UAE expands sovereign AI drive, KSA sports market surges, Asia-GCC payments to get boost, Indonesia mulls cutting VAT, UPI hits 85% digital payments share
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- AWS and e& plan AI, machine learning skilling drive targeting 30K people
- G42 says Stargate UAE AI cluster on track for 2026 delivery
- ADGM tightens rules for firms offering legal, tax and corporate services
- Anti-dumping measures imposed amid Chinese goods influx
- & enterprise, Intel, and Dell to develop sovereign inference AI platform
- IT minister, Nvidia chief discuss AI partnership during US visit
- Sports market seen surging 3x to $22.4B by 2030 amid rise of sports tourism
- Saudi EXIM Bank inks accession deal with IFC to boost export financing
- Logistics rents hit record highs on tech and retail demand
- Joy Forum 2025 kicks off with major entertainment deals, partnerships
- Egypt, EU to ink deals for $4.7B tranche of support program
- PM names assistant PM, head of state-owned enterprises cabinet unit
- Domestic fuel prices increased amid IMF-backed reforms
- Debt-to-GDP ratio to be slashed to below 75% within three years
- EU’s new Mediterranean Partnership Pact to enhance Egypt cooperation
- Flagship Islamabad IT park to host 120 startups upon completion
- Mobile phone imports up 2x YoY in Q1 to hit $500M
- Number of IT firms registered in KSA hits 100+ as trade ties grow
- Floods impact seen driving inflation above target in FY26
- Japan Bank for International Cooperation to back Reko Diq financing
Other MENA+ Developments
- DP World launches new route to enhance Gulf-East Africa trade
- Singapore's DBS partners Banque Saudi Fransi to drive Asia-GCC payments
- Trade among GCC countries reached $1.5T last year
- Qatar says EU law may hinder business, including LNG exports
- Oman’s upcoming National Innovation Center to drive smart tech push
Southeast Asia Developments
- Thailand tightens tax scrutiny of influencers and online sellers
- Indonesia considers cutting VAT to lift weak consumption
- Indonesia delays e-commerce tax, sparking criticism from retailers
- Philippines postpones mandatory e-commerce trustmark registration
- Apple partners BYD to make smart home devices in Vietnam
India Developments
- Karnataka to get 500K jobs boost with Foxconn’s new facility
- Q-commerce platform Blinkit eyes 3,000 dark stores by March 2027
- 85% of digital payments are carried out via UPI
- India to ramp up US imports in shift away from Middle East LPG
- Chip ambitions face manufacturing challenges despite design strength
