Informa Markets has officially launched WHX Tech, a new exhibition showcasing digital health, technology, and innovation exhibition, following the unification of Informa’s global healthcare events portfolio under the World Health Expo (WHX) brand.

WHX unites all Informa Markets’ healthcare events worldwide, including WHX Dubai (formerly Arab Health) and WHX Labs Dubai (formerly Medlab Middle East). The step consolidates these events under one cohesive vision, amplifying their global impact, fostering stronger connections, and driving innovation across the healthcare ecosystem.

The inaugural WHX Tech event, a premier hub for digital healthcare innovation, will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from September 8 to 10, 2025. Hosted in partnership with HIMSS, the event will leverage their expertise in digital health transformation.

“The launch of WHX Tech, part of Informa’s broader WHX transformation, marks a pivotal step in aligning our global healthcare events with a shared identity. The new identity reflects our commitment to fostering seamless collaboration across borders and industries,” said Solenne Singer, vice president at Informa Markets.

“With WHX Tech, we are creating a dedicated platform to bring together the brightest minds and the latest digital health innovations, addressing critical challenges and defining the future of healthcare.”

WHX Tech’s inaugural event will gather influential digital health leaders, from chief medical officers and digital health officers to hospital directors and C-level decision-makers. Over 300 exhibitors will showcase cutting-edge technologies, making the event a hub for transformative ideas and collaborations.

“We are excited to partner with WHX Tech, a groundbreaking healthcare digital event that aligns with the HIMSS Mission to reform the global health ecosystem through the power of information and technology. By connecting stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, we are building a community where collaboration and innovation can truly thrive to improve care delivery and patient outcomes,” said Ronan O’Connor, HIMSS vice president and Managing Director of EMEA.

WHX Tech, guided by a prominent advisory board including Dr. David Rhew (Microsoft), James Mault (BioIntelliSense), and Sam Shah (NEOM), will showcase cutting-edge health technology.

The event features live demos of VR, wearables, and telemedicine, a VIP Buyers Programme, exclusive lounges, and three stages exploring topics from AI to digital health initiatives.

Industry leaders such as HIMSS, Cleveland Clinic and Frost & Sullivan will support WHX Tech by Informa Markets.

Read: Arab Health becomes WHX: A new era of global healthcare begins

Informa India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA), the world’s leading exhibition organiser and the team behind Arab Health, will launch a brand-new event focused on digital health from 8 – 10 September 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The event will be hosted in partnership with HIMSS – leveraging their expertise in delivering world-class content, professional development, and digital transformation through proven maturity models.

The digital health event will become the region’s premier digital healthcare hub, bringing together global leaders and pioneering digital technologies to fast-track innovation, transform health outcomes and revolutionise patient care worldwide.

Solenne Singer, Vice President at Informa Markets, said: “Healthcare systems worldwide face critical challenges, including information gaps, miscommunication and geographic and logistical barriers.”

This new event aims to become the world’s leading event where transformation is created. Bringing together top healthcare technology manufacturers and leading medical professionals from across the globe. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain insights from more than 500 of the most brilliant names in technology and healthcare. These speakers will share their insights on the fast-changing industry, and ensure the development of digital healthcare is accelerated at this new event.

• For further information, visit: https://www.arabhealthonline.com/digital-health/en/home.html

Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest travel hub, saw a record 92 million travellers pass through its terminals last year, the Dubai ruler said in a post on X on Thursday, January 30.

This is an increase of around 6 per cent from 2023 levels.

Earlier forecast: Dubai airport passenger numbers to exceed 90 million in 20

Dubai is the biggest tourism and trade hub in the Middle East. Last year, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved a new Dhs128bn ($34.85bn) passenger terminal at Dubai’s second airport, Al Maktoum International.

The airport will be the largest in the world, five times the size of DXB, with a capacity of up to 260 million passengers, the company said previously. All operations at Dubai Airport will be transferred to Al Maktoum in the coming years.

Arabian Company for Agricultural and Industrial Investment, also known as Entaj, intends to offer investors shares through an initial public offering (IPO) in Riyadh, it said on Thursday, the second firm in Saudi Arabia to announce flotation plans this year.

The poultry producer plans to sell 9 million shares, equal to a 30 per cent stake in the company, and list on the Saudi Exchange, it said in a statement, without providing a timeline for the listing.

Established in 2004, Entaj operates through more than 26 owned and rented broiler farms and has a production capacity of 185 million birds annually.

“This IPO aligns with our commitment to support the Kingdom’s food security agenda, and it will allow us to invest further in our infrastructure and workforce to drive sustainable growth,” vice chairman Ziyad Al-Sheikh said in the statement.

Saudi Arabia has been investing in areas including supply chain capabilities and food security under its economic transformation plan, Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy away from oil.

As part of the efforts, it is also trying to deepen capital markets and several firms involved in food production listed last year, including milling companies Arabian Mills and Fourth Milling.

The offering’s net proceeds will be distributed to the selling shareholders, Entaj said without naming them.

The firm has appointed SNB Capital as the lead manager, financial adviser, bookrunner and underwriter for the IPO.

Read: Derayah Financial plans to sell 20% stake in Riyadh IPO

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has announced it will maintain the base rate applicable to the overnight deposit facility (ODF) at 4.40 per cent, following the US Federal Reserve’s (US Fed) decision to keep its interest rate on reserve balances (IORB) unchanged.

The CBUAE also confirmed it would maintain the interest rate for borrowing short-term liquidity from the central bank, set at 50 basis points above the base rate for all standing credit facilities.

The base rate, which is closely tied to the US Fed’s IORB, serves as a key indicator of the UAE’s monetary policy stance and acts as an effective floor for overnight money market interest rates within the country.

The decision follows the US Fed’s latest move to hold rates steady, signalling a cautious approach toward further tightening amid evolving economic conditions.

US Fed remains attentive to economic risks

On January 29, the US Fed announced its decision to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 4.25 to 4.50 per cent, citing solid economic growth and stable labour market conditions, while acknowledging that inflation remains somewhat elevated.

In its latest assessment, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) noted that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace, with the unemployment rate stabilising at a low level in recent months. The committee also emphasised that labour market conditions remain strong, although inflation pressures persist.

The FOMC reiterated its commitment to achieving its dual mandate: maximum employment and a 2 per cent inflation target over the longer run. However, the Committee observed that risks to achieving these goals remain roughly balanced, and the economic outlook remains uncertain.

In making its decision, the FOMC stated that it would carefully assess incoming data, evolving economic conditions, and the balance of risks when considering future adjustments to the federal funds rate. The committee also highlighted its ongoing efforts to reduce its holdings of treasury securities and agency mortgage-backed securities as part of its strategy to manage inflation.

“The committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 per cent objective,” the statement read. “We will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information and adjust our policy stance as appropriate if risks emerge that could impede the attainment of our goals.”

The FOMC’s next steps will depend on a range of factors, including labor market conditions, inflation expectations, and broader financial and international developments.

The decision was unanimously supported by the voting members of the committee, including Jerome H Powell (chair) and John C Williams (vice chair).