Analysis Tech Gulf accelerates longevity push with AI and healthtech The Gulf is establishing itself at the forefront of the world’s fast-growing “longevity” sector. Saudi Arabia and the UAE in particular are making strides in the global race to prolong life, investing in health technologies that can predict medical risk and help develop medicines. They are investing in healthtech, building laboratories to support research and […] October 12, 2023
Analysis Tech Race is on for AI chips as nations seek tech supremacy The Gulf states are expected to invest heavily in powerful semiconductor chips in the years ahead to drive artificial intelligence forward. However, US restrictions on exports of the world’s biggest player in the chips market are a potential stumbling block. AI technology is critical to developing global influence and expanding high-growth industries, and the high-performance […] October 12, 2023
Analysis Tech UAE sets itself as the Gulf’s cybersecurity leader As the world rushes toward a more digital future, cybersecurity remains a paramount concern – and the UAE aims to be at the forefront of the field. The post-Covid era has experienced a surge in cyberattacks, prompting organisations to fortify their defences. Global weekly cyberattacks rose 7 percent in the first quarter of 2023, compared with […] October 12, 2023
Analysis Tech Investors turn to data centres in Gulf and Mena tech push Investor appetite for data centres in the Middle East is soaring as the region, particularly the Gulf, accelerates its digital transformation. Experts say they are seeing increased levels of investment and interest from international operators, who are looking to capitalise on the region’s growing need for data processing and storage. Earlier this year the Saudi […] October 12, 2023
Analysis Finance Qatar makes belated entry into crypto tokens market Qatar’s financial regulators have proposed a new digital assets framework which seeks to regulate investment tokens. In contrast to its Gulf neighbours like the UAE and Bahrain, which have opened their doors to global cryptocurrency exchanges, Qatar has maintained a ban on trading. But legal insiders say Qatar’s delayed entry into the virtual assets arena […] October 12, 2023
Exclusive Sustainability Saudi carbon credit firm to invest in Middle East and Africa Saudi Arabia’s Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Co plans to invest in carbon abatement projects in the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia, the CEO of the government-backed startup has told AGBI. Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Tadawul Group, owner of the kingdom’s stock market, last October launched RVCMC. PIF holds an 80 percent […] October 12, 2023
Gitex Tech Clarification: Careem ‘not exploring’ partnerships with China’s Trip.com Careem has clarified that it is not in official discussions with China’s largest online travel company Trip.com Group to offer its services on its app. Established in Dubai in 2012 offering a ride-hailing service, Careem has grown to what it calls a “Super App”, offering a range of services from local and global companies including […] October 11, 2023
Transport Abu Dhabi plans centre for autonomous vehicle industry Abu Dhabi has unveiled plans to establish a centre for smart and autonomous vehicle industries which aims to add up to AED120 billion ($33 billion) to the UAE economy. Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has endorsed the project, which seeks to generate 50,000 jobs. Sheikh Khaled said it is part […] October 11, 2023
Manufacturing Chinese cash to supercharge Morocco’s EV battery sector Morocco’s plan to become a centre for electric vehicle manufacturing has received a boost from two Chinese companies, as the kingdom benefits from the cooling relations between Beijing and Washington. CNGR Advanced Material, a Chinese manufacturer of battery components, announced last month that it would join forces with Al Mada, a conglomerate owned by the […] October 10, 2023
Tech Investors to descend on Dubai tech startup show Expand North Star, the UAE’s annual technology startup event, previously known as Gitex Future Stars, is predicting the number of attendees to at least double this year. The Gulf state is hoping to capitalise on its regional dominance in tech startups, despite a recent decline in funding levels. Such businesses witnessed a slump of 75 […] October 10, 2023
Tech Founder returns to Dubai lifestyle app The Entertainer The founder of The Entertainer, a Dubai tech business that offers thousands of lifestyle product discounts, has returned as CEO to steer the company through a shake-up as it seeks to revive sales. Donna Benton launched the Entertainer in 2001 and played a pivotal role in its success before her departure in 2018. Now she […] October 9, 2023
