Sabic reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable growth at the Boao Forum for Asia 2025, emphasizing the importance of innovation, collaboration, and cross-regional partnerships. The company highlighted its investments in China, including a new petrochemical complex and plans for an engineering thermoplastics plant, and discussed the chemical industry’s role in the energy transition.
Nepal’s smartphone imports have decreased in volume but increased in value, with 1.1 million units imported in the past six months, valued at Rs. 16.71 billion. This shift reflects growing consumer interest in higher-end smartphones, such as the Samsung S24, as users upgrade to more advanced models with AI support.
The Telecom Operators Association has requested tax exemptions and reforms in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2025-26. Key demands include withholding tax exemptions, adjustments to income tax rates, and tax relief for telecom employees to ensure sustainable growth and improve the business environment in the telecom sector.
Bahrain National Holding (BNH) has partnered with TCS to deploy Bancs for Insurance as part of its transformation strategy. The new system will streamline BNH’s operations, reduce complexities, and boost digital adoption, supporting its non-life, health, and life insurance services across the country.
Middle Eastern companies are driving smarter trade through digital solutions. Oman’s IGC launched a Gas Applications Portal to streamline natural gas requests, while Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group partnered with Indra Group to develop smart port solutions, digitalising logistics and trade operations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
EDGE LIF, in partnership with QuantaSim, is launching an innovative engineering bootcamp aimed at empowering local talent. The nine-month program focuses on upskilling engineers in aerospace and defence sectors, providing practical training in various disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and control systems, fostering innovation and hands-on experience.
Gulf Warehousing Company (GWC) has partnered with Huawei to enhance the delivery efficiency of Huawei’s e-commerce store in Qatar. This collaboration will leverage GWC’s logistics expertise to offer improved last-mile solutions, ensuring fast, secure, and convenient delivery for customers. The partnership aims to elevate the online shopping experience.
Etisalat has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene in the stalled merger between Ufone and Telenor Pakistan. Despite submitting required legal documentation, the Competition Commission of Pakistan has not made a decision, causing financial losses and delays in development. Etisalat urges swift government action to resolve the issue.
Pakistan and Denmark are enhancing bilateral trade and investment with key initiatives, including the development of a green deep-water terminal and collaboration in the agricultural sector. Minister Khan’s upcoming visit to Denmark and the EU Business Forum in Islamabad further aim to strengthen ties and drive economic prosperity between the two nations.
Data monetization offers organizations a way to transform their data into economic value through direct or indirect strategies. As the global market grows, Saudi Arabia and other regions are investing in data technologies to optimize business processes, overcome challenges like data quality, and create new revenue streams.
