Dubai announces new AI, startup initiatives, Kingdom reaches 79% digital payments share, Trump seeks expansion of Abraham accords, Thailand introduces investment FastPass, cyber scams surge in India
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Dubai launches AI platform, taskforce and Unicorn 30 program
- Data center market expected to hit $3.3B by 2030 driven by AI adoption
- Emirates NBD to buy $3B controlling stake in India’s RBL Bank
- AMD and Kerno to develop enterprise AI and cloud solutions locally
- Mubadala to potentially buy Clear Channel Outdoor
- PIF invests another $205M in struggling VR firm Magic Leap
- Intel explores chip manufacturing, advanced computing partnership
- Future Investment Initiative Foundation partners Guggenheim Investments
- Kingdom reaches 79% digital payments share amid cashless drive
- Prince Khaled says Meta failed to address fraud risks, scams
- Govt eyes more PPPs for hospitality projects amid tourism drive
- National Bank of Egypt opens first Saudi branch
- Emdad partners Saudi Arabia’s EMC for joint industrial investments
- New policy to allocate land in US dollars to woo FDI, boost FX reserves
- Kuwait Fund honored for financing $416M water project
- SMEDA partners Mobilink bank to boost MSME financing
- IT ministry partners Saudi Arabia to set up GO AI Hub
- SUPARCO launches first hyperspectral satellite from China
- Unregulated online investment and trading apps surge
- Govt agrees to ceasefire with Afghanistan following deadly clashes
Other MENA+ Developments
- Sovereign ratings remain resilient amid reforms, fiscal strength
- Trump seeks expansion of Abraham accords, asks KSA to join
- du and NextGenAI to develop region’s most advanced AI supercluster
- Oman establishes center for cybersecurity manufacturing
- Bahrain launches tender to establish first solar power plant
Southeast Asia Developments
- SEA needs $4B in smart grid investments for clean energy push
- Thailand introduces investment FastPass to speed up approvals
- Indonesia announces additional $1.8B cash handout to boost Q4 growth
- Vietnam plans tax incentives criteria for electronics manufacturers
- Vietnam unveils framework for national, provincial VC funds
India Developments
- DoT eyes higher than expected satcom spectrum fee
- E-commerce platform Meesho plans $800M IPO in December 2025
- MeitY to unveil list of imported electronic parts for tariff cuts
- Over a dozen firms to launch IPOs valued at $28M in next few months
- 1 in 3 Indians hit by festive season cyber scams powered by AI
