Dubai: GMG, a global well-being company operating leading brands across sport, everyday goods, health and beauty, properties, and logistics sectors, marked another milestone in its retail expansion strategy by opening Dubai’s first monop convenient store at Jumeirah Town Centre. The monop convenience store caters to Jumeirah residents with a uniquely fresh and daily essential shopping concept, building on GMG’s promise of community food retail expansion. The Jumeirah shop is the 26th store in the Groupe Casino portfolio and the 47th store among all retail food brands under the GMG Everyday Goods division. It is located on the mall’s ground floor, centrally located in the popular Jumeirah neighbourhood. The store will offer a fresh and diverse selection of fresh produce and an extensive range of private label products by MONOPRIX and MAISON delivering the brand promise of “The Art of Food”. Committed to creating an impact towards sustainable and local product sourcing, monop will offer consumers the options of local fresh produce and vertically grown greens.Mohammad A. Baker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of GMG, said, “At GMG, we are constantly evolving to exceed our consumers’ expectations and looking at ways to innovate and support locally sourced products. monop will feature an indoor vertical farm, brought to you through our partnership with Bustanica, as well as, state–of–the–art fresh food and private label range under the monop concept in Dubai. We will continue exploring opportunities to expand to more neighbourhoods in Dubai and beyond and introduce more UAE residents to the GMG way.” GMG acquired Groupe Casino operations in the UAE in 2022, with exclusive rights to expand the group’s operations in the Middle East. The acquisition included 18 Géant hypermarket and supermarket locations across the UAE, as well as Groupe Casino’s other brands, such as Franprix and Monoprix as well as monop, to which GMG also has exclusive rights to expand. The UAE edition of the French concept incorporates the best practices of the brand’s promise of quality food under the umbrella of “The Art of Living,” created and developed by the Monoprix mother brand.GMG’s constantly evolving retail strategy comes amid a rapid expansion of the UAE’s consumer retail market. The segment is anticipated to grow at nearly 6% in the next five years and touch US$37.70 billion by 2027 because of the rising per capita income, a booming tourism sector, a growing number of expatriates, and new commercial projects, including malls.  Measuring 450sqm, the monop store features an extensive range of high-quality products such as coffee, specialized imported cheese cuts from around the world, ready hot and cold meals, including a full range of signature Emirates Flight Catering meals, and an array of options in deli and bakery. The store also has the much-loved MONOPRIX brands and other grocery essentials, in addition to spices, nuts, and a variety of MAISON nonfood products.Marc Laurent, President, Retail - Everyday Goods commented: “monop is truly unique, a true representation of modern life convenience store, making quality food accessible for everyone. In line with our sustainability efforts to make a change, we are partnering with RECAPP by Veolia to facilitate a more sustainable way of living, by allowing consumers to recycle at our branch through in-store recycling stations for plastic, batteries and cans. In the coming months, we will expand our partnership across more of our retail stores, including Geant and aswaaq branches.”To date, GMG has introduced over 120 brands and announced plans to double its global workforce by 2025. Currently, GMG employs over 10,000 people across all its verticals in 12 countries.Furthermore, after the Aswaaq acquisition in February this year, GMG also added 11 community malls and 22 supermarkets to GMG’s rapidly expanding retail network, positioning the group as one of the largest operators of community malls in the UAE.

TECOM Group PJSC celebrated ten years of enabling Dubai’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through its start-up incubator, in5, by launching in5 Science. Announced in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, the Group’s science-focused ecosystem, the incubator will facilitate entrepreneurship and investment for science-based start-ups under the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’ umbrella.The UAE’s emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, has unveiled significant opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science sectors. in5 Science’s launch is aligned with these government strategies and supports the UAE’s recognition of 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’. It is also in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, which promotes foreign direct investment and economic diversification, and raises Dubai’s attractiveness for homegrown and international founders to explore opportunities across health, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and energy.in5 operates three centres enabling businesses and innovation in Tech in Dubai Internet City, Media in Dubai Production City, and Design in Dubai Design District (d3). The science vertical will expand its offerings to provide start-ups with sector-specific support and facilitate access to investment for founders to set up and scale new businesses. in5 has curated an expert-led advisory board representing industry-leading C-Suite figures from Nexus Resilience Group, Dii Desert Energy, and GMEX Group.On behalf of in5, Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Media City, part of TECOM Group said: “Entrepreneurship powers economic growth. Dubai’s pro-business framework has made it a preferred choice for businesses big and small, established and new. As a leading business enabler in Dubai, TECOM Group has strived to enrich the support and opportunities available to entrepreneurs through in5. Ten years on, we’re proud to see our incubator’s impact on promoting Dubai’s start-up ecosystem and economic diversification efforts across media, tech, and design. The new science vertical will expand our offerings to meet the needs of emerging economic opportunities in the science sector while securing Dubai’s reputation as a global business hub.”Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Science Park, part of TECOM Group said: “Science is a fast-growing field in Dubai, underpinned by government strategies across sustainability, healthcare, and R&D. Dubai Science Park plays a pivotal role in nurturing an ecosystem that promotes these economic roadmaps by empowering leading and international science-focused businesses to set up and expand operations. in5 Science will enable entrepreneurs to engage a world-class community of researchers and industry leaders and inject innovation and competitiveness to take the UAE’s science ambitions to the next level.”in5 Science will also present a curated calendar of networking events, panel discussions and educational forums to cover pertinent topics by thought leaders in the science industry. Collaborating with Dubai Science Park allows in5 to tap into a global ecosystem of MNEs and regional SMEs across pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy and environment, research, and development for partnership opportunities, and access to specialised facilities.A growing science hub in MENARising government investments, a multifaceted economic diversification plan, and the growing regional demand for specialised healthcare and sustainable consumerism have directed focus to the UAE on science and technology. The UAE’s comprehensive healthcare system, strengthened by private sector investments, has secured Dubai’s status as the region’s number one and the world’s number six medical tourism destination, according to the latest Medical Tourism Index.Similarly, a global call for sustainability reflects national agendas for advanced manufacturing, economic growth, and food security. For example, Operation 300bn and Make it in the Emirates, geared at promoting localised manufacturing, emphasise innovation in advanced technology to enable sustainable practices and competitiveness.In the past decade, in5 has seen a marked growth in science-focused tech start-ups. A dedicated science vertical aims to streamline and customise the supportive ecosystem for new businesses while connecting founders to a global community and purpose-built infrastructure at Dubai Science Park.in5 already supports several ambitious science-led start-ups, including:We4Recycle: A mobile app-based door-to-door valet trash service that simplifies waste segregation at home and strives to increase the awareness of sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyles.Greener Crop: A start-up enabling vertical farming in the Middle East and Africa by offering a range of services, from farm set-up and maintenance to growth management, harvesting, and produce sales. The start-up has customers across the US, UAE, Oman and Qatar.Air to MC2: A deep-tech start-up that aims to revolutionise cooling and heating by creating affordable, patented tech products for air conditioning, water and energy industries and consumers.Sentient Labs: The start-up employs advanced technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to promote sea clean-up.RelphaCare Technologies: A social healthcare tracking platform that enables real-time communication and monitoring by doctors and family.A decade of entrepreneurial growthin5 provides start-ups in technology, media, and design a platform to scale up, and access to advisory, mentorship, and potential investment opportunities. Since its inception in 2013, in5 has supported over 750 start-ups and entrepreneurs, and attracted founders representing more than 50 nationalities, including India, Russia, France, the UK and more. Breakout stars include buy-now-pay-later platform Tabby; Munch:On, a food operations service acquired by Careem in 2022; and regional music streaming giant Anghami.in5 is a start-up incubator part of TECOM Group’s portfolio, which also offers value-added platforms such as co-working spaces (D/Quarters), freelance packages (GoFreelance), and an integrated smart services platform (axs).TECOM Group’s portfolio also comprises 10 business districts, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Design District (d3) and Dubai Industrial City.

Since the introduction of the Emirates app on HUAWEI AppGallery in early 2020, Emirates, a prominent player in the aviation sector, and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS), cutting-edge technology services, have joined forces to enhance travel experiences for HMS users. This collaboration has evolved and flourished, enabling them to provide outstanding user experiences to a wider global audience.HUAWEI AppGallery, one of the top three app marketplaces worldwide, boasts an impressive user base of over 550 million monthly active users in 170 countries. The Emirates app's availability on this platform has brought unparalleled convenience to HMS users, empowering them to manage their travel plans seamlessly. Previously integrated on the HUAWEI Watch 3 Series, the Emirates app offered a Super Device Smart experience, enabling Huawei users to effortlessly check their bookings and flight details directly from their smartwatches.Now, with its seamless integration on the HUAWEI Watch 4, the Emirates app has reached new heights in enhancing the performance and user experience for travelers. In addition to providing easy access to booking and flight details, the app now enables users to utilize a QR code as their boarding pass. This innovative feature eliminates the need for passengers to use their phones while boarding, streamlining the travel process and ensuring a hassle-free experience.William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, said: “This integration of Emirates app on the HUAWEI Watch 4 represents another milestone in HMS journey to deliver exceptional travel experiences to our users, who can now effortlessly access vital flight information, manage their bookings, and stay connected on the go, all from their wrist. We are excited to bring this convenience and innovation to our users, further enhancing their travel experiences and demonstrating our commitment to providing unparalleled solutions in the digital age.""Our collaboration with Huawei Mobile Services and integration with HUAWEI WATCH 4 Series showcases our shared commitment to delivering exceptional user experiences and simplifying travel processes for consumers," said Boutros Boutros, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand at Emirates. "We are dedicated to leveraging cutting-edge technology to provide the best possible services to our passengers. By integrating our app seamlessly on Huawei's latest smartwatch, we aim to exceed the expectations of our tech-savvy customers."   In the age of the Internet of Things (IoT), Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) believes that collaboration with partners and developers will thrive within HMS’ ecosystem, resulting in continuous innovation and improved convenience for users. This strategic partnership between Huawei and Emirates exemplifies this belief, as they continue to push boundaries and unlock new possibilities for the travel industry.

Dubai: As part of its continuous efforts to boost the entrepreneurship ecosystem, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) announces its partnership with Bahrain-based Hope Ventures to expand Hope’s entrepreneurship-themed reality television show ‘Beban’ to the United Arab Emirates in its highly anticipated third season.This follows the show’s established expansion to the UAE for season two and its success in facilitating investment and strategic opportunities for UAE-based businesses. Having aired for two seasons, Beban featured a total of 62 businesses of various sizes and resulted in successful co-investments by the private and public sectors exceeding USD 6 million in GCC-based startups.Beban is centered around entrepreneurs and business owners as they pitch their businesses before a panel of regional investors for equity investment and business opportunities. The show's expansion aligns with KFED’s mission of creating opportunities to boost the UAE’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting SMEs by offering financing and service options, as Beban will contribute to the ease of access of UAE-based businesses to a diversified pool of investors and strategic partners who will fast-track their business’ growth into regional and international markets.Furthermore, Beban entrepreneurs will also benefit from the intensive training bootcamp they will undergo as part of the Beban journey to develop their businesses in various aspects like expansion planning, financial modeling, and pitching in front of a panel of regional investors on a televised show.Commenting on the partnership, Her Excellency Alia Al Mazrouei, CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, shared: “Through our partnership with Bahrain's Hope Ventures, Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development is excited to bring the entrepreneurial spirit of Beban to the UAE in its highly anticipated third season. By expanding Beban, we are creating valuable opportunities for UAE-based businesses to access a diverse pool of investors and strategic partners, accelerating their growth in regional and international markets. With intensive training bootcamps and exposure on a televised platform, Beban will empower entrepreneurs, foster cross-border knowledge exchange, and fuel the UAE's entrepreneurial ecosystem. We look forward to seeing all of the applicants for Beban season 3 and seeing them seize the benefits of this remarkable journey towards success."On his part, His Excellency Aymen bin Tawfiq Almoayed, Chairman of Hope Fund, said: “Beban was established as a regional investment platform that connects regional entrepreneurs and investors of diverse sectors and facilitates equity investment and strategic business development opportunities that would have been rather challenging for these entrepreneurs to access.”He further added: "This partnership with the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development will provide UAE-based entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they require to develop their businesses while giving them added regional exposure through the show, all while promoting cross-border knowledge exchange between entrepreneurs of the region. We encourage and invite entrepreneurs based in UAE to apply for Beban season 3 and reap the show’s benefits.”It is noteworthy to mention that entrepreneurs will be selected through an evaluation process comprising five stages, starting with screening businesses for viability based on certain criteria, followed by an evaluation stage led by experts and specialists in the business sector. Candidates will then be nominated to participate in an intensive training bootcamp stage. The final stage will announce the eligible finalists, who will then go on to film the production’s episodes. Beban invites UAE-based entrepreneurs to apply for season 3 online through the hopefund.bh/beban by July 6th.

Dubai: On the first day of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Impact BBDO Dubai emerged as the victor, securing the region's fourth Grand Prix. The announcement was made during the festival's inaugural live Awards Show of the week.The prestigious Grand Prix was bestowed upon Impact BBDO in recognition of their exceptional work in the Print & Publishing category. Their entry, titled "Newspapers Inside a Newspaper" for Annahar Newspaper, garnered this accolade. This marks the second consecutive year that Impact BBDO has claimed the Grand Prix in the print & publishing category. In the previous year, they won for their submission "The Elections Edition," also for Annahar Newspaper.This triumph not only adds to Impact BBDO's Grand Prix count but also signifies their third overall victory in this category. They achieved their first, which was a historic first for the region, in 2019.The "Newspapers Inside a Newspaper" campaign serves as a testament to the preservation of free speech in Lebanon and addresses the crisis that impacted the publishing industry. It ingeniously revitalizes publications that were shuttered due to political failures and pressures by incorporating them into the newspaper's daily edition.The Print & Publishing Jury expressed their admiration for the winning entry, stating, The Grand Prix was awarded to a brave piece of work that put into action a publication-based idea to defend the sanctity of a free press,”They further expressed their hope that this campaign would inspire the industry by showcasing the everlasting innovation potential within the realm of publications.In total, the Print & Publishing Lions category received 814 entries, resulting in the allocation of 26 Lions: 4 Gold, 7 Silver, and 14 Bronze.Leading the jury for this category was Ali Rez, the Chief Creative Officer of Impact BBDO, who also holds the distinction of being the MENA region's first Jury President.Additionally, the first Awards Show also revealed the winners of the Pharma Lions, Health & Wellness Lions, Outdoor Lions, and Radio & Audio Lions.In the Outdoor category, FP7 McCann Dubai was honored with a Silver and Bronze Lion for their work on 'The Heinzjack'. The agency also secured another Bronze Lion for their project 'Frequencies of Peace' for Babyshop in the Radio category.VMLY&R Dubai, in collaboration with their US-based counterpart VMLY&R Commerce, achieved a Silver Lion in the Radio category for their creation 'I See Coke' for Coca-Cola.Under the Health & Wellness category, two agencies, And Us and Saatchi & Saatchi, were recognized with a Silver and Bronze Lion respectively. The Silver Lion was awarded to 'Sole Music' for Sole Music, while the Bronze Lion was presented to 'Empty Plates' for the UAE Government Media Office.LIONS CEO Simon Cook said: “We’re delighted to honour our first Lion winners who are raising the creative bar on the global stage. Thank you to all of our exceptional Jurors who have given their time, dedication and expertise to define the creative benchmark for the Festival’s 70th edition.”

