Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
ITHCA Group has signed a strategic investment agreement with US-based Lumotive to strengthen Oman’s position as a hub for semiconductor industries. The partnership aims to establish a center of excellence for Omani semiconductor designers, fostering research, skills development, and knowledge transfer to regional and global markets.
The GSMA has urged the Pakistani government to reduce taxes and fees on the telecom sector in the 2025-26 budget. This would make mobile services more affordable, especially for low-income users, and allow operators to invest in network expansion and next-gen technologies, addressing Pakistan’s mobile internet adoption gap.
Malaysia has become the world’s ninth-largest exporter of high-tech products in 2023, with a record high of $127 billion in high-tech exports. This performance, representing 59% of total manufacturing exports, is the country’s strongest in the past decade. Malaysia also achieved its highest trade surplus in ten years.
SDAIA has enhanced 11 international airports with advanced technology under the Makkah Route Initiative for 2025. This initiative uses AI and biometric registration to streamline pilgrims’ travel experience, ensuring smooth and efficient procedures. The upgrades align with Saudi Vision 2030’s Pilgrim Experience Program to improve Hajj services.
The 2025 Bangladesh Technical Seminar, hosted by Ohyoung Inc. and TeXco Tech, focused on sustainable dyeing innovations for Bangladesh’s textile industry. The event highlighted key collaborations between South Korea and Bangladesh, emphasizing sustainability, process optimization, and global competitiveness. It marked a significant step toward eco-friendly textile production in the country.
IDEMIA and the Technology Control Company (TCC) have signed an MoU to enhance Saudi Arabia’s travel, transport, and smart city solutions. The collaboration focuses on AI-driven biometrics, smart city initiatives, and training in biometric technologies, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 and improving security, efficiency, and passenger experience.
TSMC has announced plans for its 1.4 nm chip technology, set to improve power handling by 30% and performance by 15%, offering 60% greater efficiency than current 3 nm chips. The technology, expected to enter production in 2028, will power future products from Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and others.
Tencent has expressed interest in entering the Bangladeshi market, with plans to collaborate on growing the local gaming and digital sectors. The company, known for its global gaming influence and services like cloud computing, aims to partner with local players to contribute to the country’s digital economy and GDP growth.
Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce has launched an initiative to support industrial and technological clusters for 2025, offering government-backed funding. This program is aimed at enhancing collaboration among companies, startups, research centers, and educational institutions. The initiative seeks to foster innovation and economic growth in Morocco’s industrial and tech sectors.
Saudi Aramco and BYD have signed a joint development agreement to advance new energy vehicle (NEV) technologies. The partnership will leverage both companies’ R&D capabilities to foster breakthroughs in the sector, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision for 30% electrification by 2030 and supporting sustainable transportation innovations.