International digital payments platform PayPal is making a strategic move to deepen its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Here, Suzan Kereere, president of Global Markets at PayPal, shares how the company’s new regional hub in Dubai fits into its global strategy, how it’s tapping into the region’s booming e-commerce and fintech sectors, and why building partnerships and driving financial inclusion are at the heart of PayPal’s vision for the future.

From empowering startups to supporting large enterprises in cross-border trade, Kereere outlines how PayPal plans to help shape a more connected, inclusive digital economy across the Middle East and beyond.

Why is now the right time for PayPal to expand into the Middle East, and how does the new Dubai office fit into your broader global markets strategy?

The Middle East is undergoing an extraordinary digital transformation. Governments are investing in infrastructure, fintech innovation is booming, and consumers are embracing digital experiences faster than ever before.

Our new regional hub in Dubai isn’t just symbolic, it’s strategic. It places us closer to our customers and partners, enabling us to co-create in real-time, accelerate innovation, and tailor our offerings to the region’s unique needs.

This office anchors our Global Markets strategy by extending our reach to over 80 countries from one of the world’s most dynamic crossroads.

With 1.9 billion people and a $200bn digital payments market, how is PayPal positioning itself to tap into the region’s immense potential — particularly in fast-growing sectors like e-commerce and fintech?

We see this region as a leading force in shaping the future of digital commerce. PayPal’s strength lies in its global scale combined with a diverse and adaptable suite of products.

We’re doubling down on partnerships in fintech, commerce, and financial services to ensure seamless connectivity into the global digital economy.

Whether it’s enabling a frictionless checkout for businesses or supporting gig economy workers with fast payouts, PayPal is well positioned to help drive the next wave of economic growth in the region.

Tell us more about PayPal’s approach to working with local partners and fintech innovators, including your investments in BNPL platforms and other regional startups.

Partnership is our superpower. We collaborate with banks, fintechs, telecommunications providers, and other commerce players. It’s about creating a network effect for the benefit of our shared customers. That spirit of collaboration is central to our strategy for the Middle East and Africa, and our global business at-large.

Through PayPal Ventures, we’ve invested in some of the region’s most promising fintechs including Tabby in the UAE. These investments allow us to learn from local innovators and amplify their reach using our infrastructure.

What is PayPal doing to support both large enterprises and small businesses in the region, especially those looking to grow through cross-border trade and digital transformation?

Our aim is to level the playing field. For large enterprises, we offer sophisticated global commerce capabilities, helping them scale into new markets with minimal integration effort.

For SMEs and startups, we simplify the complexities of commerce, whether it’s settling in multiple currencies, finding new customers, or leveraging the power of new technologies. Our partnership with Ignyte, for example, is about giving thousands of startups the tools to go global from day one.

In a region where financial inclusion and trust are critical, how is PayPal helping bridge the gap for underserved communities while building a secure, inclusive digital payments ecosystem?

Financial inclusion is one of the most powerful drivers of equitable growth. Through our work with partners like TerraPay, we’re enabling wallet-to-wallet transfers that can help bring millions into the digital economy, especially those outside the formal banking sector​. Our commitment is twofold: accessibility and protection.

We are building an ecosystem where every transaction, regardless of size or origin, is backed by the trust with which PayPal is synonymous. Inclusion isn’t a metric for us. It’s a mindset that shapes everything we will build in the region.

The 32nd edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) opens today at Dubai World Trade Centre, bringing together more than 2,800 exhibitors and over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

International exhibitors account for 67 per cent of the companies showcased this year, with the Middle East comprising 33 per cent, highlighting the growing global significance of the event, which runs from April 28-May 1.

Held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity,” ATM 2025 will explore how cross-border, cross-industry, and community connectivity is shaping the future of tourism.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME for Arabian Travel Market, said ATM 2025 is on track to break records in both attendance and exhibitor participation. “We have added two additional halls this year and will deliver the ATM Conference Programme across three dynamic content stages – the Global Stage, Future Stage, and Business Events Stage,” she said.

Asia has emerged as the fastest-growing region at ATM, with exhibitor participation rising by 20 per cent year-on-year, driven by enhanced regional connectivity and stronger international ties.

Asian destinations showcased this year include Japan, Macao, the Maldives, Mauritius, South Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

India’s presence at ATM 2025 has increased by 30 per cent, fuelled by strong participation from regional tourism boards such as Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, alongside airline carriers including Air India and Air India Express.

International markets account for over 52 per cent of visitor registrations, while UAE and GCC visitors contribute 48 per cent of the total.

The top five international markets for ATM 2025 are India, Egypt, the UK, Türkiye, and the US.

New features at ATM 2025

The event will also feature ATM Travel Tech’s new Start-Up and Innovation Zone, showcasing travel pioneers and an immersive VR experience.

The fourth edition of the Start-Up Pitch Battle will spotlight innovative minds from the Middle East.

A key highlight this year is the launch of IBTM@ATM, a dedicated zone connecting business event buyers with venues, hotels, convention bureaus, tourism boards, and airlines.

The Business Events Stage will host discussions on strategies to unlock growth in business events and corporate travel.

Highlights include a formal welcome by Senthil Gopinath, CEO of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), and a panel session on how global events and festivals drive socio-economic growth, featuring speakers from ICCA, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, and the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO).

ATM 2025 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre.