Dubai: GCG (Gulf Commercial Group) Enterprise Solutions, a leading enabler of cutting-edge technology and digital transformation solutions recently announced the launch of “G-Sign” – The first-of-its-kind digital signature solution approved by the UAE Government.The launch follows-up on GCG Enterprise Solutions’ lengthy track-record of success in enabling its clients to simplify, streamline and optimize their enterprise management needs. The Company extends unmatched support by hosting one of the most comprehensive portfolios of leading global technology partners in the region.Rapid changes shaping today’s business world have given rise to an increased need for faster approval systems. Digital signatures authenticate digital documents, along with the signer’s identity and are increasingly being adopted for the increased safety, speed, and security which they deliver. With G-Sign, multiple corporate team members can sign documentation at any time, from anywhere. Extending easy integration with UAE Pass, G-Sign serves as a secure solution for regional enterprises.Elaborating on the development, Naser Darwazeh, General Manager at GCG Enterprise Solutions stated: “GCG Enterprise Solutions has always served to promote innovation, and those who are quick to harness technological advancements stand a better chance at winning the commercial race. G-Sign is the result of the fantastic vision of our pre-sales team, our hard-work, bondless ambition, and our valued collaboration with the UAE authorities”.The Solution is currently being offered through an Annual Subscription model, with the GCG Enterprise Solutions team extending standardized and development support.

Qatar has been named as one of the region’s top ‘technology hotspots’ in the ‘MENA Tech 2023: Mapping the Technology Landscape’ report released by Doha-headquartered strategic communications agency BLJ Worldwide.  This is the its first umbrella study into the current state of the technology industry across Arabic countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.The report shares the top five with the UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Bahrain. Boasting one of the most connected populations on the planet (99% of residents have access to the internet) and Vodafone Qatar, the world’s fastest mobile network, In particular, Qatar has been recognised for its world-leading approach to fintech and cutting-edge research and development facilities, such as Qatar Science & Technology Park. The report features expertise and commentary from a range of spokespeople within the Qatari tech scene. Notable mentions include Nayef Al-Ibrahim, CEO of Ibtechar, founder of fintech startup CWallet Michael Javier, Investment Director of Qatar Science & Technology Park Dr. Danny Ramadan, and leading local esports player Ahmad Al Meghessib.The 50-plus page report, which examines eighteen countries, was commissioned to explore the strength of exciting recent technological advancements in many MENA markets and has been compiled through a combination of desk research, sentiment analysis and expert opinion.Justin Kerr-Stevens, CEO, BLJ Worldwide, commented: “MENA’s tech industry has come a long way in the last decade driven by significant investment and global moments like the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and Expo 2020. With visits from the founder of Chat GPT, and sovereign wealth fund investments in Twitter and other tech unicorns, our report paints a picture of a diverse and rapidly evolving region. Once a relatively disparate collection of markets that largely followed the lead of economies such as the US and China, today MENA is a region that is recognised not only for its potential investment in tech but as a market that has its own distinct technological identity.”Michael Javier, CEO, CWallet commented: “The MENA region is bursting at the seams with tech talent, funding and resources. The time is now to assert ourselves on the global stage as a technological force in our own right.”Photo credits: pixabay

Doha:  Ooredoo and Dell Technologies have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen existing collaboration, simplify digital transformation initiatives and explore new growth opportunities through Dell’s APEX multicloud portfolio.The memorandum was signed by Adrian McDonald, EMEA President, Dell Technologies and Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani, CEO, Ooredoo Qatar, during the annual Dell Technologies World 2023.Through the agreement, Ooredoo will explore the Dell APEX offerings to simplify its cloud experiences and gain more control over its applications and data. Dell APEX will allow Qatar’s leading communications service provider to seamlessly manage and orchestrate its workloads while optimizing performance, minimizing risk and ensuring high network availability.Ooredoo will be able to eliminate unnecessary complexity and inefficiency, thereby freeing up its teams to focus on innovation. The collaboration complements Ooredoo’s current IT environment and builds on the existing technology centered around Dell’s infrastructure, storage and cyber recovery services.

Dubai: Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has extended its long-standing partnership with BBC Studios. Under the new agreement, Emirates passengers will enjoy an enhanced offering of BBC-branded content through ICE, the airline's inflight entertainment system. This includes a substantial addition of over 250 hours of new dramas, documentaries, factual entertainment, natural history productions, and pre-school programming.To access all BBC Studios content, passengers can navigate to the dedicated BBC-branded area within ICE. This specially designated space provides a platform for passengers to indulge in popular and highly acclaimed scripted series, such as timeless classics like Blackadder, Sally Wainwright's police drama Happy Valley, and Diplomat, a gripping crime series produced by the team behind Bodyguard and Line of Duty.Additionally, a new section called BBC Earth has been introduced, featuring captivating natural history productions, including Frozen Planet II and Blue Planet II, both narrated by the esteemed Sir David Attenborough. The upcoming release of Planet Earth III is also eagerly anticipated within this dedicated section.CBeebies, the BBC's brand for preschool children, will continue to entertain young travelers on Emirates flights. Moreover, the CBeebies section now includes presenter links, offering engaging ideas and games for children and their caregivers to enjoy during intervals between series episodes. Popular global hits like Bluey, Hey Duggee, and Go Jetters are also part of the CBeebies collection.“Emirates have been a key licensee of BBC Studios content for many years, and we are very proud that our cooperation continues to grow and benefit our global audiences. This renewal gives Emirates passengers access to more hours of BBC content than ever before, and the new interface features introduced from May will help them navigate easily to their favourite shows onboard,” said ,” Zina Neophytou, VP Out of Home at BBC Studios.Furthermore, Emirates passengers will have continued access to the BBC News channel, enabling them to stay informed with linear news updates while onboard.The agreement between BBC Studios and Emirates was successfully negotiated by Neophytou and Peter Williams, who serves as the Account Manager, Out of Home, at BBC Studios.

Riyadh: Seera Group Holding’s car rental and leasing unit, Lumi Rental Company (“Lumi” or the “Company”), today announced the launch of its second used car sales showroom, further expanding its used car sales footprint in the Kingdom to meet strong growth in demand. Located in Jeddah’s Al Jawhara district, the Company’s latest showroom covers 2,960 square metres with capacity to showcase 120 pre-owned vehicles.Lumi, a national champion and fast-growing market leader in the car rental, leasing and used car sales segments, with a unique full-service business model and a fleet of over 24,000 vehicles, inaugurated its first used car showroom in Riyadh in late 2022. Launched in response to very healthy retail customer demand for used vehicles, the Riyadh and Jeddah showrooms are set to drive the Company’s strategy to maximise purchase price recovery through the sale of vehicles released from its rental and lease segments after 2-4 years of operations. In addition, Lumi’s corporate and business buyers can purchase individual or multiple pre-owned vehicles through a digitised bidding process. The strategy ensures that Lumi is in a position to operate a young rental and leasing fleet, providing its customers with access to the latest and newest vehicles.Mr. Syed Azfar Shakeel, CEO of Lumi, said:“We recognized early on that our used car sales business would play an increasingly significant role in our ambitious growth strategy and our plans to cement Lumi’s position as one of the fastest growing car leasing and rental operators in the Kingdom. The launch of our Jeddah showroom expands our geographic footprint across the country, enabling Lumi to capture further value and market share in this buoyant segment, valued in 2021 at SAR 39 billion with significant upside potential.[1]“Looking ahead, we remain committed to growing our used car sales offering, which is performing strongly on the back of the major development programs of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s post-pandemic recovery. To fully tap into growing demand, we are planning to launch a third used car showroom in Dammam, providing even greater accessibility to our customers through an expanded on-the-ground presence and our diverse and integrated digital platforms.”As part of its ongoing commitment to transparency and ensuring a seamless customer experience, Lumi’s Jeddah facility will provide visitors with a 20-point computerized vehicle inspection report, which covers all major mechanical systems and safety functions, such as mileage, model year, engine, cooling and fuel system, drive axle, transmission, electronic systems, suspension, brake system, steering and air conditioning.Customers will be able to purchase vehicles from Lumi’s diverse fleet of hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, people carriers and pickup trucks. The Company aims to sell vehicles within 2-4 years of age, replacing them with new vehicles for rental and leasing customers. Lumi’s used car business segment sold over 3,600 vehicles in 2022

Riyadh: In a milestone step, the Halal Products Development Company (HPDC) announced a strategic partnership with Tanmiah Food Company, one of the leading Saudi companies in the food manufacturing sector. A PIF company, HPDC’s landmark partnership is a forward-thinking measure to strengthen and localize the halal products industry in the Kingdom whilst supporting its development within the region as well as globally.The strategic partnership seeks to activate HPDC’s consultancy services to provide value across a variety of fields, helping exporters and investors receive halal certification, halal standard qualification domestically and abroad and tailored support within the halal marketplace, amongst other key solutions.With the presence of His Excellency Mr. Amr Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tanmiah Food Company, the partnership agreement was signed by Mr. Fahad Al-Nuhait, Chief Executive Officer of HPDC and Mr. Ahmad Osilan, Executive Board Member and Managing Director of Tanmiah Food Company. Mr. Al-Nuhait explained that the partnership is an extension of the company's endeavors to develop the Saudi halal products ecosystem by connecting it to high-demand markets, which will be strengthened by multilateral cooperation with stakeholders in the private and public sectors.Mr. Al-Nuhait went on to note that HPDC is a dynamic support arm and national resource that provides Saudi companies with services, expertise and solutions that help them take advantage of the opportunities in the halal product market both locally and globally.Mr. Osilan emphasized the importance of HPDC’s partnership and expressed his aspiration for Tanmiah to benefit from the company’s consulting services, recognizing its role as a major enabler of the Saudi halal ecosystem’s competitiveness within the region and worldwide. He stated that the step contributes to Tanmiah’s operational goals and is also aligned with HPDC’s objective to support the Kingdom’s food security efforts under Saudi Vision 2030.Utilize best-in-service advisory and technical solutions, the monumental partnership is an extension of HPDC’s aim to cement the Kingdom's position as a leading hub within the Halal products sector worldwide.

Dubai: Global business transformation agency Valtech is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Cukrowski as its new Regional Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With this strategic move, Valtech aims to leverage Adam’s extensive regional and industry experience to propel its growth and solidify its position as the leading business transformation agency in MENA.Adam brings two decades of experience accelerating digital maturity for major companies, including Emirates, Du, Abu Dhabi Airport, King Abdullah Financial District, ROSHN, Riyad Bank, and Ooredoo.As the new Regional Managing Director, Adam will focus on driving innovation, fostering strategic partnerships, and ensuring Valtech MENA remains at the forefront of digital excellence. Under his leadership, the agency will continue to provide end-to-end digital solutions, leverage emerging technologies, and deliver creative thinking that enables clients to achieve their business transformation goals. His wealth of knowledge, digital expertise, and deep understanding of the unique business transformation challenges and opportunities in MENA will help lead Valtech MENA into the next phase of its evolution."Valtech's commitment to innovation, collaboration, and delivering transformative digital experiences aligns perfectly with my own professional values," says Adam Cukrowski, Regional Managing Director at Valtech MENA. “I am excited to lead the talented team at Valtech MENA and continue to drive growth and success for our clients.”"With Adam's strategic vision and leadership acumen, he will play a pivotal role in shaping our regional strategy, enabling Valtech MENA to provide disruptive transformative solutions that drive measurable business outcomes and lead to our clients business exponential growth," said Patrick de Moustier, Executive Vice President of Valtech APMENA. “His appointment marks an exciting and instrumental chapter in Valtech MENA's growth story.”

Dubai: Today, Lenovo announced it has reached record annual AI infrastructure revenue of over US$2 billion and unveiled the next phase of its growth strategy, with an additional US$1 billion investment over three years to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) deployment for businesses around the world. Fueled by increased global digitalization and demand for IT infrastructure upgrades, Lenovo is simplifying the often-complex implementation of new AI capabilities by delivering AI to the source of data and harnessing its vast network of best-in-class partners to build next-generation turnkey solutions that enable computing intelligence directly at the edge. The investment will further expand the company’s industry-leading AI-ready portfolio of smart devices, infrastructure solutions and services to help accelerate innovation, enabling the use of generative AI and delivering cognitive decisions at scale throughout remote locations across financial, manufacturing, healthcare, retail and smart city applications.As part of the additional investment, Lenovo is committing US$100 million to grow the Lenovo AI Innovators program, which has delivered a record 150+ cutting edge AI solutions created with 45 leading ISV partners in the program’s first year. Leveraging the AI Innovators end-to-end ecosystem, the new solutions are bringing AI from the lab to scale and enabling the dramatic technology shifts underway within high-growth sectors. With the new solutions, customers can more rapidly deploy and leverage cutting-edge AI capabilities, like generative AI, computer vision, voice AI and virtual assistants.“Building on our more than 150 AI solutions, this pivotal investment further expands the development of AI-ready infrastructure solutions that will help customers overcome deployment complexities and more easily implement AI to deliver transformative services and products to the market,” said Kirk Skaugen, President of Lenovo Infrastructure Solutions Group. “As we continue our path to become the world’s largest end-to-end infrastructure solutions provider, Lenovo is committed to being the most trusted partner and empowering our customers’ intelligent transformation by bringing AI to the source of their data, at the edge.”Enabling AI Discovery and Accelerating AdoptionAI is driving a new wave of opportunities for businesses, but many companies face implementation challenges due to resource limitations and infrastructure complexities, stalling its rollout. The Lenovo AI Innovators program includes an ecosystem of best-in-class software partners collaborating with Lenovo to provide customers with tailored, proven and ready-to-deploy AI solutions for their end-to-end operations, including computer vision, audio recognition, prediction, security, and virtual assistants for every industry.Lenovo is helping customers harness the value of their data, deploying purpose-built, AI solutions to transform their business with more predictable outcomes. These include NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform to deliver the fastest time to solution across customer industry verticals at the lowest total cost of ownership. As the retail, food service and hospitality industries adapt to the post-pandemic era, businesses are reimagining front-end and back-end operations to enable improved customer service, mitigate waste and address shifts in the labor market. Lenovo is partnering with DeepBrain AI to offer an end-to-end solution for generative AI virtual assistants that can be paired with powerful large language models (LLMs) to deliver 24/7 automated concierge service in hospitality and retail settings. With Lenovo and Vistry, quick service restaurants around the globe use computer vision to automate cook times and help predict supply quantities to prevent food waste, ensuring quality standards while helping improve customer retention and profitability.As manufacturing operations around the globe seek digitalization to drive future growth and differentiation amidst economic disruptions, innovative AI solutions from Lenovo and Guise help industrial customers reduce unplanned downtime with up to 14 days of advanced prediction, as well as understand customer behavior and optimize processes with computer vision, predictive maintenance, and anomaly detection on the production line.Lenovo is also delivering its AI solutions via TruScale Infrastructure as a Service for ultimate flexibility as the company continues its service-led transformation. AI Innovators partner, Al Hathboor Bikal.ai and Lenovo are pioneering the service-based rollout of an AI-enabled data center at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Leveraging Lenovo TruScale HPC and AI as a service, the collaboration is providing public and private organizations with the ability to access AI capabilities to support citizen safety and security through digital transformation projects across education, R&D, retail, oil & gas sectors. The AI-enabled data center’s computing resources will also help organizations bring the benefits of advanced AI features, like GPT-3 to their own operations. Designed to align with the UAE Net Zero 2050 policy, the data center is the first in the region to use industry-leading Lenovo Neptune™ direct water-cooling to deliver enhanced performance and efficiency while lowering power consumption.“Al Hathboor sees this collaboration as a way to give the UAE a technological advantage to the innovation ecosystem, create jobs and opportunities for our youth and develop tech for solving regional and global challenges. Lenovo, NVIDIA AI and Intel with SRTIP gives us a joint capability in tech transfer and we look forward to working with our universities, businesses, and government,” said Mohammed Al Hathboor, Management Committee Member of Al Hathboor Bikal.ai.The new Lenovo AI Discover Center of Excellence provides access to Lenovo data scientists, AI architects and engineers to help explore, deploy and scale AI solutions. The service also guides customers to the most appropriate software partners, AI-optimized infrastructure and responsible AI guidance through the Lenovo Responsible AI Committee. As companies learn to deploy AI, the committee helps customers with their approach to designing, deploying, and using AI ethically, helping organizations understand and address privacy, fair usage, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility considerations.Bringing AI to Your DataAs the amount of worldwide data grows exponentially, next-generation infrastructure technologies that deliver data center-like computing to the edge are critical to empowering AI for improved emergency response, public safety, accessibility, tourism and retail experiences. With more enterprise data being processed outside of the data center, Lenovo is committed to supporting AI workloads everywhere, ensuring purpose-built performance for remote settings.Today, Lenovo extends its comprehensive portfolio of AI-ready infrastructure to over 70 products, with new AI-optimized edge-to-cloud server platforms that help address any AI workload. With emerging innovations like LLM and the continuous expansion of computer vision deployments, more processing power is needed where the data is being generated to run real-time inferencing at the edge.The new Lenovo ThinkEdge SE360 V2 is the latest purpose-built edge server that delivers more power to enable AI solutions ranging from computer vision, voice AI and generative AI. Whether for a store, factory or office, the new server provides extended accelerated computing supportive of Intel Data Center GPU Flex Series, the NVIDIA AI platform, including NVIDIA L4 Tensor Core GPUs and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, as well as Qualcomm® Cloud AI 100 platforms to enable intense workloads at the source of data creation. The ThinkEdge SE360 V2 delivers the highest GPU density in the smallest form factor available and is at least twice as quiet compared to competitive products, allowing edge AI to be deployed in the most remote and rugged sites.The new range of AI-ready edge solutions also includes the Lenovo ThinkEdge SE350 V2 for hybrid cloud and modern HCI deployments, offering twice the storage capacity and leveraging the Intel Xeon® D processor to help customers run AI while easily consolidating workloads, data backup, collaboration and content delivery in the smallest form factor on the market.In the data center, the new Lenovo ThinkSystem SR675 V3 is the most versatile, accelerated computing platform on the market and purpose-built for AI with three server configurations in one, including support for NVIDIA HGX 4-GPU systems, or 4-DW PCle GPU or 8-DW PCle GPU servers in a compact 3U footprint. As fully simulated digital replicas of entire buildings, factories, distribution centers, retail stores or cities, digital twins are combined with AI to generate improved business processes and design outcomes. Lenovo is collaborating with NVIDIA on its latest NVIDIA OVX system for building and operating virtual worlds, delivering powerful performance for NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise workloads in the data center. The ThinkSystem SR675 V3, based on the OVX architecture, features up to eight NVIDIA L40 GPUs to maximize performance and deliver the most advanced ray tracing with RTX-accelerated graphics and AI capabilities in a robust and scalable platform, allowing customers to explore and unlock the full potential of digital twins for businesses of all sizes.Beyond infrastructure, Lenovo is implementing AI from the pocket to the cloud, with cutting-edge smart devices and solutions, that ensure data science is accessible across all industries in the new hybrid and remote work era. For improved collaboration, new Lenovo ThinkPad commercial laptops include a new Lenovo View application, offering AI-enabled computer vision technology for enhanced video image quality and tools. Lenovo ThinkReality XR solutions help users access immersive simulations, while purpose-built Lenovo ThinkStation and ThinkPad P Series Data Science workstations deliver the high-performance necessary for mission-critical AI model development, data prep and training tasks.With its AI-ready servers, cutting-edge smart devices and ecosystem of leading ISVs, Lenovo will bring pre-validated, performance optimized AI solutions to the source of customer data, even in the most unique edge settings. Together, these advancements serve to simplify the rollout of AI, making it accessible to organizations of all sizes and enabling transformative intelligence across all industries.