Banking and Finance Late-stage funding tumbles for UAE tech startups Late-stage funding for UAE technology startups has declined sharply in recent months as the region’s risk-averse venture capitalists shy away from larger, high-stakes investments. The latest report by Indian market intelligence platform Tracxn showed only $25 million was allocated to late-stage startups in Q3 2023, a year-on-year drop of 75 percent. It reflects investors’ growing […] October 9, 2023
Energy Energy-hungry data centres present net-zero hurdle Soaring demand for GCC data centres is creating a headwind against the region’s decarbonisation efforts, and energy use will accelerate if no interventions are made, experts say. “With expected digital growth in the GCC, new data centres will need to be built, increasing energy usage,” said Ziad Al Bawaliz, president of Turkey, Middle East & […] October 9, 2023
Opinion Sustainability Carbon credit schemes are not a straight road to zero Urgent action is needed to stop carbon credits suffering the same fate as NFTs October 9, 2023
Finance UAE company to take over 60% of Telkom Kenya UAE-based Infrastructure Corporation of Africa LLC (ICA) will take over 60 percent of shares in Telkom Kenya from London-based private equity firm Helios after a competitive process, Kenya’s finance ministry said on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Kenyan cabinet rescinded a deal between a previous administration and Helios for the nationalisation of Telkom, citing “governance challenges” […] October 5, 2023
Renewable Energy Budget for Xlinks UK-Morocco energy project rises The Xlinks Morocco-UK renewables project has run over budget by £4 billion ($4.8 billion) but the company is continuing to push ahead with the project, saying that it remains good value for money. “The rising cost is no different to what’s happening everywhere else,” Xlinks’ CEO Simon Morrish told AGBI, highlighting changes in supply chain […] October 4, 2023
Economy Telecoms and transport drive Bahrain’s non-oil growth Bahrain’s non-oil sector grew to 82.9 percent of the kingdom’s GDP in the second quarter of this year, driven by sharp increases in the transport and telecommunications industries. Bahrain’s GDP was up 2 percent in Q2. This included a 2 percent increase in the non-oil sector and a 2.2 percent rise in oil-related activities, according […] October 3, 2023
Health Saudi Arabia injects $133m into vaccine factory Saudi Arabia is planning to invest SAR500 million ($133 million) in a factory to boost local vaccine and medicine manufacturing capacity as the kingdom seeks to become a regional centre for biotechnology. Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as Modon, has signed an investment agreement with the Vaccine Industrial Company to […] September 28, 2023
Analysis Banking and Finance Foreign investors turn to World Bank for Mena disputes Foreign investors are increasingly filing cases at the World Bank’s arbitration unit to resolve disputes with countries in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region. The World Bank launched the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in 1966 to enforce investor rights that are guaranteed within bilateral investment treaties between countries. In […] September 27, 2023
Finance Saudi’s crypto economy shrugs off regional decline Saudi Arabia was one of only six countries in which the volume of cryptocurrency deals grew over the last year, according to a new report. The majority of its Middle East neighbours recorded double-digit declines. The kingdom’s crypto economy grew by 12 percent between July 2022 and July this year, as per the 2023 Geography […] September 26, 2023
Tech Property tech makes its mark in Dubai Off-plan property buyers in Dubai can now inspect their potential purchase in real time and lifesize thanks to walkthrough technology. Lifesize Plans, a tech business founded in Australia, has opened its first Middle East franchise in the Al Quoz district. At its facility, plans for residential, commercial and industrial properties are enlarged to 1:1 scale […] September 26, 2023
Tech Elon Musk’s Starlink applies for Turkey licence SpaceX’s satellite internet venture Starlink has applied for a licence in Turkey after a meeting in the US between its founder Elon Musk and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Turkey’s deputy transport and infrastructure minister, confirmed that the application has been filed. “Starlink, which offers low Earth orbit satellite services, expressed their desire to operate […] September 25, 2023