Strategic partners include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as Destination Partner, Emirates as Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as Official Hotel Partner, and Al Rais Travel as Official DMC Partner.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Etihad Rail, has officially opened a new 1.8 km, signal-controlled flyover on Al Yalayis Street, aimed at improving traffic flow to and from Dubai Investment Park and supporting operations of the UAE’s national railway network.

The three-lane flyover, which includes right-turn slip roads for vehicles entering Dubai Investment Park from Dubai and exiting towards Sheikh Zayed Road, is designed to optimise traffic movement and enhance road safety, the RTA said on Saturday.

The project forms part of RTA’s efforts to ensure the smooth movement of trains within the median strip of Al Yalayis Street, while maintaining uninterrupted traffic flow by fully separating vehicle and train movements at the same level.

Flyover to support Etihad rail network along vital routes

The opening of the flyover reflects the close cooperation between RTA and Etihad Rail in supporting the development of the national railway network, a key strategic infrastructure project that aims to enhance the UAE’s sustainable transport system.

The flyover is expected to further facilitate train movements along vital routes linking to and from Dubai.

Future plans include extending the flyover towards Jumeirah Golf Estates with the construction of a two-lane road in each direction, to enhance connectivity and ensure smooth traffic flow to the area.

The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) generated Dhs22.35bn ($6.08bn) in economic output in 2024, driven by a record increase in large-scale events.

Large-scale events at DWTC contributed Dhs13.04bn in gross value added (GVA) to Dubai’s GDP, with the number of major exhibitions and conferences reaching 100, a 32 per cent year-on-year increase.

More than two million people attended these events, with international visitors accounting for 46 per cent of the total, boosting sectors including travel, accommodation, and retail.

The events supported over 85,500 jobs across Dubai’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) industry and adjacent sectors.

Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the DWTC Authority, said the growth in 2024 validates DWTC’s strategic investments, including the ongoing expansion of the Dubai Exhibition Centre, with the first phase due for completion in 2026.

DWTC: Key highlights of 2024

The 2024 Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) highlighted that for every Dhs1 spent at DWTC events, Dhs7.7 of economic output was generated across Dubai.

Sales within the MICE sector reached Dhs2.9bn, while direct spending in adjacent sectors such as hotels, restaurants, retail, and transport reached Dhs13.17bn.

Business entertainment spending rose 36 per cent to Dhs1.78bn, retail trade increased 34 per cent to Dhs2.64bn, and F&B spending grew 30 per cent to Dhs2.23bn.

Hotel accommodation spending rose 15 per cent to Dhs3.41bn, and air and local transport spending increased 8 per cent to Dhs2.86bn.

International attendees spent an average of Dhs9,833 per event, nearly six times the Dhs1,673 spent by domestic attendees, according to the study.

The MENA region led international business event visitation with 32 per cent, followed by Europe at 27 per cent.

Top source markets included Saudi Arabia, India, China, Turkey, Oman, the UK, Egypt, Iran, Russia, and Germany.

The Healthcare, Medical, and Scientific, Food, Hotel and Catering, and Information Technology sectors were the largest contributors, accounting for 58 per cent of total GVA generated, with healthcare leading with 21 events and Dhs3.68bn in GVA.

“DWTC remains committed to redefining the global MICE landscape, leveraging innovation, strategic partnerships, and Dubai’s geographic positioning to drive future economic growth,” Almarri said.

Read: DWTC execs reveal ambitious plans for Dubai Exhibition Centre

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recorded sharp growth in the emirate’s vehicle rental sector in 2024, with the number of newly registered commercial vehicles rising about 43 per cent compared to the previous year, the authority said on Saturday.

The number of registered rental companies increased by around 33 per cent during the same period, with 867 new companies registered, bringing the total to 3,494, up from 2,627 in 2023.

The total rental fleet expanded to 71,040 vehicles from 49,725, according to figures from RTA’s Licensing Agency.

“The increase in the number of newly registered vehicles and companies operating in the commercial transport sector demonstrates Dubai’s competitiveness and appeal in attracting businesses to this sector,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA. “It also underscores the emirate’s commitment to accelerating economic growth and fulfilling its overarching development vision.”

High-end vehicle rentals rose by 73 per cent, while electric vehicles within the rental fleet grew by 50 per cent compared to 2023, RTA said.

Commercial vehicle market is a key sector

The sector is seen as critical to supporting Dubai’s broader economic and trade ambitions, including the goals outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda “D33”, which aims to position the city among the world’s top three economic hubs.

Mahboob said the RTA is continuing to enhance service delivery and regulatory frameworks to support the sector, including initiatives such as the Commercial Vehicle Life Extension Service, which allows vehicles that have exceeded the operational limit to be inspected and registered for an additional year.

Other initiatives include the Hourly Commercial Vehicle Rental Service, aimed at promoting safer and more efficient rentals, and the introduction of the Commercial Licensing System (CLS), which simplifies application procedures for investors and service providers.

The RTA has also extended the operational lifespan of electric vehicles from four to six years and introduced new categories for luxury and premium vehicles, with a lifespan of up to ten years.

The car rental sector remains a key pillar of Dubai’s economy, supporting both tourism and corporate business activities.

Rental operations are regulated through the TARS electronic rental system, which covers light and heavy vehicles and streamlines processes between rental companies and customers.

“The growth in activity within the vehicle rental sector further underscores RTA’s pioneering role in facilitating business operations in this domain,” Mahboob said.