HUMAIN, a global artificial-intelligence company backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and provider of full-stack AI capabilities, together with EY MENA, a leading professional-services firm, today announced their ambition to integrate EY’s business-AI solutions into HUMAIN ONE — HUMAIN’s agentic-AI platform powered by the Arabic large language model ALLAM. EY+1

Under this collaboration, EY will explore how its proprietary AI assets — spanning human resources, tax, accounting, governance and corporate development — can be redeployed as «intelligent agents» within HUMAIN ONE. By embedding EY’s innovations atop ALLAM, the initiative aims to deliver transformative solutions to both public- and private-sector organisations in Saudi Arabia and, eventually, globally. EY+1

Key Focus Areas

The initial phase of the partnership will focus on six critical corporate functions:

• Human Resources: AI-driven recruitment, background checks and skills development (via EY Skills Foundry). EY

• Tax & Zakat: Automated and compliant filings using EY’s AI Tax Factory. EY

• Accounting & Audit: Streamlined oversight with EY’s Virtual Internal Auditor. EY

• Risk Management & Governance: AI-powered KYC and compliance processes. EY

• Corporate Development: Smarter M&A strategy, transactions and valuations through EY Competitive Edge and Transaction Diligence AI Agents. EY

• Financial Due Diligence & Valuation: Accelerated reviews of financial statements using AI-assisted analytics. EY

Strategic Rationale

The collaboration stems from a shifting enterprise landscape where “agentic AI” — characterised by autonomous, multi-step, decision-capable systems — is becoming central to business transformation. According to the press release, businesses and governments are moving beyond static chatbots toward intelligent agents able to execute complex processes in real time. EY

EY brings to the partnership its global footprint (spanning over 150 countries), deep sectoral expertise and an extensive suite of AI-enabled business platforms. Combined with HUMAIN’s ALLAM model and full-stack infrastructure, the alliance seeks to accelerate the transition of organisations from legacy workflows to AI-first operations. EY

Implications for Clients and Markets

For governments and large enterprises, the partnership offers a blueprint for next-generation digital transformation: more intelligent operational workflows, enhanced compliance, faster decision-making and deeper use of data-driven insights. The focus on the Middle East — particularly Saudi Arabia — aligns with regional ambitions around AI, localisation of model development and economic diversification under Vision 2030.

For EY’s clients globally, the integration into HUMAIN ONE promises access to a powerful combination of enterprise services and agentic AI capabilities. This may reshape how HR, finance, tax, audit and corporate-development functions are organised and automated.

For HUMAIN, the deal bolsters its platform proposition as a world-class AI ecosystem capable of serving enterprise-grade functions beyond the region, leveraging EY’s credibility and reach.

Challenges & Considerations

The partnership is ambitious and comes with execution risks:

• Deploying agentic AI across functions like tax, audit and governance demands rigorous data governance, regulatory compliance and change-management.

• Embedding an Arabic-centric large-language model (ALLAM) into global operations requires adaptation for varied languages, jurisdictions and enterprise contexts.

• Scaling across diverse markets means navigating regulatory frameworks, privacy regimes and ethical-AI standards in multiple jurisdictions.

• Measuring ROI and adoption in deeply traditional enterprise functions may take longer than typical tech roll-outs, requiring long-term commitment.

What to Watch

In the coming months, stakeholders will track:

• Pilot roll-outs and client case studies showing tangible impact (e.g., audit cycle time reductions, tax-filing automation gains, HR recruitment speed improvements).

• Expansion of the collaboration beyond initial focus countries and functions, indicating move from piloting to global scaling.

• Interplay with other AI models and platforms, and how the HUMAIN-EY alliance competes or integrates within broader AI-ecosystem partnerships.

• Adoption of governance and ethical frameworks to ensure responsible use of agentic AI across functions and jurisdictions.

Conclusion

The HUMAIN-EY partnership represents a major strategic step in the evolution of enterprise transformation — from automation and analytics to fully agentic AI. By combining HUMAIN’s Arabic-language model and platform infrastructure with EY’s business-AI solutions and global services footprint, the alliance aims to redefine how organisations operate, govern and grow in an AI-first future.

Amazon has officially expanded its low-cost e-commerce service, known as Amazon Bazaar, to 14 additional countries, marking a major strategic step in its global retail expansion and a direct challenge to Chinese fast-fashion giants Shein and Temu. The initiative positions Amazon to compete in the fastest-growing segment of global e-commerce: ultra-affordable shopping driven by mobile apps, algorithmic discovery, and cross-border logistics. (Reuters)

Amazon Bazaar—branded as Amazon Haul in the U.S.—was initially piloted in Mexico in 2024, offering thousands of low-priced products shipped directly from warehouses and partner suppliers. Following the pilot’s success, Amazon confirmed a major rollout across markets including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Nigeria, and Thailand, among others.