DUBAI:  Amazon Payment Services, a regional leader in digital payments across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, shares research on the spending preferences of those born between 1997 and 2012, known as Generation Z (Gen Z). The white paper, “Understanding Generation Z,” compares the spending preferences of Gen Z with that of other generations, such as those born between 1981 and 1996, otherwise known as “millennials”, and discusses the influence of Gen Z as its spending power grows. Based on research conducted by Sixth Factor Consulting, and sponsored by Amazon Payment Services, insights from the research are provided in the second white paper published on the ‘re:Imagine Payments’ thought leadership forum, which aims to help merchants and those interested in digital payments gain knowledge about the space.Peter George, Managing Director for Amazon Payment Services in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said: “The Gen Z demographic has immense potential to drive future business growth for merchants, making it an important customer segment for businesses to secure. The analysis in this paper presents Gen Z’s attitudes toward digital payments covering also other relevant industry topics in MENA, can be used by merchants to connect effectively with this audience, in order to drive healthy, and sustainable growth.”The white paper presents research from surveying over 1,800 respondents across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia (KSA), and Egypt.George also said: “Earlier this year, we launched the ‘re:Imagine Payments’ forum to create a space for collaboration among existing and potential partners to engage, explore, and establish new solutions together. This white paper comes in line with our goal to share insights on industry trends across different audiences, promoting knowledge-sharing to support growth and innovation in the regional payments sector.”Merchants in the region can utilize the findings of the “Understanding Generation Z” white paper to explore this demographic’s preferences and underlying motivations, in order to authentically connect with Gen Z and secure future success, by delivering to their emerging needs.More than half of research respondents prefer paying digitallyGen Z members are tech-savvy, which impacts their attitude toward payments. Research showed this demographic prefers digital payment methods, with payment cards and mobile wallets being the most popular.Those surveyed said they thought Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options are a convenient way to pay for big-ticket items. Zero interest, lack of paperwork, and lightening the pressure on the pocket are the reasons driving interest for this payment method among Generation Z.In all three countries, the vast majority of respondents were aware of peer-to-peer (P2P) transfer apps, with awareness as high as 92% in Egypt, driven by the early availability of the national Instant Payment Network. The majority of respondents across UAE, KSA and Egypt claim to have conducted a P2P transfer using an app or another method at least once.The research also found high awareness of in-app payments; however, respondents suggested that this method is competing with other commonly used payments methods, and that merchants should consider using discounts to steer more purchases toward mobile apps.One category of in-app payment that was welcomed by respondents was super apps. Respondents said that super apps, currently available in AE, were particularly convenient, leading to high awareness and take-up.Personalization over privacyGen Z members say they prioritize personalization over privacy. The study found that Gen Z is less concerned about data-sharing than previous generations, and they are willing to share their data if it provides them with a better shopping experience.One Gen Z survey respondent said: “I am aware cookies track down the websites I visit and target advertisement towards me as per my taste and choice. [But] I get relevant content on what would interest me, making my online experience more personalized.”Millennials who took the survey, however, expressed more concern about data-sharing. One millennial respondent said: “I am very careful and reluctant in sharing my data, I feel unsafe and prefer to only click on websites I know. Even on known websites, I do not share my information.”Underlying motivations driving behaviourTo successfully reach Gen Z, businesses must understand not only their quantifiable behaviors but more importantly their underlying motivations.As the first generation of digital natives, Gen Z have never known a world without smartphones and the internet, unlike the digital immigrants who preceded them.This has exposed Gen Z to various global issues very early in life due to their behavior as heavy users of social media, embedding a deep sense of social responsibility which shows up in their choice of brands and workplaces. To gain favor with Gen Z, businesses must understand their values and priorities and develop a matching corporate social responsibility strategy.Gen Z is also one of the most entrepreneurial generations, especially in the Middle East. This entrepreneurial mindset is motivated by the underlying desire for financial independence.As a result, offering loyalty programs and reward schemes that emphasize affordability, and showcasing financial planning as an attractor to newer payment methods will be beneficial for businesses targeting Gen Z.In order to effectively target Gen Z, businesses need to understand this demographic. “Understanding Generation Z” delivers insights into the way Gen Z thinks. This will help businesses build their businesses in a way that appeals to this unique, complex, and dynamic generation and seize future opportunities.

Riyadh: Nortal, the global digital transformation powerhouse, has appointed Hani Al Khiary as the Country Leader for Saudi Arabia. As a Saudi national with over fifteen years of experience in digital transformation and technology advisory, Al Khiary brings deep industry knowledge and expertise to further strengthen Nortal's presence and commitment to the Kingdom's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.In his new role, Al Khiary will be responsible for overseeing and driving commercial relationships in Saudi Arabia, as well as managing Nortal’s operations in Riyadh, one of the firm's three offices in the GCC alongside Oman and the UAE. His appointment signifies Nortal's dedication to growth in Saudi Arabia and ongoing investment in expanding its team of experts, uniquely positioned to help clients make a meaningful contribution to the country's digital transformation journey.Nortal recognizes that fostering local tech talent is a crucial aspect of Vision 2030. The Kingdom is in high demand for skilled tech professionals, part of its aim to diversify away from an economy traditionally reliant on oil. Al Khiary will play a pivotal role in championing Nortal's ‘Saudi Changemakers Program,’ a new type of internship program for junior software developers looking to get hands-on experience with Java, React and SQL outside of the Middle East. The most recent program saw nine young Saudi professionals embark on a three-month knowledge sharing and mentorship journey, culminating with permanent job offers from Nortal."Al Khiary is a strong leader with extensive cross-industry experience and an impressive record of accomplishment in driving year-on-year growth," said Taavi Einaste, CEO of Nortal in the Middle East and Africa. "His leadership qualities and deep understanding of the region will strengthen Nortal’s presence and expertise in this ever-growing economy. We empower our clients to achieve their strategic goals, drive innovation, and create a positive impact within countries, and our ambition in Saudi Arabia is to achieve the same."Hani Al Khiary, Country Manager for Saudi Arabia at Nortal, added: "I am honored to join Nortal to expand and scale the company’s footprint in Saudi Arabia. Nortal’s capabilities across technology, data, cyber resilience, product and strategy allows us to execute the company’s vision and our commitment to the digital transformation of the Kingdom. I am excited to re-imagine the future by championing the next generation of Saudi tech talent through Nortal’s Changemakers Program.”Nortal is a renowned global leader in digital transformation, assisting government entities and companies in transforming their operations through the implementation of digital technologies and AI. With a proven track record and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional results for notable clients such as the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia, Nortal is well-positioned to support the Kingdom's digitalization vision.

Thriwe, an Indian start-up based in New Delhi, has revealed its plans to extend its presence in Saudi Arabia through a strategic collaboration with Al Mutlaq, a conglomerate that focuses on venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investments.As part of this partnership, Al Mutlaq has made an undisclosed investment in Thriwe to provide financial support for the company's launch and operations in the region. Thriwe aims to achieve approximately $100 million in revenue from the Saudi market within the next 36 months.Thriwe will utilize the newly acquired capital to enhance its loyalty and rewards ecosystem. Additionally, the company will allocate funds to enhance customer experience, devise regional operational strategies, and strengthen technological solutions within Saudi Arabia.Commenting on the joint venture with Al Mutlaq, Dhruv Verma, the Founder & CEO of Thriwe, stated: “We are pleased to partner with Thriwe as they expand their operations into Saudi Arabia. At Al Mutlaq Group, we believe in investing in innovative and disruptive companies that have the potential to transform industries. We see Thriwe as a valuable partner in the loyalty and rewards space, and we are excited to support their growth in the region. In addition, Their platform offers a unique solution that can benefit businesses of all sizes (from SME to Large Scale Industry), and we look forward to working with Thriwe to bring this solution to our clients and partners in Saudi Arabia." In response to this development, the CEO of Al Mutlaq Group said: "We have been doing reasonably well in Dubai and have been associated with various financial institutions like FAB, Mashreq, RakBank, ENBD, etc, running as managing loyalty programs for them as well. Our goal is to empower businesses in Saudi Arabia with a user-friendly and customizable platform that will enable them to build stronger relationships with their customers by driving loyalty and retention. We are excited to partner with Al Mutlaq Group, a leading conglomerate in the region, and we look forward to a long and successful partnership."Photo credits: Unsplash In collaboration with Allison Saeng

Twitter has announced its latest endeavour to revolutionize user engagement through the development of a state-of-the-art video application for smart TVs. This innovative initiative, confirmed by Elon Musk, reinforces the company's commitment to advancing its video content strategy.In a tweet, Elon Musk officially confirmed Twitter's ongoing efforts to introduce a dedicated video application for smart TVs. This strategic move aligns seamlessly with the platform's overarching objective of prioritizing the expansion of video content to cater to the evolving preferences and demands of its diverse user base.During an investor presentation held on Thursday, the newly appointed CEO of Twitter, Linda Yaccarino, along with Elon Musk, unveiled a comprehensive roadmap outlining Twitter's future plans. With an unwavering focus on video content, creator collaborations, and commerce partnerships, the company aims to revitalize its business model beyond digital advertising, as reported by Reuters. The introduction of the video application for smart TVs represents a significant milestone in this transformative journey.Twitter's forthcoming video app for smart TVs serves as a testament to the platform's unwavering dedication to video content. In recent years, Twitter has made substantial strides in enhancing the user experience by embracing the potential of video. This new application will empower users to seamlessly access a wide array of captivating video content directly from their smart TVs, unlocking a whole new level of engagement and entertainment.As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Twitter remains committed to driving innovation and delivering remarkable experiences to its users. The video application for smart TVs signifies the platform's progressive vision and determination to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in the social media space.

Dubai: More than two in five (44%) consumers in UAE have seen a decrease in their disposable income over the past 12 months while 27% have seen no change, according to the latest data from YouGov’s Global FMCG/CPG & Retail whitepaper 2023 – Changing purchasing habits in a cost-of-living crisis, shows that . With only 22% having experienced an increase, overall, the negative impact on disposable income outweighs the positive more by two-fold.When it comes to changes by age groups, we can see how the over 35 are hit hard by inflation, with the 55+ adults experiencing the hardest impact (at 53%). On the other hand, young adults between 25–34 years appear to be the least impacted. The report also explores the products and services that are showing increasing price sensitivity in the past six months.Food related products rank in the top four most price sensitive categories with groceries being the top concern for more than two in five UAE consumers (44%). A similar proportion (41%) is conscious of the price of clothing/ shoes. Around a third have been concerned about the cost of mobile phones (35%) and take-out food (31%). Air travel (30%) and electronics (29%) fall within the next tier of price sensitive categories, along with utilities (27%), car/vehicle (26%) and medicine & healthcare products (25%). Despite experiencing a change in disposable income, consumers seem confident about their future spending and are likely to increase their spending in most of the listed categories.Grocery spending is likely to surge, with more than a third (36%) planning to increase spend on food & beverages in the next 12 months, considerably more those who intend to spend less (22%). Similarly, the apparel and household supplies/ toiletries categories can expect more or the same amount of spend from consumers than a cut back.The personal care category is likely to remain stable, with a higher proportion saying they will spend the same amount than those who may increase or decrease their spending. The two categories most likely to be affected by inflation are toys/puzzles/games/books and alcohol, where consumers are more likely to not buy or reduce their spend than increase it.In order to manage their expenses better, consumers are resorting to a number of smart shopping tactics. More than a third of consumers in UAE have shopped at a budget or cheaper store (35%), compared prices (34%) or maintained a tight budget (34%). Using discount codes or coupons to save money was the next best tactic (32%), closely followed by waiting for sales to buy their desired products (31%).Looking ahead, using discount codes to apply a reduction in price is expected to be the top future tactic, with two in five UAE consumers saying so (40%). This is closely followed by waiting for the price of products to be slashed in sales or on sale days (39%), shopping at budget stores (37%), price comparison (37%) and a tight shopping budget (37%).

