request to pause antitrust investigation report
- Amazon gears up to launch Tez q-commerce delivery service
- Govt to offer MNCs $5B in incentives for local tech manufacturing
- AI startup funding dips 10% QoQ, 50% YoY to reach $125M
- Starlink may not be threaten Jio, Airtel given higher satellite internet tariffs