The company says the service aims to “bring affordable everyday products to customers worldwide” while maintaining the quality and reliability associated with the Amazon brand.

Competing Head-to-Head with Shein and Temu

Amazon’s global expansion of Bazaar represents a strategic counter-move against emerging competitors that have dominated the low-cost e-commerce ecosystem. Shein and Temu—both Chinese platforms—have captured massive market share through ultra-cheap pricing, social-media-driven virality, and direct-from-factory fulfillment models.

While Amazon’s traditional marketplace targets mid- to premium-range shoppers, Bazaar focuses squarely on value-driven consumers, offering products under $10, with some listings starting at just $2. Categories include clothing, accessories, beauty, home essentials, phone cases, and novelty items—mirroring the product mix popularised by Temu’s gamified shopping experience. (Reuters)

Industry analysts interpret the launch as Amazon’s most aggressive push yet into the discount-retail segment, signaling that the company no longer intends to cede that space to Asian challengers.

“Amazon only enters a category when it sees long-term profitability and scalability. This move shows it’s serious about taking on low-price rivals in emerging markets,” said Gil Luria, analyst at D.A. Davidson. (Reuters)

A Data-Driven Approach to Affordability

Unlike Shein and Temu, which rely on Chinese factory networks and third-party logistics, Amazon Bazaar leverages the company’s own global fulfillment infrastructure. Orders placed through the service are processed through existing Amazon logistics centers, giving the company greater control over shipping times, tracking accuracy, and returns.

The service also integrates tightly with Amazon Prime delivery channels, allowing customers in select regions to benefit from faster shipping options even for budget items—a unique advantage over cross-border rivals that depend on slower shipping methods.

Amazon has not disclosed pricing for sellers, but early reports suggest commission rates lower than those on the main marketplace, intended to encourage participation by small manufacturers and value-tier merchants.

The company’s internal algorithmic pricing engine—already used across its main retail operation—will reportedly be optimized for Bazaar, ensuring competitive parity with fast-fashion and discount rivals on a real-time basis.

Expanding Access in Emerging Markets

The decision to expand the Bazaar model globally also reflects Amazon’s growing focus on emerging markets, where cost sensitivity and mobile-first shopping dominate consumer behavior.

Regions like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa have seen exponential growth in online retail adoption post-pandemic, driven by rising smartphone penetration and digital-payment infrastructure. Amazon’s expansion into these markets via Bazaar gives it access to new audiences who may not have previously considered Amazon due to higher average pricing.

In the Gulf region, the rollout aligns with broader trends in cross-border e-commerce. Platforms such as Noon, Namshi, and Trendyol are expanding rapidly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, while Chinese players Temu and Shein have surged in popularity through aggressive price discounts and influencer campaigns.

By introducing a low-cost service that still carries the Amazon reliability and logistics advantage, the company hopes to capture a larger share of this fast-growing market segment.

Impact on Amazon’s Global Strategy

Financial analysts suggest that the Bazaar expansion dovetails with Amazon’s ongoing strategy to diversify its revenue streams while defending its e-commerce dominance.

In Q3 2025, Amazon’s international sales reached $40.9 billion, up 10 percent year-on-year (excluding currency fluctuations). Although margins remain thin in global retail, the company’s growing logistics network and AI-driven supply-chain optimization have reduced delivery costs, creating room to target lower-price tiers. (Reuters)

Furthermore, the expansion helps Amazon gather critical consumer data in emerging economies—feeding its long-term plans for advertising, payments, and logistics services. By onboarding millions of first-time online shoppers via Bazaar, Amazon can nurture loyalty and cross-sell higher-margin services like Prime Video, Audible, or Amazon Pay.

Challenges Ahead

While the move strengthens Amazon’s global presence, it also introduces several strategic challenges:

1. Margin Pressure: Competing on price with Shein and Temu—both of which operate on ultra-lean cost structures—could erode Amazon’s profitability.

2. Supply Chain Complexity: Managing millions of low-priced SKUs requires tight logistics and quality control to avoid counterfeit or defective goods.

3. Regulatory Scrutiny: Governments worldwide are increasing oversight of cross-border e-commerce, especially regarding taxes, data privacy, and product safety.

4. Brand Dilution Risks: Positioning Amazon simultaneously as a premium and low-cost marketplace could confuse consumers if not clearly differentiated.

