Mubadala becomes GCC's most active SWF, KSA consumer spending up 3.5%, MNT-Halan launches region’s only live IPO, Philippines’ GCash seeks $845M IPO, US trade representative Greer says India trade deal not 'imminent
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Mashreq, Citi complete cross-border transaction using SWIFT blockchain ledger
- Orbitworks launches UAE's first locally built commercial satellite Altair-1
- Mubadala outpaces PIF to become GCC's most active SWF in YTD 2026
- HR AI firm Workday expands to UAE
- Citi extends digital asset services to UAE
- IFS, Echelon partner to offer industrial AI to Saudi enterprises
- Bloomberg launches new Riyadh office
- Saudi Arabia to locally produce Rolls-Royce engines
- Consumer spending up 3.5% on hotel, recreation gains
- FIFAe World Cup teams consider withdrawal over safety concerns
- Egypt targets July 2027 start date for Ain Sokhna-Marsa Matrouh high-speed rail
- Banque du Caire, Misr Life Insurance IPOs to launch by November
- Instant payments reach $82.7B in Q2 2026 with 22M users
- Ethiopian diplomatic spat with Egypt, Eritrea escalates
- Net foreign assets rise to highest since January 2020
- Finance Mister says Pakistan could regain B+ rating by end of FY27 on reforms
- Fashion brand Khaadi plans record IPO
- SECP proposes raising microfinance limits
- Content creators push back against new tax
- FBR to map markets, shops following poor response to tax scheme
Other MENA+ Developments
- MNT-Halan launches region’s only live IPO
- NaiTel to connect MEDUSA submarine cable system to Aqaba via Coral Bridge
- IMF says Lebanon needs to push through reforms to secure program
- Attijariwafa Bank to acquire Société Générale Ghana
- UAE to study rail line from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to Pakistan's seaports
Southeast Asia Developments
- GCash seeks $845M IPO, at lower valuation amidst market conditions
- Disney+, Vidio partner for Indonesia streaming bundle
- Vietnamese authority calls for curbing impact of AI-generated short videos
- Samsung to invest $1.9B in Vietnam chip substrate expansion
- Temasek says AI spending still at comfortable levels
India Developments
- US trade representative Greer says India trade deal not 'imminent'
- Airtel Money prices IPO at $7B valuation
- Canada, India target $70B in trade in five years amidst CEPA talks
- UPI transactions dip to 24B in September
- Govt tells Supreme Court it plans to amend IT intermediary rules for age-gated social media