Dubai: With an aim to explore further opportunities and discuss the development of the PR industry, Monika Fourneaux, Head of EMEA at PRCA, visited PRCA MENA partner One Group in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last week. The two-day visit also served as an occasion to meet local prospects and extend greetings to current PRCA MENA members.“Networking with local agencies provided valuable insights into their perspective on the local market and the challenges they face. I was very pleased to engage with industry professionals and discuss the forthcoming support PRCA MENA will offer them,” said Monika Fourneaux, Head of PRCA EMEA.Faris Aljameel, Vice-chair of One Group, commented, "We are pleased to be partnered with PRCA MENA. This global association, renowned for its ethical values, brings significant networking advantages to the region, along with access to prestigious awards and professional training."PRCA MENA remains committed to expanding its presence and fostering collaboration in the Saudi Arabian market. The visit emphasised the organization's dedication to supporting and empowering PR professionals in the region.

Dubai: Lenovo has partnered with Amazon Ads to launch an impactful Q4 campaign for their Lenovo Legion brand, aimed at creating an authentic gaming experience for audiences, particularly women within the gaming community. By leveraging Amazon DSP video, display banners, and other ad products, Lenovo successfully connected with customers and celebrated the diversity of players in the gaming world.One of the campaign highlights was a hero video featured on the Amazon website homepage, showcasing a female protagonist who exemplifies leadership, strength, and effective collaboration while gaming on Lenovo Legion laptops. The inclusion of a female lead underscored Lenovo's commitment to inclusivity, empowering and encouraging women in the gaming community.Lenovo's Legion campaign was executed in three phases: lead-in, lead-up, and lead-out. During the lead-in phase, the brand used a multichannel approach to target Amazon PC gaming shoppers with video ads, dynamic banners, and static displays. The lead-up phase focused on peak events like Singles' Day and White Friday, employing Sponsored Brands, Sponsored Display, and display banners to convert brand-aware audiences and drive consideration. The lead-out phase concentrated on fostering loyalty and engaging in-market audiences through responsive e-commerce creatives (REC) and Sponsored Products.The results of the Lenovo Legion Q4 campaign exceeded expectations, reaching a broad audience in the UAE and generating significant revenue. The campaign garnered 33 million impressions, effectively raising awareness of the Lenovo Legion brand. With a strong return on ad spend (ROAS) of 7.81, the campaign demonstrated its ability to drive revenue and deliver a positive return on investment. Furthermore, 71% of the customers were new to the brand (NTB), indicating the campaign's success in expanding the reach of Lenovo Legion.The campaign's awareness-focused tactics, including video ads, achieved a remarkable 60% video completion rate (VCR), capturing viewers' attention and delivering engaging content. The campaign's click-through rate (CTR) of 0.18% surpassed industry benchmarks, showcasing the effectiveness of the creative messaging in driving user engagement. In terms of consideration, the campaign achieved a detail page view rate (DVPR) of 1.1%, indicating its success in driving potential customers to explore Lenovo Legion products.Demand generation tactics, such as REC and Sponsored Products, resulted in an exceptional ROAS of 19, highlighting the campaign's ability to drive conversions and create demand for Lenovo Legion laptops. Lastly, the campaign led to a 14% relative lift in ad recall, solidifying the brand's increased recognition and recall among the key audience.Lenovo Legion's Q4 campaign exemplifies the brand's dedication to empowering and supporting women in gaming, showcasing the versatile opportunities their products offer to enhance the gaming experience for all. By successfully reaching and resonating with their target audience, Lenovo has further strengthened their position as a leader in the gaming industry.

Dubai: Merkle, dentsu’s leading technology-enabled, data-driven customer experience management company, today announces the appointment of Andreas Skopal as Managing Director for the Middle East and North Africa region. Andreas brings with him over 20 years of experience in customer experience transformation, marketing, technology, and strategy across the MENA and APAC regions. With over ten years working for reputable digital consulting firms such as PWC and EY, Andreas has a solid background in guiding organizations through their transformation journeys, and most recently served as Partner and Global Head of Innovation, Growth, and Digital at Synpulse. Andreas has also held senior executive positions in major financial institutions in the MENA region, overseeing digital and marketing divisions. His track record of building high-performing and customer-focused teams, coupled with his experience in leading complex transformational delivery programs makes him an invaluable addition to the Merkle team.In his new role, Andreas will be at the forefront of delivering Merkle's diverse capabilities and services, which encompass media, analytics, data, identity, CX, and technology. His focus will be on supporting brands in their customer experience transformation and assisting them in navigating the complex data and technology decisions that support success locally, regionally and globally. He will lead the team across Riyadh, Dubai, Cairo, and Beirut in forging stronger alliance partnerships, generating new opportunities, fostering growth with existing clients, and enabling collaboration between dentsu's CXM, Media, and Creative Service Lines.Tarek Daouk, CEO of dentsu MENA said: “I am delighted to welcome Andreas to the MENA executive team. His proven expertise in digital transformation, strategy and innovation, and passion for cultivating long term, outcome-based relationships will be instrumental in unlocking growth opportunities for both our clients and our team. Andreas' distinctive combination of skills and experience aligns perfectly with Merkle's vision of becoming a market leader in the customer experience and transformation space.”Andreas Skopal, said: “I am extremely excited to be joining a company like Merkle at a time when brands in the region are accelerating their focus on achieving a distinct competitive advantage through building experiences that truly deliver on their brand promise. My focus at Merkle will be to bring together our depth in strategic and creative thinking, technical expertise and commercial execution, to help organizations deliver meaningful customer value.”  Merkle is one of the largest customer experience transformation leaders in globally, with over 16,000 talented individuals throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. Merkle works with some of the most prestigious brands in the region catering to different service lines and industry verticals to provide leading edge customer experience management through its experts in Analytics, Data & Martech, Experience & Commerce and Strategy & Transformation

Dubai: PANGAIA, the world’s most innovative materials science company, known for bringing problem-solving innovations to the world through premium lifestyle products, is opening its first Travel Retail store in the prime location of the Emirates’ hub in Dubai.PANGAIA’s purpose is to inspire and accelerate an Earth-positive future. To bring its purpose closer to consumers and invite people on the journey, PANGAIA collaborated with Lagardere Travel Retail and Dubai Airports as strategic partners to enter travel retail, with its first outpost at DXB, – the world’s busiest international airport for the 9th year running and a trend-setter among global aviation hubs.Store Experience & DesignPANGAIA is located in Concourse B, Terminal 3, and occupies a footprint of 182 sqm. The entrance is a bespoke large digital fascia that displays a sneak peek into PANGAIA’s ethos, and serves as a platform to introduce passengers to the brand’s Earth-positive mission. Upon entering, the space offers a unique immersion into nature, starting from the custom-built terrarium as a central feature to the natural soundscape and the invigorating scent in the fitting rooms to emulate the experience of being immersed in a forest. Echoing the brand's purpose, the PANGAIA store has been mindfully designed around locally sourced finishes, natural materials and energy-efficient LED lighting throughout.Product OfferPANGAIA has curated a broad range of powered by nature products that speak to the brand’s focus on ‘high tech naturalism’ and innovation through materials science. In addition to a wide range of the iconic organic or recycled cotton 365 loungewear styles, the concession will feature a collection of FLWRDWN™ outerwear, recycled wool and cashmere, plant-based activewear, grape leather sneakers, as well as jersey styles from FRUTFIBER™ and a selection of MIRUM® accessories.The opening of PANGAIA also marks the extension of Lagardère Travel Retail’s operations at DXB to Retail, in addition to its extensive and diverse portfolio of F&B outlets.Commenting on this announcement, Vadim Motlik, CEO, Lagardère Travel Retail UAE, said: ““This is truly a partnership between PANGAIA, Dubai Airports and Lagardere Travel Retail. The journey has been marked by a very collaborative and enthusiastic spirit, eager to bring the brand to life in the world’s busiest airport.This new business venture is a testament of Lagardere Travel Retail’s commitment to provide innovative and unique experiences to passengers, alongside the strong sustainability focus our business has for the years to come.”PANGAIA collective added: “Since our inception, PANGAIA’s mission has been to inspire and accelerate industry transformation towards an Earth-Positive future. With the incredible support of our partners, we were able to create an experience connecting the traveling audience back to nature, offering them a glimpse into the movement we are creating and having them join us on the journey towards more responsible production and consumption.” Welcoming the arrival of Pangaia to Dubai International, Eugene Barry, EVP - Commercial at Dubai Airports said, "Our partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail and Pangaia not only enhances the airport consumer experience for our guests, but also reinforces our commitment to sustainable practices. By bringing this highly innovative brand to DXB, we aim to inspire travellers to make conscious choices and create greater awareness about the collective power of individual actions. Together, we are creating spaces where environmental responsibility, creativity and style seamlessly coexist, offering DXB guests the opportunity to make a positive impact on their journeys."

Dubai: Beyon Cyber, a part of the Beyon Group and a leading regional provider of cybersecurity services based in Bahrain, has entered into a strategic MoU with Injazat, a leader in digital transformation and IT solutions, headquartered in Abu Dhabi.This strategic partnership aims to combine Injazat's digital transformation expertise with Beyon Cyber's advanced cybersecurity solutions and managed services, to deliver holistic and cutting-edge digital offerings to clients in the UAE and across the region, said the statement from the Bahrain group.Beyon Cyber delivers Cyber security services in Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in addition to Maldives, Jordan, and Channel Islands.The collaboration between Beyon Cyber and Injazat marks an important milestone in the regional cybersecurity and digital transformation landscape, it stated.By merging Injazat's and Beyon Cyber’s experience and expertise in delivering secure digital services, both entities would be able to offer a unique value proposition to customers and enable collaboration on large scale business opportunities across the region, it added.This partnership also opens opportunities in new international markets and facilitates the extension of Beyon Cyber's advanced cybersecurity offerings, notably their industry-leading managed detection and response services, to Injazat's extensive customer base in the UAE and beyond, remarked Sheikh Khalid bin Daij Al Khalifa, CEO at Beyon Cyber after signing the deal with Ali Nimer, the CCO at Injazat at the Conrad Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi.The collaboration between Beyon Cyber and Injazat signifies a shared dedication to empower organizations to embrace digital transformation securely, stated Sheikh Khalid."By combining our joint expertise, we will not only be able to expand our reach to new markets but also deliver enhanced value to our customers through fully integrated digital solutions and managed security services that address the unique challenges faced by businesses today," he noted."Injazat, an industry recognized market leader in digital transformation, known for deep industry knowledge, is poised to leverage Beyon Cyber's state-of-the-art cybersecurity services to enhance its offerings," he added.Nimer said Injazat's combined expertise with Beyon Cyber expands the group's portfolio, enhances scalability and agility, taps into a wider customer base, and strengthens its value proposition."This partnership reflects Injazat’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional cybersecurity services, and we are confident that this collaboration will drive significant commercial success and reinforce our position as a key player in the GCC region’s cybersecurity market," he added.

Dubai: Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under Dubai Chambers, has launched its third report on Dubai’s digital economy. The “Dubai's Venture Capital Ecosystem” report provides an overview of the investor landscape backing the start-ups and scale-ups that are transforming Dubai and the MENA region.Commenting on the release of the report, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications and Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said, “The UAE’s advanced digital ecosystem has accelerated the development of the entrepreneurship sector and contributed to significant growth in its activity. The country’s proactive vision in developing legislation and initiatives in the digital field creates a favorable environment for startups and fast-growing companies, which has attracted unicorn companies and investors from around the world and consolidated the UAE's position as a global hub for the digital economy.”Al Olama added, “The results in the report reflect our long-term commitment to developing smart digital solutions and deploying these to build a new and future-facing model for the economic sector in the UAE, and Dubai in particular, and underline the emirate’s position as a global capital for the future economy.”As Dubai sets its sights on becoming the global destination of choice for digital entrepreneurs, Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy is tasked with attracting leading tech companies, start-ups and scale-ups that can support Dubai’s digital ambitions. The chamber was created to build the world’s best digital infrastructure and transform Dubai into an international technology hub.With a series of visionary initiatives and investments in cutting-edge technology, Dubai is well on its way to achieving its ambitions. From its world-class fiberoptic network and cloud-based systems to its innovative approaches to smart city development, Dubai has set the standard for how cities can leverage technology to enhance the lives of its citizens and attract global businesses.Just one recent example is the opening of the Moro Hub in February 2023, world’s largest solar-powered data centre. The 100-MW facility is a Dubai 10X initiative, which is an innovative program launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2017. The initiative entails government entities creating disruptive, exponential change, placing Dubai 10 years ahead of leading global cities.According to the report, a total of 749 scale-ups across the MENA region (excluding Israel), have raised a total of over US$19.5 billion cumulatively over the past decade (2012-2022), with UAE scaleups accounting for 65 percent of total cumulative capital raised across the region.Today, Dubai is home to over 40 percent of the MENA region’s scale-ups, with 306 scale-ups calling the emirate home. Dubai still accounts for over 90 percent of all scale-ups in the country, which is home to 338 scale-ups in total.Dubai’s 306 scale-ups have raised over US$11.7 billion in funding over the course of the past decade, which represents an impressive 60 percent of the MENA region’s total cumulative fundraising total. In addition, in 2022, Dubai-based startups doubled-down on their prior year results, fundraising over US$2 billion.In addition, the growth of funding in the MENA region has exceeded US$4 billion in 2021 and 2022 and the number of mega-rounds of US$300 million or more has seen an increasing trend with three seen in 2021 and six in 2022, including two scaleups listing on stock exchanges.In 2022, there was a significant shift in the number of funding rounds, where scale-ups raised funding, and a trend towards larger cheque sizes and funding bracket gained momentum. In the US$100 million to US$1 billion range, funding rounds increased by more than 100 percent between 2021 and 2022. Other funding ranges also saw increases between 20 percent to 87 percent.Considering the source of capital raise, venture capital and corporate rounds accounted for over three quarters of the capital raised, while IPOs and ICOs accounted for nearly equal share.The number of scaleups have also increased considerably, in Dubai, growing 26 percent between 2021 and 2022. In terms of absolute numbers, Dubai saw an increase of 64 scale-ups between 2021 and 2022 growing from 242 to 306 scale-ups.Venture funding in Dubai has seen tremendous growth in the past decade. From a time of only seed stage and earlier rounds, Dubai has grown to become the only city in the MENA region to be home to startups to raise funds in Series E and Series F rounds.The report, which was produced in collaboration with Entrepreneur Middle East, reveals that more than 30 percent of the funding rounds are attributed to startups headquartered in Dubai, implying 87 percent of all funding rounds for UAE-based companies are for firms headquartered in the emirate.By 2031, the national digital economy is expected to be conservatively valued at well over US$140 billion (from today’s US$38 billion). Together with Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, it is the collaboration between stakeholders and ecosystem players that will ensure that Dubai becomes the next digital economy capital of the world

Intigral, the media arm of stc Group and MENA region’s leading provider of digital entertainment, announced its strategic partnership with Bedaya TV, a socially-oriented Saudi channel dedicated to producing reality TV shows and promoting local content and talent. Bedaya TV is one of the largest Arabic channels in terms of television production and is widely acclaimed for its community reach and popularity among audiences in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries.Through the new partnership with Bedaya TV, Intigral emphasizes its strategy to offer users more viewing options and make all their favorite content accessible through one easy-to-navigate platform. This collaboration builds upon Intigral's commitment to empowering local talent and developing the Saudi digital entertainment sector while cementing its position as a digital entertainment leader in the MENA region.Leveraging its investment in an innovative suite of top-rated services, and strategic partnerships, Intigral harnesses the power of its aggregator platform, stc tv, to customize the viewing experience to match the individual preferences of each viewer. This customer-centric approach guarantees that subscribers enjoy a personalized and seamless entertainment journey.Commenting on the partnership, Intigral’s CEO Makus Golder said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Bedaya TV in our shared mission to empower and promote Saudi talent and contribute to the growth of a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem for content creation in the Kingdom. This strategic partnership resonates with our strategy and the exceptional value our platforms bring to all stakeholders, including our business partners and end users. Intigral strives to captivate and delight viewers with its top-tier offerings, providing businesses with comprehensive solutions to deliver unparalleled digital entertainment experiences to their customers. By seamlessly integrating our platforms’ cutting-edge solutions and extensive content library, we empower businesses to elevate customer engagement and foster growth within the rapidly evolving digital landscape.”On his part, Bedaya TV Chairman Ibrahim Alshehri said: “We’re pleased to join forces with Intigral to provide exceptional digital entertainment and enhance customers' experience. Bedaya TV and Intigral are committed to empowering Saudi talent to indulge in captivating experiences that transcend boundaries and ignite their imaginations. Our objective is to deliver quality content that brings entertainment and joy to a wide-ranging audience, and stc tv allows us to reach the most relevant segment of video streamers in KSA”Intigral's master aggregator approach ensures a seamless digital experience supported by an industry-leading streaming service. By aggregating and curating top regional and global content, Intigral provides audiences across the region with a streamlined entertainment experience over a single platform with one account and a single bill.With a team of over 200 OTT experts and an impressive portfolio of more than 30 global content partnerships, Intigral has solidified its position as the preferred content streaming partner for telecom operators across the MENA region.

