Deloitte has expanded its partnership with ServiceNow into Kuwait, reinforcing both firms’ commitment to accelerating digital transformation and enabling technology-led growth across the Middle East.

The move will see Deloitte bring ServiceNow’s digital workflow and AI-driven platform to clients in Kuwait, delivering integrated transformation programmes tailored to the needs of both public and private sector organisations.

Under the expanded partnership, Deloitte will offer a comprehensive suite of capabilities built on the ServiceNow AI Platform. This includes end-to-end advisory, design, implementation and managed services across IT, employee, customer and industry workflows. The alliance will also support sector-focused modernisation initiatives spanning government, financial services, energy and national infrastructure.

Delivery will be led by Kuwait-based teams, supported by Deloitte’s regional network and ServiceNow’s global expertise. Clients will also gain access to ServiceNow’s latest innovations, including AI-powered workflow automation and industry-specific solutions.

Tamer Charife, Deloitte Middle East technology and transformation growth leader, said: “Kuwait is entering a new phase of digital acceleration, and organizations need partners with proven expertise to deliver impact at scale. Expanding our partnership with ServiceNow strengthens our ability to help clients modernize operations, enhance services, and build institutions that are ready for the future.”

William O’Neil, area vice president, GCC, ServiceNow, said: “We are pleased to extend our partnership with Deloitte into Kuwait and are excited to see how Deloitte helps organizations drive efficiency, unlock productivity, and harness the power of AI-enabled workflows with ServiceNow.”

Rashid Bashir, partner, Technology & Transformation Leader, Deloitte Middle East, added: “This expansion reflects our commitment to supporting Kuwait’s ongoing modernization journey. By combining Deloitte’s advisory strength with the ServiceNow AI Platform, we look forward to helping organizations elevate service delivery, accelerate economic development, and improve citizen and customer experiences.”

The expansion marks a further milestone in the Deloitte–ServiceNow ecosystem across the region. By combining local expertise with global best practices, the alliance aims to help organisations embed new digital operating models, improve service resilience, enhance productivity through workflow automation and build scalable digital foundations for long-term growth.

Deloitte Middle East said it will continue investing in talent development and sector-focused innovation to support Kuwait’s digital transformation agenda.

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The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA), in collaboration with the Sharjah Finance Department, has launched the “Masar” system, a new initiative designed to streamline the electronic collection of heavy transport fees across the emirate.

The project is a major step in Sharjah’s ongoing drive toward digital transformation and smart infrastructure development, aligning local traffic management with global best practices.

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According to a WAM report, “Masar” also demonstrates effective integration among government entities to enhance service efficiency while offering innovative technological solutions that support sustainability and bolster Sharjah’s status as a regional logistics hub.

Smart technology for seamless toll collection

Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, chairman of SRTA, described “Masar” as a “qualitative leap in the institutional work system” for electronic toll collection. He said the project embodies SRTA’s commitment to comprehensive digital transformation, ensuring Sharjah remains aligned with international best practices in heavy transport regulation.

Al Othmani explained that the system uses advanced sensing and artificial intelligence technologies to deliver accurate, instantaneous readings of vehicle data. The digital solution replaces traditional manual processes, enhancing operational efficiency, reducing human intervention, and increasing reliability in toll collection.

He further emphasised that “Masar” goes beyond toll collection. “It constitutes a fundamental pillar in supporting smooth traffic flow by reducing waiting times and facilitating the passage of trucks through designated points,” Al Othmani said. “This has a direct positive impact on the emirate’s transportation sector.”

Transparency, sustainability, and smart infrastructure

Al Othmani highlighted that Masar promotes transparency and effective oversight through precise monitoring and real-time reporting, allowing authorities to make data-driven decisions. The system also supports environmental sustainability by cutting congestion and emissions.

“This initiative consolidates the authority’s leadership in developing infrastructure according to international standards,” he noted, “in line with the Sharjah government’s vision to create a smart and sustainable transportation system that enhances the quality of life.”

Digital payments and strategic partnerships

Waleed Al Sayegh, director-general of the Sharjah Finance Department, said the project reflects strong strategic partnerships between government entities. Linking the electronic truck toll gates to the Tahseel smart payment gateway’s digital wallet system ensures seamless service integration and enhances financial collection efficiency.

Al Sayegh added that using Tahseel provides flexible and secure payment options, enabling faster transactions, accurate fee collection, and greater transparency. “Masar represents a cornerstone in Sharjah’s vision to become an advanced smart city,” he said, “boosting the emirate’s competitiveness as a regional logistics hub.”

India has seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran this month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb illicit trade, a source said on Monday, confirming a post on X by Indian authorities earlier in February that had been deleted.

India aims to prevent its waters from being used for ship-to-ship transfers that obscure the origin of oil cargoes, the source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

The seizures and heightened surveillance follow an improvement in US-India relations. Washington earlier this month announced it will cut import tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent, after New Delhi agreed to stop Russian oil imports.

The three sanctioned vessels – Stellar Ruby, Asphalt Star and Al Jafzia – frequently changed their identities to evade law enforcement by coastal states, the source said, adding that their owners were based overseas.

Iranian state media cited the National Iranian Oil Company as saying that the three tankers seized by India had no connection to the company. It said that neither the cargoes nor the vessels were linked to the company.

Indian authorities had said in a post on X on February 6 that they intercepted three vessels about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai after detecting suspicious activity involving a tanker in India’s exclusive economic zone.

