UAE sets out economic clusters policy, KSA issues more fintech licenses, Kuwait eyes delivery sector reforms, Thailand plans e-commerce rules, Apple to make foldable iPhones in India
Here’s a look at today's biggest tech stories in the MENA+:
- Cabinet approves National Policy for Economic Clusters
- Space42 executive appointed Chairman of Global Satellite Operator's Association
- UAE, Morocco among 14 countries in new FIT Partnership trade bloc
- QNB launches DIFC's first regulated tokenized money market fund
- Amazon opens first fulfilment centre in Abu Dhabi
- JPMorgan planning to add Saudi Arabia to emerging markets government bond index
- PIF-backed D360 Bank partners MoneyGram to offer remittances
- Foxconn Interconnect's Saudi JV to break ground on Middle East plant this year
- Mineral Resources Ministry awards exploration licenses for 25 sites
- SAMA issues more fintech licenses, sandbox approvals
- MCV, Volvo opens new electric bus assembly line in Sharqia
- Chevron, partners ink $610M deal for Israel-Egypt natural gas pipeline
- CIT Minister targets 7.7% AI share of GDP by 2030
- Noon partners Valu to execute Egypt's first digital onboarding for BNPL
- 55% of public investments allocated to green projects in FY25/26
- Online travel agency Wego expands to Pakistan
- Mining sector could bring in $6-8B annually by 2030
- Saudi Arabia, Pakistan ink mutual defense agreement
- Women make up 33% of JazzCash customer base, targets 50% with inclusive products
- Satellite internet launch delayed by slow approvals
Other MENA+ Developments
- Mastercard, HyperPay to issue commercial cards
- barq, Western Union partner to expand regional footprint
- Tadawul’s Wamid partners STV to develop marketplace for unlisted companies
- GCC food consumption seen reaching 55.5M metric tonnes in 4 years
- Kuwaiti Minister suggests creation of new delivery industry regulations
Southeast Asia Developments
- Trip.com partners Traveloka to boost attractions and tours offerings
- Indonesian stores to sell iPhone 17 with government approval
- Thailand to issue e-commerce rules to protect small retailers
- VinFast, BDO Unibank partner to expand Philippines EV network
- Indonesian SWF INA repositions towards data centres, healthcare AI, renewables
India Developments
- RBI forms panel to strengthen stakeholder engagement in regulatory process
- Apple in talks with suppliers to mass produce foldable iPhones from 2026
- Electricity demand to be second highest in APAC driven by data centers
- RBI introduces full KYC requirement for payment aggregators
- TCS, Qualcomm to establish Bengaluru innovation lab