Meta has launched Voicebox, a cutting-edge generative AI model designed to revolutionize the field of speech generation. Voicebox demonstrates remarkable capabilities in audio editing, sampling, and styling, unlocking a wide range of possibilities for creators and users alike.Voicebox leverages state-of-the-art AI algorithms to perform tasks such as editing, sampling, and stylizing audio content, even without explicit training for these specific functions. By utilizing in-context learning, this groundbreaking model can produce high-quality audio clips and manipulate pre-recorded audio while preserving the original content and style. For instance, Voicebox can seamlessly remove unwanted background noises like car horns or barking dogs, offering a transformative audio editing experience.One of the most remarkable features of Voicebox is its multilingual capabilities. The model can generate speech in six languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese. This versatility opens up a world of possibilities for future applications. Imagine virtual assistants and non-player characters in the metaverse speaking with natural-sounding voices or visually impaired individuals receiving written messages from friends read aloud by AI in their own voices.The potential use cases for Voicebox are vast and include:  1. In-context text-to-speech synthesis: With Voicebox, a mere two-second audio sample is sufficient to match the audio style and use it for text-to-speech generation.  2. Speech editing and noise reduction: Voicebox can recreate interrupted speech segments or replace misspoken words without requiring the re-recording of an entire speech. It acts as an audio editing eraser, effortlessly enhancing the listening experience.  3. Cross-lingual style transfer: By providing Voicebox with a speech sample and a text passage in different languages, the model can produce a natural reading of the text in any of the supported languages. This breakthrough technology fosters authentic communication across language barriers.  4. Diverse speech sampling: Voicebox has been trained on diverse data, resulting in the generation of speech that accurately reflects how people speak in real-world scenarios and across the supported languages.Meta's Voicebox represents a significant leap forward in the realm of generative AI research. This breakthrough technology not only paves the way for enhanced audio editing and manipulation capabilities but also offers numerous possibilities for enriching human interactions, accessibility, and creative expression.Meta looks forward to further exploring the audio space. The company encourages other researchers to build upon this work and collaborate in pushing the boundaries of generative AI.

Dubai: The global beauty and personal market is expected to reach USD 729 billion by 2026 while the Middle East & Africa region is worth USD 36 billion, and is expected to reach USD 61 billion by 2026, according to Euromonitor. GCC countries continue to have one of the highest per capita spend globally of $250 within the category.In the same context, Qaadu, a premium brand specializing in ayurveda, plant-based, cruelty-free beauty and wellness products, has announced its official launch in the UAE. Inspired by the rich heritage of Ayurveda, Qaadu was conceived in the vibrant city of Dubai, where traditional wisdom blends harmoniously with modern lifestyles.“We are delighted to announce the introduction of Qaadu to the dynamic market of Dubai. Recognized as a cosmopolitan center that thrives on diversity, innovation, and sustainability, Dubai provides an ideal platform for our brand. With utmost confidence, we anticipate that the astute clientele of Dubai will warmly embrace the meticulously designed, cruelty-free product range that Qaadu has to offer,” said Shafin Kalathingal, (pictured above), Founder of Qaadu.During the COVID crisis, Shafin Kalathingal, a dedicated investment banker in the UAE, experienced job loss. However, refusing to succumb, he summoned unwavering determination and unleashed his visionary creation, Qaadu, upon the world.Qaadu, which translates to 'forest' in several Indian languages, takes inspiration from nature and herbal remedies for all its formulas. Qaadu has partnered with several pharmacies and hypermarkets across the United Arab Emirates. The brand's products are now available across Lulu Hypermarkets in the UAE. Qaadu is also accessible across pharmacy stores of DOCIB Group, Med7 and Aster Group. Qaadu products are extensively available on the brand's official website, as well as popular platforms such as Amazon.ae, Carrefour UAE, Mumzworld, Bevegan, Noon and more.Qaadu's product line encompasses skincare, hair care, bath and body, and wellness essentials. Each product is formulated with a meticulous approach, ensuring the highest standards of purity, efficacy, and environmental responsibility."Our wide-ranging product portfolio caters to a diverse spectrum of health and wellness needs. From nourishing hair care solutions to revitalizing skin care essentials, we offer a comprehensive selection suitable for individuals of all ages. Moving forward, our vision is to establish ourselves as the ultimate brand for health and beauty needs for the entire family," added Shafin.All products from Qaadu have obtained certifications from The Vegan Society of the United Kingdom, the oldest and most respected vegan certification available. Additionally, all their products are manufactured in facilities certified under Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and their nutraceuticals and ayurvedic wellness products are produced in facilities registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA).Qaadu has secured a favourable investment from an Angel Investor within the oil and gas industry. This funding will be allocated towards inventory management, product development, and marketing endeavors. The brand has also formed partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to initiate its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Dubai: Vivium Holding, a progressive single-family office headquartered in Dubai, has announced its partnership with MEVP (Middle East Venture Partners), a leading venture capital asset manager in the MENA region, as Cornerstone Partner. The collaboration marks an important milestone in expanding both companies’ investments horizons, fostering growth and innovation in the region's entrepreneurial ecosystem.MEVP has been at the forefront of venture capital investing in the MENA region for more than a decade with a strong record of successful investments in technology start-ups across various sectors. Vivium Holding’s mission to invest in talent, ideas and build brands to leave a meaningful generational impact establishes powerful synergies that strengthen the collaboration. By joining forces with MEVP as Cornerstone Partner, Vivium aims to leverage its expertise and resources to identify and support the most promising technology start-ups in MENA.Vivium Holding is focused on building purposeful value creation for investors, stakeholders, and businesses in the MENA region through its diversified investment portfolio in the areas of luxury residential and hospitality, technology, and passion investments such as art and design.MEVP currently manages four regional technology-focused venture capital funds with more than USD 300 million in assets under management and USD 1.6 billion in co-investments. MEVP has successfully backed more than 60 start-ups across MENA including industry leaders such as Anghami, the Nasdaq-listed MENA leader in music streaming and digital entertainment, digital payment infrastructure provider HyperPay, and Fresha, one of the top global digital marketplaces for beauty and wellness services.The partnership is established as MEVP launches its fourth flagship MENA VC fund – the Middle East Venture Fund IV (MEVF IV) – with a target size of USD 150 million. MEVF IV’s will focus on investing in innovative early-stage and growth-stage technology companies and supporting their growth into MENA market leaders.“We are pleased to join MEVP in this strategic partnership that underscores our commitment to support the growth of innovative start-ups in MENA.” said Elie Khouri, Founder and CEO of Vivium Holding. “Together, we will accelerate the development of the region’s thriving VC ecosystem, empowering start-ups to grow into mainstream regional and global champions and to create long-term sustainable businesses.”Walid Hanna, Chairman and co-CEO of MEVP, added: “My MEVP Partners and I are thrilled to have Vivium Holding join us as Cornerstone Partner. Vivium Holding’s strong focus on technology investments and their global perspective on innovation will complement MEVP’s existing capabilities, allowing us to together create even more value to both our portfolios and to the wider entrepreneurship community in the MENA region.”Vivium Holding's appointment as Cornerstone Partner with MEVP is timely; the MENA region continues to witness a surge in entrepreneurial activity, with startups disrupting traditional industries and driving digital transformation. The collaboration between Vivium Holding and MEVP is poised to drive economic growth, job creation, and technological advancements across the MENA region.Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Riyadh: HOPSCOTCH Groupe, a communications consulting group and a major player in digital, PR, influence, and events, has expanded its presence with the launch of a new office in Saudi Arabia. To mark its Saudi debut, HOPSCOTCH Saudi, has taken part in Saudi Entertainment and Amusement (SEA) from May 28th to May 30th May.This strategic move reflects HOPSCOTCH’s ongoing growth and market influence, as well as its commitment to meeting the increasing demand for its high-quality services in Saudi Arabia, in support of Saudi Vision 2030. With this expansion, HOPSCOTCH’s integrated international network now spans 37 offices across 5 continents, positioning the company’s capacity to engage and support clients on a global scale.His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of France to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ludovic Pouille, graced the opening of Hopscotch Saudi office and expressed his warm welcome for the launch. He stated, “We are thrilled to witness the official launch of HOPSCOTCH Groupe, a leading French-based Global PR, in Saudi Arabia. We strongly believe that Hopscotch’s presence in the region will further strengthen the successful cooperation between France and Saudi Arabia, while actively supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The French-Saudi cooperation is diverse, offering great opportunities for French companies, especially in the areas of sustainable cities, energy, healthcare, education, digital economy, hospitality, and tourism sectors”.“The expansion of HOPSCOTCH is in line with our strategy of providing the most creative and innovative communications solutions. The opening of our Riyadh office represents a significant milestone for our Group as we continue to expand our network and influence in the region. As part of our commitment to support Vision 2030, we have been operating in the Middle East, collaborating with high-end clients in Saudi and the GCC on a number of projects,” states Frédéric Bedin, Managing Director and President of the Management Board of Hopscotch Groupe. As part of HOPSCOTCH’s operations in Saudi Arabia, the company has actively participated in the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo (SEA). This global event brought together professionals from around the world in the fields of entertainment and attraction under one roof, creating a unique global experience for like-minded individuals.Pierrick Moizan, Hopscotch’s Middle East Director, said: “The establishment of our new Riyadh office provides us with the opportunity to further support our clients in Saudi and the GCC, enabling their visibility and reputation through fresh, innovative, and tailored communication strategies. As we support our clients in their international growth, we had the pleasure of participating in the Saudi Entertainment and Amusement Expo (SEA). I greatly enjoyed contributing to various influential panels, sharing Hopscotch’s best practices and success stories with industry peers.”Marie-Laure Boulot de Vomecourt has been appointed as Managing Director of Hopscotch Entertainment and Communication. Marie has over 20 years of experience in both France and Saudi Arabia.

Dubai: Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) and NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) announce a joint initiative to make it easier for businesses to build and use generative AI models on-premises to quickly and securely deliver better customer service, market intelligence, enterprise search and a range of other capabilities.Project Helix will deliver a series of full-stack solutions with technical expertise and pre-built tools based on Dell and NVIDIA infrastructure and software. It includes a complete blueprint to help enterprises use their proprietary data and more easily deploy generative AI responsibly and accurately.  “Project Helix gives enterprises purpose-built AI models to more quickly and securely gain value from the immense amounts of data underused today,” said Jeff Clarke, vice chairman and co-chief operating officer, Dell Technologies. “With highly scalable and efficient infrastructure, enterprises can create a new wave of generative AI solutions that can reinvent their industries.”“We are at a historic moment, when incredible advances in generative AI are intersecting with enterprise demand to do more with less,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO, NVIDIA. “With Dell Technologies, we’ve designed extremely scalable, highly efficient infrastructure that enables enterprises to transform their business by securely using their own data to build and operate generative AI applications.”Project Helix simplifies enterprise generative AI deployments with a tested combination of optimized hardware and software, all available from Dell. This delivers the power to convert enterprise data into smarter, higher value outcomes, while maintaining data privacy. These solutions will help companies quickly deploy customized AI applications that drive trusted decisions from their own data to grow and scale their businesses.Blueprint for on-premises generative AI Project Helix will support the complete generative AI lifecycle – from infrastructure provisioning, modeling, training, fine-tuning, application development and deployment, to deploying inference and streamlining results. The validated designs help enterprises quickly build on-premises generative AI infrastructure at scale.Dell PowerEdge servers, such as the PowerEdge XE9680 and PowerEdge R760xa, are optimized to deliver performance for generative AI training and AI inferencing. The combination of Dell servers with NVIDIA® H100 Tensor Core GPUs and NVIDIA Networking form the infrastructure backbone for these workloads. Customers can pair this infrastructure with resilient and scalable unstructured data storage, including Dell PowerScale and Dell ECS Enterprise Object Storage. With all Dell Validated Designs, customers can use the enterprise features of Dell server and storage software, with observability through Dell CloudIQ software. Project Helix also includes NVIDIA AI Enterprise software to provide tools for customers as they move through the AI lifecycle. NVIDIA AI Enterprise includes more than 100 frameworks, pretrained models and development tools such as the NVIDIA NeMo™ large language model framework and NeMo Guardrails software for building topical, safe and secure generative AI chatbots.Project Helix includes security and privacy built into foundational components, such as Secured Component Verification. Protecting data on-premises reduces inherent risk and helps companies meet regulatory requirements. “Companies are eager to explore the opportunities that generative AI tools enable for their organizations, but many aren’t sure how to get started,” said Bob O’Donnell, president and chief analyst, TECHnalysis Research. “By putting together a complete hardware and software solution from trusted brands, Dell Technologies and NVIDIA are offering enterprises a head start to building and refining AI-powered models that can leverage their own company’s unique assets and create powerful, customized tools.”

Dubai, United Arab Emirates,: Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation today announced they are reorganizing their joint research and development (R&D) organization to flexibly respond to the rapidly changing global automotive industry, advance the transition to electrification and accelerate the development of Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs). The new R&D organization will transform from a centralized structure focused on vehicle development to an independent Allianced Tech Organization (ATO).  By establishing an R&D organization that enables the timely development of innovative devices and services, Hyundai Motor and Kia are committed to leading the future mobility market where electrification and software capabilities are the key enablers.  To this end, Hyundai Motor and Kia have grouped together and elevated the areas directly related to vehicle development to enhance new vehicle development and secure quality in mass production. The companies also separated the next-generation innovative technology teams within the existing R&D Division as a stand-alone Tech Unit.  The revamped R&D organization will be led by its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO), with each Total Vehicle Development (TVD) Division, Vehicle SW Tech Unit, and Mobility Engineering and Tech Acceleration (META) Tech Unit, as well as new business and Design Centers being reorganized to have their own development systems.  During this organizational restructure, Executive Vice President Yong Hwa Kim, who has been leading the R&D Division, was promoted to President and named CTO. Kim will oversee the entire R&D organization, while also taking place of Head of Vehicle SW Tech Unit. In addition, Executive Vice President Heui Won Yang, who previously held the position of Head of Total Vehicle Development Tech Unit, was named to the Head of TVD Division, securing continuity in R&D amid the extensive organizational restructuring.  “The new R&D organization will be fast and flexible, operating with the agility of a startup, and will enable us to lead in the rapidly changing mobility landscape,” said President and CTO Yong Hwa Kim. “While the previous organization was focused on the efficient development of vehicles, the new dynamic structure will meet ongoing changes in global consumer demands and expands the organization to deliver aligned solutions in future mobility, electrification, software and robotics.” 

