Kezad Group

AD Ports launches KEZAD Group to streamline services for strategic industries

The launch of KEZAD Group opens new opportunities to scale up adjacent businesses such as KEZAD Communities, which provides integrated solutions for staff residential communities

EFG Hermes Holding hosts 16th annual conference in Dubai

EFG Hermes Holding hosts 16th annual conference in Dubai

Around 205 companies from 33 countries are participating in the conference, which is themed ‘Weathering Inflation – Finding Focus in Frontier Emerging Markets (FEM)’

Perth

Qatar Airways to reintroduce A380 on Perth route

The airline carried over 330,000 passengers in and out of Australia between March 2020 and December 2021 via commercial flights and special chartered services

TikTok launches podcast series

TikTok launches podcast series ‘The Future of Retail’ in the GCC

The podcasts will shed light on the evolution of the industry, and feature discussions with some of the retail sector’s most prolific players

technology

Insights: Advancing the role of tax authorities through technology

Tax authorities are aggressively adopting artificial intelligence to generate and preserve taxpayer data

HSBC executes first blockchain transaction for Middle East’s automotive sector

The Contour platform deploys decentralised technology to integrate digital networks for transfer of data across trade routes

Oracle Saudi

Oracle appoints Reham Almusa as country leader for Saudi Arabia

Almusa joined Oracle in April 2021 as cloud applications director, following which she was given the additional responsibility of leading the brand’s public sector business in the kingdom

HUAWEI Matebook X Pro

Hands-on review: Huawei MateBook X Pro

The upgraded features in the laptop make it an ideal device for business professionals and students

Burjeel-Medical-City_IHC

Abu Dhabi-based IHC acquires 15% stake in Burjeel Holdings

The acquisition will aim to continue to scale and diversify IHC’s investment in the healthcare sector locally and regionally

Lazard names a woman as Saudi chair to grow Mideast advisory unit

Sarah Al-Suhaimi was named chair of the Saudi stock exchange in 2017

Crypto

Bitcoin, Ether extend crypto selloff as big Fed rate hike looms

An Ether jump since mid-June that was spurred by hype around an upgrade of the Ethereum blockchain is rapidly unwinding

Number plate

Dubai number plate ‘AA 13’ nets Dhs4.42m in auction

Proceeds from the 110th open auction held by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority totalled Dhs37.328m

ARIA invests in four plants in Sharjah's Hamriya free Zone

ARIA Commodities to invest Dhs154m in projects in Sharjah’s Hamriyah Free Zone

ARIA Commodities has launched four projects in HFZA, including a bitumen plant, multipurpose refinery, storage terminal and tire recycling plant

Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister and the secretary general of the Digital Cooperation Organization in Riyadh

Digital Cooperation Organization to establish HQ in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Djibouti, Kuwait, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Jordan and Rwanda are member states of the organisation founded to drive collaboration in digital transformation

bread

UAE announces launch of ‘Bread for All’ initiative to support underprivileged families

The initiative aims to provide fresh bread to those in need through smart machines

Real-time payments

Real-time payments set to underpin economic growth in the GCC

ACI Worldwide lists three main drivers that enable and accelerate the move towards real-time payments in the region

MBRSC CNSA MoU for joint space exploration

UAE, China sign MoU to collaborate on joint space projects

The MoU signed between Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre and the China National Space Administration marks the start of the first joint space project between China and the UAE

Bentley's focus on becoming a sustainable luxury brand by 2030

Bentley’s focus on becoming a sustainable luxury brand by 2030

Richard Leopold, Bentley’s regional director for the UK, Africa, and the Middle East, tells us about the automaker’s focus on electrification, its half-year performance and new launches

Dubai-Smart-Police-Stations

Dubai’s smart police stations serve over 2 million visitors since launch

The unmanned police stations have “smartly” processed 363,189 transactions since they were first introduced in 2017

RTA Dubai Taxis

RTA approves services and development projects for Dubai Taxi

The Smart Collection project, one of the approved initiatives, aims to deliver smart, digital and sustainable services to taxi drivers by streamlining collection procedures

Nanovo launches in Middle East with first phygital retail concept

6thStreet collaborates with Nanovo, opens region’s first phygital store

Customers can select from more than 40,000 products at the store’s self-service terminals

The current state of the Middle East’s wealth management industry

Digitalisation and new technologies also continue to emerge and sweep across many sectors, and the wealth management industry is no exception

iPhone

Apple counts on upscale shoppers to turn latest iPhone into hit

The iPhone 14 line was unveiled earlier this month alongside new Apple Watches and AirPods

copper ore

Saudi Arabia announces discovery of gold, copper ore in Madinah

Copper ore was discovered at four sites in the Al-Madiq area in the Wadi Al-Faraa region in Madinah

Dubai’s toll operator Salik boosts IPO size from 20% to 24.9%

The company’s starting market capitalisation is expected to be $4.1bn

Roger Federer announces retirement from professional tennis

The 20-time Grand Slam champion has played 1,500 matches over a 24-year career

Gaming strategy

Saudi Crown Prince unveils National Gaming and Esports Strategy

The strategy will be implemented through 86 initiatives covering the entire value chain, launched and managed by over 20 government and private entities

Digital Assets

Cover Story: Why digital assets are key for the financial sector

Digital assets can unlock opportunities with immense potential for the financial services industry, allowing fintechs to offer their clients a host of benefits

Inery

Inery acquires investment from Metavest at $128m valuation

The company aims to expand its use cases – particularly in GameFi, where it seeks to explore the full potential of gaming industry

Pure Storage

Pure Storage to demonstrate series of storage solutions at Gitex Global

The company will showcase innovations including its Evergreen//One, Pure Fusion, Portworx Data Services and FlashArray//X