The post was later deleted, but the source confirmed that the vessels had been escorted to Mumbai for further investigation.

The Indian Coast Guard has since deployed about 55 ships and between 10 and 12 aircraft for round-the-clock surveillance in its maritime zones, according to the source.

The US Office of Foreign Assets Control said last year it had sanctioned three vessels, called Global Peace, Chil 1, and Glory Star 1, with IMO numbers identical to the ships lately captured by India.

Two of the three tankers are linked to Iran, with Al Jafzia having carried fuel oil from Iran to Djibouti in 2025 and Stellar Ruby flagged in Iran, according to LSEG data.

The Asphalt Star mostly operated on voyages around China, the data show.

Sanctioned oil and fuel are often sold at deep discounts due to the risks involved, with intermediaries moving cargo through complex ownership structures, false documentation and mid-sea transfers that complicate enforcement.

Read: US probes crypto platforms over suspected Iran sanctions evasion

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast relatively unstable weather conditions across the UAE from Tuesday, February 17 through February 21, marked by a gradual rise in temperatures and humid mornings in several regions.

In a statement, the centre said the country will experience humid conditions early in the day, with a chance of fog or mist formation over some internal areas. As the day progresses, conditions are expected to turn dusty, with skies becoming partly cloudy to cloudy at times, particularly over northern and eastern regions.

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There is also a chance of rainfall over the far northern areas, according to a report by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

“Tomorrow’s weather will be humid in the morning, with a chance of fog or mist formation over some internal areas,” the centre said. It added that a gradual rise in temperatures is expected during this period.

Wind speeds to reach 40 km/hr

Winds are forecast to shift from northwesterly to northeasterly and southeasterly directions. They will be light to moderate in speed but may freshen at times, particularly over the sea. Wind speeds are expected to range between 10 and 20 km/hr, reaching up to 40 km/hr in some areas.

Sea conditions will be rough in the morning before becoming moderate to slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Midweek conditions to remain humid

On Wednesday, similar humid conditions are expected in the morning, especially across coastal and western internal areas, with a continued possibility of fog or mist. Skies will turn fair to partly cloudy during the day.

Winds will be southeasterly to northeasterly, light to moderate, freshening at times, with speeds ranging from 10 to 25 km/hr and gusts reaching 35 km/hr. Sea conditions will be slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Thursday’s forecast mirrors midweek trends, with morning humidity and possible mist over western internal areas. Conditions will remain fair to partly cloudy for the rest of the day. Wind speeds will range from 10 to 20 km/hr, with gusts of up to 35 km/hr. The sea will remain slight.

Weekend outlook

By Friday, humid conditions will continue in the morning, with a chance of fog over coastal and western internal regions. Daytime weather will remain fair to partly cloudy, with winds between 10 and 20 km/hr, reaching up to 30 km/hr.

On Saturday, similar conditions are forecast. Winds will shift from northeasterly to northwesterly, ranging from 10 to 25 km/hr, with gusts up to 35 km/hr. Sea conditions will remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

The UAE has officially launched the pilot phase of the “One-Point Air Travelers” Project with the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking a significant step toward seamless regional mobility.

Announced on Monday, February 16, the initiative is designed to facilitate travel for citizens of both countries by reducing waiting times and streamlining procedures at participating airports.

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The project is also expected to enhance tourism and trade flows, support economic growth, strengthen security stability, and advance infrastructure integration between the two nations, according to a WAM report.

In the UAE, the project is being implemented by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security. In Bahrain, it is overseen by the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other relevant entities. The pilot phase currently covers Zayed International Airport and Bahrain International Airport.

How the system works

The “One-Point Air Travelers” Project enables pre-departure clearance for Emirati and Bahraini citizens flying between the two countries. Through advanced electronic connectivity, biometric verification systems, surveillance technologies, e-gates, and sophisticated passenger data processing, travelers’ movements are verified and documented before they arrive at their final destination.

This allows passengers to complete entry procedures at their departure airport, significantly reducing congestion and accelerating arrival processes. Officials say the system will provide a smoother, more secure, and more comfortable travel experience while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

Strengthening regional integration

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, director-general of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, described the initiative as a landmark move for the region.

“The ‘One-Point Air Travelers’ Project represents an innovative initiative reflecting the commitment of GCC countries to facilitating passenger journeys and providing a safe and convenient travel experience,” he said.

Al Khaili emphasised the authority’s commitment to expanding cooperation at local, regional, and international levels through electronic connectivity and advanced data exchange systems. He noted that such efforts enhance customer journeys while improving overall quality of life.

He added that the project is expected to increase tourism and bilateral trade between the UAE and Bahrain, as well as across the GCC more broadly. By transforming both airports into key departure hubs, the initiative aims to stimulate travel, tourism, and broader economic activity. It also reinforces customs and security integration, boosts regional competitiveness, and positions both airports as preferred transit gateways.

A model for smart mobility

Mohammed Ahmed Al Kuwaiti, acting director-general of Ports at the Authority, said the One-Stop Travel Project reflects the high level of strategic integration between the two nations.

“It embodies a shared vision to facilitate mobility, enhance the travel experience for citizens, and improve quality of life through smart solutions driven by digital transformation and governmental integration,” he said.

Al Kuwaiti stressed that electronic connectivity and the advance exchange of integrated data ensure accuracy, security, and procedural efficiency while safeguarding privacy and data protection.

He described the initiative as a “qualitative step toward the future of smart mobility within the GCC” and a scalable model for broader regional implementation.