Dubai: Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Colm McLoughlin was named as one of the 100 Images RetailME Icons of Retail at an exclusive celebration and awards gala held on 14th June at the Address Dubai Marina.Organised by Images RetailME, a retail intelligence media brand in the Middle East, the Icons of Retail Awards recognised the outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions of aspirational and transformational retail leaders in the MENA region.Mr. McLoughlin was acknowledged for his visionary leadership that has resulted in Dubai Duty Free's success in retailing for 40 years now.Prior to the evening awards gala, McLoughlin was one of the speakers at the Images RetailME symposium on transformational retail leadership entitled “THINK! I CAN!”. The one-day programme, which focused on the idea of decoding ‘what makes an ICON’, aimed at creating a day of learning for the retail industry and to help create the industry’s next Icons.During his session, where he was interviewed by DXB Today host Katie Overy, McLoughlin talked about his role on Dubai Duty Free’s 40 years of retail success.On receiving the award, McLoughlin said, "I’m deeply honoured and very touched to be named as one of the 100 Icons of Retail in the MENA region. My thanks to Images RetailME team for organising the event and thanks to the jury. As always, my thanks to our Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and to our extraordinary team of employees."As a tribute to all the Icons, a first-of-its-kind ICONS Book was also launched that evening.The ICONS of Retail Yearbook is an initiative to recognise the transformational achievements of MENA’s most powerful retail personalities who have, through their efforts, brought about iconic changes to the domain of retail. The honorees list divided into four segments – the Legacy Makers, the Visionaries, the Trailblazers, and the Disruptors, has been painstakingly compiled following a year-long process of research, analysis, and adjudication. Joining McLoughlin in the list are Patrick Chalhoub, CEO of Chalhoub Group, Renuka Jagtiani, CEO of Landmark Group, M. A. Yusuff Ali, Chairman and Managing Director of LuLu Group International and Toufic Kreidieh, CEO of Brands for Less to name a few.McLoughlin was accompanied by his wife Breeda at the awards gala, along with Salah Tahlak, Joint COO, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Dr. Bernard Creed, SVP – Finance, Michael Schmidt, SVP - Retail and Sharon Beecham, SVP – Purchasing.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: - PwC Middle East has issued its first-ever 2023 Emiratisation Survey, The Retention Riddle: How to keep Emirati talent in the private sector, that explores how the UAE is actualising the country’s national vision mandate of boosting Emirati representation in the private-sector workforce.The survey polled 500 nationals working across the UAE public and private sectors and new graduates emerging into the workplace. It finds that while interest in private-sector employment in the UAE is beginning to increase among the younger generation, nationals often do not stay the course. Two-thirds of those currently working in private companies are considering a return to the public sector.Additionally, one of the salient themes in the survey is that private sector companies must take further action to boost national talent retention to avoid any risk in delivering sustained economic development for the UAE.Khaled Bin Braik, Emiratisation Programme Leader - PwC Middle East, commented, “The Emiratisation survey was conducted to create an impact in both public and private sectors, as well as to support the government and economy. Collectively, we all must play a leading role in helping the UAE achieve its shared vision and continue building a sustainable, prosperous economic future. The time has come for us to work together to deliver the agenda of this ambitious nation.”The survey underpins five key themes as outlined below:The impetus for changeSo far, the UAE economy has heavily relied on expatriate workers, who represent 89% of the population and 92% of the workforce. Emiratis account for just 4% of employees in the private sector today.Driving nationalisation at scaleIn and beyond the GCC, countries are increasingly adopting nationalisation initiatives at scale to enhance the participation of nationals in the labour market, particularly in the private sector. 75,000 is the target number of Emiratis the UAE government aims to be integrated within the UAE private sector by 2026. Active measures include cross-cutting policies, targeted regulations, upskilling initiatives, incentives to employers, and dedicated investments to boost job opportunities and connect labour-market stakeholders.Harnessing growing graduate interest in private-sector workAccording to the survey, over half of participating Emirati graduates said they would likely join the private sector upon completing their studies. Yet, many also perceive barriers to entry.Contrasting perceptions of the public and private sectorsIn the survey, most public and private sector employees reported satisfaction with their overall job experience; more than 8 in 10 are happy with their current learning and development opportunities, and roughly two-thirds believe that there is a clear path for career progression – as well as the existence of a fair and equitable performance management system.Private-sector leaders need to act nowWhile the government continues to be the leading driver of nationalisation in the UAE, the onus is now on private-sector leaders to take up the challenge. That means transitioning from playing a supporting role to a leading one in driving nationalisation. The survey highlights seven steps for retaining nationals in the private sector.With the UAE experiencing globalisation, digital and urban transformation and sustainability are reshaping labour demand; this has created jobs that require new skills while making other employment opportunities and skills obsolete. The Emiratisation Survey 2023 emphasises that understanding and responding to the preconceptions and preferences of Emirati employees are crucial if employers are to break down traditional barriers and secure the strongest appointments long-term.PwC Middle East prioritises nationalisation as a core part of its people strategy, aligning with its purpose of solving client problems and building trust. Since 2012, PwC has launched the "Watani" programme, ensuring UAE national representation across service lines. This Emiratisation initiative, supports national talent at every career stage, offering dedicated programs, client exchanges, and comprehensive training opportunities. As part of PwC Middle East’s New Equation strategy, the firm upskills its workforce, fostering a community of solvers with human-led and tech-powered solutions.

Dubai: Bajaj Allianz Life, one of the leading private life insurer, has announced the opening of its first representative office in Dubai, UAE. The expansion of its presence in the region is in line with the Company’s strategy to deliver on its Customer First promise to its NRI customers based in Dubai and the GCC region.The Company’s representative office will enable any customer to walk-in and experience a seamless customer service journey. Customers with Bajaj Allianz Life’s products, ranging from protection, investments, savings, and retirement, will now find it easier, simpler and faster to resolve their queries and receive any relevant updates. With a sizeable NRI customer base in the GCC region the Company will focus on offering unhindered service with regards the customers policy as well as resolve queries related to fund values and more.Commenting on the Company's international expansion, Mr. Tarun Chugh, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance said, "GCC’s sizable NRI community is of pivotal importance to us, and we are glad to have had the opportunity to be present here through our new office. The Company is geared to offer customers’ a seamless experience and ensure their life goals journey remains on track. With our Customer First focus we bring here empowered teams, latest technologies and contextual innovations to ensure every engagement our NRI customers have with us is a delight. I’m confident that we will continuously invest in this proposition to ensure we remain the preferred life insurer of our NRI customers based here”.The opening of the representative office in Dubai marks an important milestone in Bajaj Allianz Life's growth strategy and demonstrates the Company's commitment to better serving its customers in the Gulf market.

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) announced the GameExpo Summit, a two-day business conference for professionals from the gaming and esports industry. The event will take place on June 21-22 at the South Halls, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City, Dubai.The summit will feature more than 700 attendees, including over 100 industry thought leaders and government officials. There will be keynote speeches, panel discussions, fringe events, and networking sessions. The summit will cover topics such as AI, Web3, the metaverse, global and MENA trends, esports, publishing, and development.Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals & Retail Establishment (DFRE), commented, "We are thrilled to elevate the gametech sector in the UAE, nurturing this growing community and driving investment by bringing together global games professionals to Dubai. The GameExpo Summit is the region's premium games industry and B2B knowledge platform, with a full agenda, attracting professionals from around the world, making it an excellent opportunity for businesses to connect with potential partners from different regions. We are committed to strengthening Dubai’s leadership in gaming and esports, and the industry Summit will act as a regional hub for the sector.”Chris James, CEO of Steel Media (the parent company of the PG Connects B2B events series which is powering the GameExpo Summit), said, “The Middle East is the most dynamic and fastest growing frontier of the games market right now. Add in the fact that Dubai is a great hub for the region, a hot-bed of technological innovation, and an incredible place to visit in its own right, and the concept of having a games event here is obvious! At Steel Media we feel there's an opportunity to grow a meaningful games event in the city, starting this year - which is why we're bringing the best elements of the market-leading PG Connects conference series (www.pgconnects.com) into the Dubai GameExpo Summit.”Attendees can also participate in the Investor Connector matchmaking activity, a networking session to meet with investors from around the globe, and Publisher SpeedMatch, a curated networking opportunity to connect with publishers.

Italy’s premier professional football league, Lega Serie A, today inaugurated its first Middle East and North Africa (MENA) office in Abu Dhabi at a media event that also saw the launch of the brand's strategic vision and plans for the region.The event was hosted by Lega Serie A’s Michele Ciccarese, Commercial and Marketing Director, Anna Guarnerio, International Media Rights Director, Alfonso De Stefano, Managing Director MENA and Omar Al Hakim, Head of Brand Partnerships MENA.The latest international expansion for the Italian league will enable Lega Serie A to broaden its influence across the MENA region, with an emphasis on the GCC and North Africa. The new MENA office – which is located in Yas Creative Hub on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi – will provide a regional base for the league to increase its fan base in the region by building connections with the 53% of the MENA population who have an interest in football.  The Italian league aims to do this with a strategic plan and roadmap that will unlock opportunities for collaboration with local and regional partners; raise the profile of the league’s iconic clubs, such as Juventus, AC Milan, Fc Inter, As Roma, Ssc Napoli and Lazio; and better engage with the region’s Calcio fans through increased investment in grassroots talent, new charitable activities in regional markets, and bespoke content and content partnerships designed for Millennial and Gen Z audiences. "We are very pleased to continue our global expansion project of the 'Calcio’ product and to face new challenges that represent fundamental steps towards the internationalisation of Italian football," Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Lega Serie A, stated. "With our presence and the opening of the new office, our goal is to be closer to fans and longtime supporters in a strategic market like the Middle East. At the same time, we aim to promote a healthy education of the new generations in the values of sports, involving them both on and off the field through projects with digital experiences. Additionally, we are developing entertainment initiatives for fans by localising events of Lega Serie A that will feature the presence of teams, players, and legends. Thanks to our broadcasters and regional partners, Abu Dhabi Media and Starzplay, we will bring football close to the fans for a unique and immersive experience. We are convinced – De Siervo concluded – that through the spread of our product in these areas, many young talents from the Middle East will have the opportunity to regularly play in Serie A."Commenting on the announcement, Alfonso De Stefano, Managing Director MENA of Lega Serie A, said: “The MENA region is a crucial market for us, with a deep passion for football and a growing interest in the Italian game. There are already an estimated 16 million Lega Serie A fans in the region – half of them under the age of 25 – and connecting with this fan base and with the wider audience of football lovers in the region is our top priority. Our new headquarters strengthens our regional presence, giving us direct access to fans, and opening doors to a range of future collaborations with key stakeholders in our sport and beyond.”At the office opening, Lega Serie A also underscored its commitment to establishing grassroots initiatives to encourage and develop local talent, passion and skill in partnership with regional football associations and training academies.Omar Al Hakim, Head of Brand Partnerships MENA of Lega Serie A, said: “Our mission here is not only to promote Lega Serie A, but also to be a catalyst for football development in the MENA region. We are looking to establish relationships and forge partnerships with organisations who share our values to nurture local talent and promote the appreciation for the sport throughout the region.”To build engagement with football fans, particularly its Gen Z audiences, Lega Serie A recently launched a bilingual English and Arabia Snapchat account to host regionally relevant content – the first such account from a global football league with Arabic content for MENA audiences. The league also confirmed that it will announce a number of new initiatives and content partnerships in the coming months.In 2022, Lega Serie A signed a broadcasting partnership with Abu Dhabi Media and Starzplay, which are now exclusively streaming the league’s matches to audiences across 20 countries in the MENA region.

Dubai: Havas Middle East has promoted Naveen Chako Mathews as the General Manager for Havas Media UAE. Mathews, who has been with Havas Media for over nine years in the role of Head of Business, will now oversee all media operations in the UAE and client servicing in his new position. He will also support Havas Media's CEO, Houda Tohme, in expanding the agency's offerings. In a restructuring of responsibilities, Tohme will shift her focus to the Media Group's expansion into new Middle Eastern markets and its operations in Saudi Arabia.Expressing his gratitude for the leadership's trust and encouragement, Naveen Chako Mathews, the newly appointed General Manager, shared his excitement about taking on the role and further evolving the agency's offerings. CEO Houda Tohme praised Mathews' dedication and strategic thinking, highlighting his significant contributions and outstanding results that have played a crucial role in the agency's success.Havas also announced the promotions of Fabio Silveira and Dana Tahir to Managing Directors. Fabio Silveira, who has been with the Havas Group in various markets for over a decade, and Dana Tahir, who joined Havas Middle East in 2008, will continue to develop the business in their new roles.Dany Naaman, CEO of Havas Middle East, expressed confidence in the promoted leaders and their ability to drive growth, enhance the quality of work and services, and execute ambitious growth plans in the region. The agency is also undergoing global changes, including a rebranding of its visual identity, which will be rolled out across all markets, including the Middle East, later this year.

Amman: Today, PepsiCo announced that SmartWTI and Smart Green, start-ups from Jordan, have been chosen to participate in the second cohort of its Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable agriculture. Following a rigorous multi-stage selection process, this year’s cohort brought forward innovative ideas across five key criteria: alignment to PepsiCo’s sustainability strategy – PepsiCo Positive (pep+) – strategic synergy with PepsiCo, scalability, relevance to MENA, and breakthrough potential.Sustainable agriculture takes on special meaning in Jordan, which has no oil resources and a scarce water supply. This raises concerns around food security and creates uncertainty in a region that thrives on long-term planning and predictability. PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program intends to unlock innovative and disruptive agricultural solutions in partnership with purpose-driven start-ups from the region that share PepsiCo’s vision for a more sustainable agriculture and water management system.The six shortlisted companies, SmartWTI, Smart Green, Dooda Solutions, NoorNation, RoboCare and YY ReGen, were selected from over 180 applications across 18 countries. Each of the companies brings a unique level of expertise and innovative solution to the table from all aspects of the agriculture value chain from water preservation to soil cultivation.SmartWTI, an IoT/AI solutions provider from Jordan, specializes in designing and manufacturing water management solutions to enable the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart Green, another Jordanian start-up, provides Agri-tech solutions to agribusinesses for Digital Transformation from traditional agriculture to modern agriculture. These startups have the potential to disrupt the sustainable agriculture industry and make a positive, lasting impact on society.Each will receive an initial grant of $20,000 to support their business and help scale up their innovation, along with guided mentorship from regional subject matter professionals, as well as PepsiCo and Food Tech Valley experts. At the end of the six-month program, one winning company will be awarded an additional $100,000 in funding to continue its expansion and have an opportunity to extend its collaboration with PepsiCo to further expedite its growth.Aamer Sheikh, CEO, Middle East – PepsiCo said, “We are delighted to continue our search for pioneering solutions that help us strengthen the resilience of our food system. This year, we have embarked on a search for transformative direct farming innovations that increase agricultural productivity while conserving our precious natural resources for the next generations. I was impressed with the caliber of the participants in the second cohort, and I am confident that together, we can blaze new trails in sustainable agriculture.”Introduced regionally in 2021, last year’s inaugural program of the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, focused on sustainable packaging and recycling. Two start-ups from Jordan were selected among the 10 shortlisted companies. MEHNA, which aims to find and implement sustainable solutions for the industrial sector and eRecycle Hub which proposes to digitize the scrap-trading business.Amina Mari, CEO, Jordan – MEHNA commented, “Our journey with the first edition of PepsiCo’s Accelerator Program was transformative, equipping us with the essential technical, commercial, financial, and legal skills to propel our start-up forward. With their invaluable guidance and mentorship, we have honed our project development process, identified promising markets and partnerships, and pushed the boundaries of innovation to create sustainable and disruptive solutions. We extend our warmest wishes and support to the next cohort of talented entrepreneurs who are setting out to shape a brighter future.”Recently, the Kingdom of Jordan launched a new water strategy for the years 2023-2040, outlining the government's goals and plans to achieve water security. PepsiCo is committed to an accelerated, sustainable growth agenda in Jordan. It has placed focus on achieving water-use efficiency in operations by implementing best-in-class water-use standards across facilities. Through Jordan Ice & Aerated Water, PepsiCo’s bottling partner in Jordan, the company has invested in watershed health to improve overall ecosystem health and biodiversity, installing six water dams (sand and concrete) and one rainwater collection pond to ensure the watershed is replenished.

