Game-changers: Top 10 tech executives across MENA

As organisations across the MENA region march ahead with technology-centric transformations, we profile 10 senior executives from global technology firms with a substantial presence in the region, and who play an influential role in the regional tech industry

Wasl hospitality

Wasl to open four new hotels in Dubai

Wasl hospitality and leisure has a portfolio of 6,885 hotel rooms

Dubai’s DP World to invest £300m in London Gateway logistics hub

The company aims to increase supply chain resilience

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to visit the UK on Thursday

Sheikh Mohamed’s UK trip comes after his visit to France on Wednesday, where he met with President Emmanuel Macron

AI healthcare

Dubai Health Authority develops policy for use of AI in healthcare

It aims to determine the regulatory and ethical requirements for the use of AI in healthcare

Expo Dubai 2020

Expo 2020 Dubai: Visitors to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination or negative PCR test

On presentation of any valid Expo 2020 ticket, alongside an Expo 1-Day or Multi-Day Pass, visitors can avail a free Covid-19 PCR test at several centres across the city

UAE reports 608 new Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths

The nationwide case count stands at 730,743

Emirates Dubai Philippines

Emirates resumes scheduled services between Dubai and Philippines

The airline will also operate special “Bayanihan” passenger flights to Manila this month

Saudi’s Unifonic closes $125m Series B round to drive expansion

This funding marks SoftBank’s first direct investment in a Saudi-based company

Hatta Caravan Park

Dubai Holding to open region’s first luxury caravan park in Hatta

The fourth season of Hatta Resorts and Hatta Wadi Hub will reopen to the public from October 1 2021 – April 30, 2022

iPhone 13

Apple unveils iPhone 13 series; UAE prices revealed

Pre-orders begin on September 17 at 4pm, with units available a week later on September 24

UAE seeks $1 trillion in business with Israel over next decade

The UAE was looking at sectors including defense, energy and food security

DAFZA

UAE’s Mashreq Bank signs MoU with DAFZA to boost SME growth

DAFZA companies will also be given priority access to digital banking services through Mashreq’s NEOBiz platform, where they will be able to open instant accounts

Sheikh Mohamed to visit France on Wednesday

He will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris

Alpha Dhabi’s company lists on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange second market

Response Plus Medical Holding specialises in medical emergency transfers from remote work sites with over 260 medical facilities

Anti-viral drug Sotrovimab found effective for Covid-19 treatment in the UAE – SEHA

The UAE was one of the first countries in the world to receive a shipment of Sotrovimab in mid-June

UAE non-oil trade

UAE’s non-oil trade recorded at Dhs1.403 trillion in 2020

The UAE’s non-oil exports grew 10.1 per cent year-on-year in 2020 to Dhs254.6bn

UAE startup Beanburds uses augmented reality to transform online shopping

Beanburds is the first UAE brand to launch augmented reality to redefine the coffee retail experience

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar-ADQ consortium offers to purchase up to 90% stake in Egypt’s SODIC

The consortium is offering a purchase price of EGP20 per share, valuing the company at $453m

European Commission approves continuous export of UAE camel milk to 27 EU countries in 2021

Currently, the MOCCAE is liaising with Chinese authorities to obtain their approval for exporting UAE camel milk and its products to China

UAE reports 617 Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths

The total number of recorded cases has risen to 730,135

Dubai’s Emirates to introduce daily A380 service to Istanbul next month

The carrier is the world’s largest operator of A380s, with 118 currently in its fleet

UAE’s midday work ban ends on September 15

The ban prohibits outdoor labour work between 12.30pm and 3pm

Air Arabia

Air Arabia to launch new service from Sharjah to Uganda

The direct flights will be operated thrice weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays

Unit 2 of Barakah nuclear energy plant connects to UAE’s transmission grid

Unit 2 will add a further 1,400MW of clean electricity to the grid when at full capacity

Dubai’s Emirates launches virtual reality app in Oculus store

Customers can navigate through economy, business and first class cabins, explore their seats, as well as the onboard lounge and shower spa on the Emirates A380 using navigational hotspots

UAE Central Bank

UAE Central Bank issues new guidance on transaction monitoring and sanctions screening

The guidance came into effect on Monday, September 13, with licensed financial institutions being given a month to demonstrate compliance

Saudi Arabia Airport

Saudi updates rules for airline passengers arriving from non red-list countries

Those who are not vaccinated or have received only one dose will need to undergo institutional quarantine for five days

UAE terror list

UAE places 38 individuals, including four Emiratis, on terror list

The country also added 15 organisations to the list

SupplyMe Igor Nikolenko

The SME Story: Igor Nikolenko, co-founder and CEO of SupplyMe

SupplyMe is a B2B marketplace that connects local food suppliers with foodservice businesses