Dubai: KAVAK, the emerging market´s leading used car tech platform, has announced the appointment of Nicolas (Nico) Ariza Bagoud as the new General Manager for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.With a remarkable 13-year track record in the e-commerce industry across multiple countries, Nico brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to lead KAVAK's expansion in the GCC market. His appointment further solidifies KAVAK's commitment to delivering a transformative used car experience and setting the standard in the pre-owned car industry.In 2022, Nico became a founding member of KAVAK's international team, focused on expanding the company's presence beyond Latin America. His prior roles in finance and operations made him instrumental in setting up teams, structures, and processes in Turkey, the UAE, and Oman. Nico's exceptional leadership and contributions have led to his appointment as General Manager for KAVAK's operations in the UAE and Oman, further solidifying the company's commitment to growth in the GCC region.Speaking about his new role, Nico said: "I am thrilled to be leading KAVAK’s expansion into the GCC market. KAVAK's innovative approach and commitment to revolutionizing the used car industry align perfectly with my passion for customer-centric strategies. I look forward to working closely with the talented team at KAVAK GCC and driving its future success."“Nico’s deep understanding of the solution we are creating, combined with his international experience and strategic vision, make him the ideal candidate to drive KAVAK’s success in the GCC market,” said Carlos Garcia Ottati, Founder and CEO at KAVAK. “His thirst for innovation and expertise in implementing omnichannel strategies will undoubtedly contribute to KAVAK’s mission of transforming the used car market.”Mexico's first technology unicorn, Kavak was established in 2016 by Carlos Garcia Ottati. It is a popular platform in the used car industries, leveraging technology and data-driven strategies. Kavak has spearheaded the transformation of the pre-owned car market in developing nations. By overseeing every aspect of the process, including thorough inspections, refurbishment, warranties, and post-sales services, Kavak ensures quality and reliability. Its aim is to revolutionise the buying and selling experiences by utilising technology and implementing data and AI-driven financial tools. These tools enable a broader range of users, with varying credit profiles, to access financing options for purchasing a vehicle.Over the past year, KAVAK has achieved significant milestones in the GCC region, demonstrating its dedication to providing top-notch services and meeting the region’s high quality expectations. Highlights from the past year include the opening of its most premium hub worldwide, designed to cater to the Dubai market, as well as the establishment and complete in-housing of its reconditioning facilities. These initiatives have led to the creation of approximately 100 new jobs in the GCC region.KAVAK's Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) in the GCC has also experienced substantial growth, almost tripling over the past twelve months of continuous quarterly growth. With the current infrastructure in place, the GCC is poised for healthy growth, projecting a $150-200 million Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) excluding any additional investment.Looking ahead to the next 12-24 months in the GCC, KAVAK has exciting plans to enhance its market presence. By June 2023, its reconditioning facility will be fully operational, with a capacity to produce up to 1,300 cars per month. Its inventory, currently at 500 cars, is projected to triple within the next 12 months and continue growing to make KAVAK the largest car inventory holder in the region within the next 24 months. Moreover, the company will be tripling the number of jobs created in the GCC by the end of 2025, solidifying its commitment to the local economy.

DUBAI: ?Veeam® Software, the leader in Data Protection and Ransomware Recovery, today announced the appointment of Kacy Hassack as the company’s Chief People and Culture Officer (CPC). Kacy joins Veeam to lead all things people, including attracting and nurturing talent, leadership development, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, employee engagement, and making Veeam the best place to grow careers and enable everyone to bring their best selves to work.Kacy’s career in human resources spans over two decades. Prior to joining Veeam, Kacy has held leadership roles at global-technology organizations, including Indeed, Amazon Web Services, Hewlett Packard, and Dell. With a focus on global growth and scale, she has lived and worked in multiple regions, including the US, Central America, and Asia Pacific, and in each role has been committed to delivering people-first solutions that help businesses meet their goals. “Great businesses start with great people,” said Kacy Hassack, CPC at Veeam. “Veeam has become #1 in data protection and ransomware recovery by delivering incredible customer-focused innovation. People are at the center of the company’s success, and the Veeam culture reflects that. I am so excited to join Veeam and collaborate with teams across the company to develop strategies that emphasize the value of our employees and new approaches to enable our people to do their best work.” “We’re excited to welcome Kacy to Veeam,” said Anand Eswaran, CEO at Veeam. “She combines a strong track record in creating the best outcomes for employees with the business acumen and passion people need. Veeam is the #1 global market leader in data protection and ransomware recovery, thanks to the passion and ability of our incredible 5,000-plus strong team. Our core values and inclusive work environment underpins our exciting growth journey. ‘Humans’ are not a ‘resource’ at Veeam — people are our most important asset.”

Dubai: Gambit Communications has won the accounts for Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Shopping Malls and Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment. Gambit, now the public relations agency for the retail giant, will take charge of communication efforts for both business units in the region.Gambit will oversee the properties of Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, which consist of Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Deira, City Centre Mirdif, City Centre Zahia, and City Centre Bahrain. Additionally, the agency will manage the group's entertainment attractions, including VOX Cinemas, Ski Dubai, Magic Planet, Dreamscape, Snow Oman, and the recently opened Snow Abu Dhabi.This appointment follows a pitch process spanning the last six months.Founder and Managing Director of Gambit Communications, Jamal Al Mawed, expressed his pride in collaborating with the Majid Al Futtaim Group. He acknowledged the significance of these destinations and attractions in the region's national, social, and tourism landscape. Being a local agency, deeply familiar with these malls and attractions from personal experiences, Gambit holds a fundamental understanding of their cultural importance. Al Mawed emphasized the agency's excitement to share their stories with the world.Gambit Communications recently expanded its team with six new hires, as part of a rapid growth phase that includes prominent additions to its portfolio, such as Aramex, Majid Al Futtaim Shopping Malls, and Entertainment.Gambit Communications, an independent communications agency born in Dubai, handles various brands, including TikTok, Acer, BMW, Amazon Payment Services, Porsche, Mandarin Oriental, Aramex, and more.pc:https://unsplash.com/photos/vWchRczcQwM

Dubai: Rain, a leading creative agency, has partnered with Amazon Payment Services to create a brand film that breaks away from the conventional norms of the industry. This collaboration aims to inject emotion, creativity, and enjoyment into B2B advertising, challenging the notion that professionalism means stripping advertising of its human touch.According to The B2B Institute, there is a significant gap in the creative aspects of B2B advertising, often lacking the engaging and captivating elements found in B2C campaigns. Recognizing this untapped potential, Rain set out to create a brand film for Amazon Payment Services that truly stands out amidst the monotonous landscape of digital payments advertising.While competitors in the fintech industry focused on showcasing their technological prowess, Amazon Payment Services, in partnership with Rain, made a strategic decision to prioritize the needs of their customers and demonstrate a deep understanding of what merchants truly expect from a digital payment service provider. By defying category norms and incorporating storytelling into the fintech space, the collaboration aimed to create something truly different and compelling.To bring the story of Amazon Payment Services to life in a captivating manner, Rain opted for a music video format, combining the power of visual storytelling with the universal language of music. Renowned music video director Brandon Hansford, known for his acclaimed work, was enlisted to helm the film, ensuring a high-quality production that resonates with viewers. The collaboration also included the musical expertise of Alaa Wardi, a YouTube sensation with over a million followers, who directed the music for the film.Kalika Tripathi, Head of Marketing, Payments, at Amazon Payment Services, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "One of our biggest communication challenges in this region is adapting to the language nuances in different geographies. And here was a script that spoke a universal language – the language of music. I loved the storytelling too. I knew this is how I wanted to communicate to our audiences about what we, at Amazon Payment Services, are all about."The partnership between Rain and Amazon Payment Services exemplifies a bold and innovative approach to B2B advertising, ushering in a new era where creativity and emotional connection are valued in the corporate landscape. By daring to be different, both companies are setting a new standard for engaging B2B campaigns that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

Dubai: Leo Burnett Middle East has secured the coveted title of Most Effective Agency Office in the world in the 2022 Effie Index, a global ranking of the most effective agencies, marketers and brands. Announced annually, the 2022 Effies Index analysed more than 4,300 winner and finalist entries from Effie Awards competitions across the globe, with Leo Burnett, led by the Dubai office outperforming all regional and global agencies to claim the #1 ranking.Bassel Kakish, CEO of Publicis Groupe ME&T said, “The Middle East has been fast emerging as a powerhouse of creative effectiveness, and we’ve just solidified this to the world. To be ranked #1 is a worthy milestone, but the honour of being able to showcase the calibre of our talent in the global spotlight is immeasurable. This is a shared moment of pride for Publicis Groupe, our trusted clients, and our exceptional talents who continue to raise the bar for the industry.”Adding to this Tahaab Rais, Chief Strategy Officer, Publicis Groupe ME&T said, “Effectiveness is a business imperative for us and a duty towards the brands we partner with. Emerging on top of the Global Effie Index as an agency, as a network and as a holding company from out of the MENA region – a first for Publicis Groupe agencies globally too - is a testament to the efforts over the past one year by our people, our partners, and our clients, collectively. This goes out to all of them. We’ve outcared, outworked and outlasted - not just regionally but also globally, setting another benchmark for our region on the global stage.”Leo Burnett Middle East’s global ranking comes after a strong showing at the MENA Effies last November, where they clinched the night’s top honours with ‘Most Effective Agency Office’ and ‘Most Effective Agency Network’. An impressive number of Effies wins for brand campaigns with brands such as ABAAD, Emirates NBD, Home Box, IKEA, Lebanese Transparency Association, McDonald’s GCC, Project Chaiwala, Samsung, and UN Women, solidified their leading position."There's a beautiful thing about the Effies. They've never been about effectiveness alone. It's a creative effectiveness award. At Leo Burnett, we are our clients' business partners, with our most creative ideas helping solve their business challenges. This accolade is a testament to the in-tandem efforts of our teams and clients over the past year, in the relentless pursuit of creativity that delivers results,” said Kalpesh Patankar, Chief Creative Officer, Leo Burnett Dubai.The Effies Index is considered to be one of the most authoritative rankings of marketing effectiveness. This is the first time an agency under Publicis Groupe globally has claimed a #1 spot on the Effies Index.“No company appears on the Effie Index by chance. To be ranked in the Index demonstrates a relentless commitment to delivering ideas that work, all underpinned by a culture of effectiveness,” said Traci Alford, Global CEO, Effie Worldwide. “On behalf of the entire Effie organisation, congratulations on this well-earned recognition.”

Dubai: Al Futtaim Willis, a leading insurance brokerage firm in the UAE, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kenneth George Maw (Ken Maw), as the company's new Managing Director. With an impressive career spanning close to 40 years in the insurance broking, consultancy, and risk management fields across five continents, Mr. Maw brings extensive industry experience and expertise to his role at Al Futtaim Willis.Prior to joining Al Futtaim Willis, Mr. Maw held esteemed positions in the insurance industry. He served as the CEO of HSBC Insurance Brokers Dubai, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's strategic direction and driving growth. Later, Mr. Maw assumed the role of President & Group CEO at Insure Direct, a company he was a founding partner of, successfully leading the organization through a period of expansion and innovation.As the new Managing Director, Mr. Maw will assume overall responsibility for leading the company's operations, driving business strategy, and fostering strong client relationships. He will work closely with the executive team to further strengthen Al Futtaim Willis' position as a trusted partner in the insurance industry.In light of this appointment, the company would also like to express its deep respect and gratitude to the outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Rajendran M. Mr. Rajendran has served Al Futtaim Willis Insurance Brokers with dedication and expertise for the past 10 years, contributing significantly to the company's success and growth. His contributions and leadership will be fondly remembered and valued.Al Futtaim Willis Insurance Brokers looks forward to embarking on a new chapter under the leadership of Mr. Ken Maw. His appointment represents a significant milestone for the company, and his deep industry knowledge and global experience will undoubtedly contribute to its continued success.

Riyadh: Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today announced the appointment of Retired Brigadier General Abdullah Alajmi as the company’s new Space Business Development Director for Saudi Arabia. Alajmi assumes the position based in Riyadh, where he will coordinate and support the Kingdom’s space efforts, while strategically amplifying Lockheed Martin’s presence in the region.In alignment with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals, Alajmi's new role involves strengthening partnerships with government and commercial entities to foster the development of groundbreaking technologies – all of which seek to enhance national capabilities and bolster the burgeoning space industry in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Alajmi will help oversee the facilitation of scientific experiments and international research collaborations, as well as the administration of future space-related missions.“With his vast armed forces and aerospace experience, Abdullah will certainly augment the Kingdom’s strategic initiatives in this exciting and emerging field,” said Joseph Rank, Lockheed Martin’s chief executive for Saudi Arabia and Africa. “We are incredibly fortunate to have him on board and look forward to seeing him soar as a valued leader within Lockheed Martin’s space division.”“I am honored to join Lockheed Martin as its Space Business Development Director for Saudi Arabia. Together, we will work towards positioning the Kingdom as a key leader in space exploration and innovation,” said Abdullah Alajmi.Prior to joining Lockheed Martin, Alajmi served in the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) for Remote Sensing and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Space domains. He has also served as the Satellite Directorate Director for the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense and participated in several space committees facilitated by the Kingdom and the Gulf Cooperation Council for almost two decades. Alajmi holds a Master’s Degree in Science and the Military Use of Remote Sensing, from Oklahoma State University.

Qatar: In line with its expansion plans in Qatar and its commitment to support the country’s digital transformation, ICT ecosystem, and digital economy, Huawei today opened a new state-of-the-art Qatar office in the UDC tower, The Pearl Island, Qatar.The new 4,000 SQM office will house Huawei’s main Qatar operation team and will help meet the future needs of the company’s growing workforce. The move reaffirms Huawei’s long-term commitment to Qatar and is a milestone in the company expansion plan targeted at enhancing its presence, activities, offerings and contributions to the Qatar market to achieve its mandate to play a key role in achieving the country’s digital transformation goals.The new office inauguration was attended by His Excellency Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and senior representatives from the Investment Promotion Agency of Qatar (IPA Qatar), United Development Company (UDC), Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the State of Qatar and Huawei management team led by Mr. Steven Yi, President, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia.Commenting on Huawei’s new office opening, H.E. Mr. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai said: “Huawei is considered one of our important partners and is among the top leading companies in the field of information and communication technology. I am pleased to welcome Huawei's new expansion in Qatar. There is no doubt that this will contribute to enhancing digital innovation and creating new digital opportunities in the Qatari market.”Mr. Steven Yi, President, Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, said: “Today’s new office opening is a commitment to our future in Qatar. We are proud of our history in the country and Huawei will continue to support Qatar’s digital transformation through its cutting-edge technology solutions. I look forward to welcoming customers, partners, visitors and Huawei team members to our new office. I am confident that this expansion will drive further recruitment of elite talent who will take the lead in achieving the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, towards a leading sustainable digital society.”Huawei’s new office will host the company’s business operations, including Carrier Networks, Enterprise, Consumer, Cloud, and Digital Power. In addition, the new office will play a critical role in managing the company’s CSR programs and initiatives in Qatar, such as Huawei’s flagship program, Seeds for the Future, ICT Competition, and ICT Academy. The new office will also host an exhibition center that will function as an executive briefing center, showcasing many of the company’s products, solutions, and advanced technologies in the ICT industry.  With a seafront and Qatar skyline view, Huawei’s new office has broad and open collaborative areas with natural light and beautiful landscapes. Following the curves that were inspired by the ocean waves, spaces were created to hold meetings and demonstrate Huawei’s industry-leading technologies to clients.United Development Company (UDC), the master developer of The Pearl Island and Gewan Island, signed an agreement last year with Huawei to boost the smart city characteristics by designing and integrating innovative solutions at The Pearl Island. Last year, at Milipol Qatar 2022, UDC extended its partnership with Huawei to deploy its smart campus system at the new UDC development at Gewan Island.Huawei has been operating in the Qatari market since 2003 and currently works with both telecom providers – Ooredoo and Vodafone Qatar – serving approximately two million people in the country. Huawei is also actively cultivating local ICT talents to contribute to Qatar’s ICT ecosystem. Huawei expanded its STEM and education initiatives last year through its flagship CSR program, ‘Seeds for the Future’, Huawei ICT Competition, and Huawei ICT Academy to further support the country’s core focus on innovation.

Dubai:  KPMG Lower Gulf has announced the launch of the Generative AI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the UAE in collaboration with Microsoft to develop, manage and deploy AI strategy and governance, best practices, training, and solutions that will enable digital transformation for government organizations and businesses. The initiative is aimed to strengthen AI usage, and comes on the heels of the launch of a comprehensive guide by the UAE Government on generative AI applications, like Azure OpenAI Service and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.Fady Kassatly, Partner and Head of Digital and Innovation at KPMG Lower Gulf, said: “To complement the UAE government’s efforts in promoting the adoption of AI technologies across various fields, KPMG will bring its global functional and industry expertise and innovation capabilities to assist organizations in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of AI through our pioneering Centre of Excellence. This hub will provide a solid foundation of governance and framework for ethical implementations of AI, including AI-readiness assessment, pilots, strategy, deployment, and training. Organizations will also be exposed to a team of skilled and well-versed experts in Generative AI who will enable them to stay ahead of the curve and ensure maximum return on investment.”KPMG becomes one of the first organizations in the UAE collaborating with Microsoft to establish a Generative AI Centre of Excellence, delivering enterprise grade AI solutions and services.Naim Yazbeck, General Manager at Microsoft UAE added: “The continual developments in Generative AI are opening up new possibilities for various industries. We are pleased to work with KPMG on this initiative and contribute knowledge and technology including Azure OpenAI Service. The CoE in the UAE will empower regional governments and businesses to build new pathways and adopt AI in a secure and ethical manner. Equally, it will help organizations make informed decisions, and enhance their business competitiveness.”The CoE will be at the forefront of helping set up AI policies and standards and will accelerate the adoption of Generative AI using ethical practices and reference architecture in the UAE and the wider region. It will assess and evaluate the potential applications for Generative AI in an organization. It will also enhance collaboration between different business units to identify and experiment with real business use-cases to create standardized Generative AI adoption and drive implementation.Generative AI has a tremendous range of business use cases applicable within an organization from HR, finance, supply chain, procurement, to sales and marketing. KPMG is also implementing multiple Generative AI use cases internally, in order to immerse and upskill its people in understanding the power of the technology and leverage it to increase productivity and gain efficiency.The CoE will support the UAE’s digital ambitions and empower organizations to effectively harness AI solutions and drive desired business outcomes. Organizations can test and validate their business use-cases by building prototypes and minimum viable products (MVPs) before going into production, and will benefit enormously from a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and collaboration at the CoE hub.

Dubai: The Middle East is rapidly advancing to shape the future of gaming and esports, with unprecedented government investments. Over $3 billion was invested in the industry by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022, as part of a much larger $38 billion commitment by PIF to be used by its company Savvy Games Group (SGG). Multiple acquisitions in gaming (Embracer Group, Scopely) and esports (ESL, FACEIT, VSPO) have already been executed. Additionally, Abu Dhabi Gaming has created a dedicated gaming and esports hub with strong incentives.BCG's latest gaming report titled 'Game Changer: Accelerating the Media Industry’s Most Dynamic Sector', highlights that more than 60% of the population in the Middle East are gaming enthusiasts, resulting in one of the highest shares of gaming mobile app downloads (50% compared to the global average of 40%). This explains why the region has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the gaming sector, with Saudi Arabia recently announcing its gaming and esports strategy, and the UAE creating two gaming centers to attract global companies.Dr. Alexander Schudey, Managing Director & Partner at BCG, said, "The Middle East is a key player in the global gaming industry, with an impressive penetration rate and a strong commitment from governments to invest in the sector. The region's focus on gaming and the establishment of dedicated gaming hubs makes it an attractive destination for global gaming companies. The young and digitally savvy population, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where 70% of the population is below the age of 30, combined with higher disposable incomes and a preference for indoor activities due to the hot weather, further contribute to the region's thriving gaming ecosystem."A strong indication of Middle East populations towards gaming is strong growth of game streaming at 24.5% CAGR, which is on path to reach approximately 200 million users in 2025, according to Boston Consulting Group's latest gaming report. The region's growth is three times faster compared to China, the current leader, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.5% versus 7.6%.Pavel Kasperovich, Principal at BCG, commented, "The Middle East's gaming market is diverse, with both casual and core gamers contributing to its growth. The region's focus on mobile gaming and the continued popularity of console and PC games demonstrate its adaptability and potential for further expansion. The significant government commitment, such as Saudi Arabia's $38 billion investment in gaming companies and Abu Dhabi's attractive incentives for gaming businesses, highlights the region's dedication to fostering a thriving gaming industry. Furthermore, the potential for gaming and esports to enhance the tourism sector in the UAE and Saudi Arabia presents a unique opportunity to market these experiences to a global audience."BCG's gaming report identifies four major trends that will likely have the largest impact on the industry's future:1. Audience growth and demographic shifts: Gaming industry growth is broadening demographically. Gen Y, who grew up playing video games, is entering their 30s with average gamer age at 31. However, children and youth still drive audience growth. Gen Z is the first generation to play as much as watch videos, leading gaming to surpass other forms of entertainment in numbers and time spent in the future.2. Innovation from players: In the gaming market, innovation takes a unique path compared to other media segments, with consumer communities playing a significant role in driving change. Today, platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are making it easier for users to generate content and innovate within games, as evidenced by the Squid Game-inspired game on Roblox and advancements in game engine technology by Epic (Unreal) and Unity. Moreover, publishers are quick to adopt and commercialize user-driven innovations, such as incorporating MOBA features into first-person shooter games like Activision-Blizzard's Overwatch. This trend of consumer-driven innovation is expected to continue, particularly with platforms that facilitate game development and creativity for gamers.3. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) activity: The gaming industry is witnessing a surge in consolidation as major publishers, media companies, and technology firms acquire studios and gaming-related assets globally. Over 650 gaming M&A or investment deals were announced or closed in the first half of 2022, with top players controlling more than 70% of the market. These companies pursue two main M&A strategies: consolidation of game development and extension of internal capabilities. Consolidation helps achieve economies of scale, support rising development costs, and facilitate experimentation with new intellectual properties. Meanwhile, extending internal capabilities allows publishers to access cutting-edge technologies in areas like in-game advertising and motion tracking, enhancing the gaming experience and boosting revenue streams.4. New use cases: The gaming industry witnessed the emergence of the metaverse as a groundbreaking concept that is revolutionizing digital experiences. Gaming, as a pioneer in this field, laid the foundations for the metaverse long before its widespread adoption. It introduced key elements that now define this immersive virtual world. Today, gaming not only serves as the core use case to attract people to the metaverse but also plays a vital role as a contributor from a technological perspective. Cutting-edge advancements in game engines, motion tracking, and other technologies have seamlessly integrated with the metaverse, enhancing its capabilities, and pushing the boundaries of what is achievable.As the Middle East continues to emerge as a gaming powerhouse, the region's commitment to innovation, investment, and audience engagement will play a significant role in shaping the future of the global gaming industry.

DUBAI: More than three out of four IT leaders surveyed in the UAE (77%) say their existing IT infrastructure is prepared for the demands of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, as the country experiences widespread adoption across industries, according to the Equinix 2023 Global Tech Trends Survey. The UAE scored higher than other countries in preparedness to accommodate AI, with only 58% of global and 51% of EMEA IT leaders believing their infrastructure is prepared for AI.The survey, which examined IT leaders’ responses to AI advances in their organizations, comes after a year of significant AI breakthroughs that saw the technology rapidly deployed in applications across both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer sectors.“Tech leaders globally are expediting AI’s integration into their organizations, and it is increasingly becoming a critical capability to enable intelligent and autonomous systems that power a modern business. Those who fail to maximize its use could fall behind,” said Kaladhar Voruganti, Senior Technologist at Equinix.Equinix’s global survey of 2,900 IT decision-makers confirmed AI uptake is on the rise across all industry sectors, with 85% of respondents worldwide seeking to benefit from the advantages of AI and already using or planning to use it across multiple key functions. In the UAE, organizations are most likely to be using AI, or planning to do so, in IT operations (97%), followed by cybersecurity (95%), and sales (95%).“Successful development of accurate AI models depends upon secure and high-speed access to both internal and external data sources that can be spread across multiple clouds and data brokers,” added Voruganti. “For example, as enterprises embark on creating their own private generative AI solutions, they may want to process their confidential data at a private and secure location with high-speed access to external data sources and AI models. Furthermore, we are entering an era where more data is being generated at the edge. Hence, AI processing has to move to the edge for performance, privacy and cost reasons. In order to satisfy the above requirements, tech leaders can implement hybrid solutions where AI model training and model inference can occur at different locations. Ultimately, to create scalable AI solutions, businesses must consider whether their IT frameworks can accommodate the required data ingestion, sharing, storage and processing of massive and diverse data sets, while keeping sustainability in mind.”“It is interesting to note that UAE businesses are more comfortable with accommodating AI’s growing use compared to global averages. AI is being used across diverse business functions in the country from IT Operations to customer experience, and marketing. This result is testament to the country’s visionary leadership which first launched its Artificial Intelligence Strategy in 2017, aiming to be the world leader in AI by 2031.” said Kamel Al-Tawil, Managing Director, Equinix MENA."At Equinix, we have designed our AI strategy to enable our customers to capitalize on the immense potential of AI, leveraging its predictive and analytical capabilities to drive innovation, enhance end user experiences, and optimize operations. As we witness increased AI-driven innovation in the UAE, we are well positioned to support local businesses with the right digital infrastructure.”IT leaders in EMEA had the most uncertainty about the ability of their infrastructure to accommodate the needs of AI (49%), compared to leaders in Asia-Pacific (44%) and the Americas (32%).In addition to digital infrastructure updates, the survey also highlighted the need for education and collaboration to enable IT teams to optimize the deployment of this infrastructure, with AI and machine learning expertise being sought by 52% of those growing their IT teams.

Dubai:  In line with its continuous commitment to supporting local businesses and Small to Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Amazon hosted an Emirati Businesses Workshop this week in Dubai. Supporting Emirati businesses scale online successfully as they navigate today’s digital economy, the interactive session provided knowledge and guidance on how to best leverage Amazon’s capabilities, tools, services, and programs to reach millions of Amazon customers while accelerating growth.The workshop was attended by key government and SME support entities from the Ministry of Economy, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Sandooq Al Watan, as well as the in5 accelerator.Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East and North Africa (MENA), said: "At Amazon, supporting local businesses and SMEs is not just a priority for us; it is a fundamental part of our work and an embodiment of our customer-centric culture. Aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, we aim to grow the number of businesses and local SMEs that sell on Amazon.ae from 50,000 to 100,000 by 2026, which is why strategic initiatives of this nature are of core importance. We are proud to be able to contribute to the UAE’s ambitious plans as we strive to support the country’s thriving landscape.”Zeina El Kaissi, Director of Public Policy for Amazon MENA, added: “In every milestone of Amazon’s growth in the UAE, our government stakeholders are present and supportive. We are proud of this latest collaboration with them in support of Emirati SMEs, and are pleased to have hosted them in the workshop to hear first-hand from local businesses and entrepreneurs”.Emirati businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, attended the workshop, with sessions led by a team of Amazon experts who provided valuable insights into the advantages of selling on Amazon, and outlined the key steps to becoming a successful seller. Additionally, workshops were held to discuss fulfillment and logistics solutions, growth programs, and tools for brand building.Manea Al-Kaabi, CEO of Emirates Beekepers, said: “We sincerely thank Amazon for organizing the workshop for sellers in the UAE. Their remarkable efforts in providing us with important information and instructions were truly commendable. The presence of Amazon’s dedicated teams from the marketing and registration departments, offering us unwavering assistance, has earned my utmost admiration and appreciation. The opportunity to sell my products on Amazon is truly a game-changer for me. It is a significant leap forward in my journey towards rapid and professional globalization. I look forward to more workshops from Amazon catered to business owners in the UAE, as they have proven to be invaluable learning experiences."The majority of products sold on Amazon.ae comes from third-party sellers, most of which are SMEs. Over the years Amazon has progressively launched tools to help local businesses reach their full potential, such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) – a service that allows businesses to outsource order fulfillment to Amazon, whereby Amazon fulfillment specialists receive inventory and store products in order to pick, pack, and ship the order to customers with free and fast delivery options.Businesses can visit https://sell.amazon.ae/ for more information on how to set-up a selling partner account if they are new to Amazon, or learn more about ways to optimize their business’ performance if they are currently selling on Amazon.ae.Extra quotes:Jasmin Frick, Director of Seller Success at Amazon MENA, added: “We are thrilled to have met some of the UAE’s most innovative businesses and budding SMEs as they came together during the workshop. We continuously work to empower local businesses to accelerate their performance, and fuel the UAE’s growth. We will continue to support local businesses and SMEs successfully grow by connecting them with customers on Amazon.ae, and providing logistics solutions such as Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Our Global Registration Program on Amazon.ae also makes it easier and more seamless for local sellers to have access to sell on Amazon stores globally, reaching hundreds of millions of worldwide active customer accounts.”Rahma Al Muhairbi, Founder of Bahara, said: “I am deeply grateful to Amazon for organizing a workshop dedicated to supporting business owners in the UAE, and I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire team for their unwavering commitment and valuable time devoted to us. The workshop has proved vey beneficial, especially due to the presence of a knowledgeable team that is fully aware of Amazon’s procedures, providing clear and practical explanations that surpass what we can find online.”She added, "I would like to express my gratitude to Amazon for offering this unique opportunity to attend and participate in a workshop that delivered an abundance of useful information. We hope to future workshops on a large scale be organized, encompassing a greater number of business owners in the UAE.”