Despite these hurdles, experts believe Amazon’s ability to combine its brand trust, logistics infrastructure, and AI-driven operations gives it an edge over competitors reliant on external supply chains.

Industry Reactions

Retail analysts have described the expansion as “Amazon’s answer to Temu.”

“Temu grew exponentially by offering consumers the thrill of discovery at low prices,” said retail consultant Jane Hsu of Retail Economics Asia. “Amazon’s approach is more structured but could be more sustainable—especially in markets with strong trust in its logistics reliability.”

In addition, merchants see potential for new growth opportunities. Local sellers in regions like the Philippines and UAE can now list budget items for international sale without building separate infrastructure, effectively becoming micro-exporters under Amazon’s umbrella.

The Road Ahead

The success of Amazon Bazaar’s global expansion will depend on several key factors:

• How quickly the company can onboard sellers and maintain inventory freshness.

• Whether shipping and delivery times can remain competitive with Shein’s and Temu’s direct-from-China models.

• The extent to which consumers in emerging markets perceive Amazon’s “budget” tier as credible and appealing.

• Integration with other Amazon verticals—like Prime, ads, and logistics—which could improve long-term monetization.

If executed effectively, Bazaar could mark the beginning of Amazon’s next growth phase—a move from being a global marketplace for everything to being a global marketplace for everyone.

Conclusion

With Amazon Bazaar, the retail giant is signaling a bold commitment to inclusive commerce—making affordability and accessibility key pillars of its next decade of growth. The rollout challenges Chinese fast-fashion dominance and highlights how global e-commerce is fragmenting into price tiers rather than geographies.

As Amazon scales its ultra-low-cost offering across continents, the competition for the world’s budget-conscious consumers is set to intensify—ushering in a new chapter in the battle for e-commerce supremacy.

Charles Schwab Corporation announced its agreement to acquire Forge Global Holdings, a leading private-market trading platform, in a deal valued at approximately US $600 million. Family Wealth Report+2Reuters+2

The transaction underscores Schwab’s strategy to broaden access to private companies and secondary markets. Forge Global enables qualified investors to buy and sell shares of private companies, thereby expanding investment opportunities beyond publicly listed equities. The acquisition aims to build Schwab’s capabilities in the private-markets segment, which many large financial services firms view as a growth frontier.

Deal Overview and Strategic Rationale

Under the terms of the agreement, Schwab will pay $45 in cash per outstanding share of Forge Global. The deal has received unanimous approval from both companies’ boards and is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. Press Room+1

According to Schwab, the acquisition supports several strategic goals:

• Integrating Forge’s private-market platform with Schwab’s existing brokerage, investment advisory and wealth-management operations. Press Room

• Leveraging Schwab’s roughly 46 million client accounts and over $11 trillion in assets-under-management to scale private-market access. Family Wealth Report+1

• Responding to broader industry trends where private-company valuations have grown and many firms delay or forego public-market listings, increasing demand for private-market exposure. Reuters+1

Schwab’s CEO, Rick Wurster, said the move “builds on more than half a century of Schwab innovating on behalf of individual investors, advisors and employers” and emphasised that the combination of Schwab’s reach and Forge’s marketplace “positions us to deepen liquidity, improve transparency, and further democratise access to this increasingly important source of wealth creation for investors.” Press Room

Market and Industry Implications

The acquisition reflects a broader shift in the investment-management industry as asset-managers and brokerages increasingly target private and alternative assets. Analysts estimate that private-wealth capital allocated to alternative asset classes could grow from about $4 trillion today to $13 trillion by 2032. Family Wealth Report+1

For Schwab, the deal may enhance its value-proposition for high-net-worth individuals and advisors looking to access non-listed companies and secondary liquidity. For Forge, the partnership provides scale, distribution and resources to expand its marketplace and interval-fund capabilities.

Competitors are paying close attention. Recent deals such as Morgan Stanley’s acquisition of another private-shares platform signal intensifying competition in this space. NAPA Net

Risks, Challenges and Considerations

While the opportunity is substantial, the move is not without risks:

• Private-market investments are typically less liquid, more opaque and carry higher fees compared with public equities. Some observers caution that retail investors may face hidden risks. Family Wealth Report

• Integration of distinct platforms and business models (brokerage + private-market fintech) may present operational and regulatory complexity.

• The deal’s success will depend on Schwab’s ability to scale the offering, generate new revenue streams, and manage investor expectations around illiquid investments.

Outlook & Next Steps

In the coming months, Burg watchers will focus on:

• Whether the deal meets its expected closing timeline (first half of 2026).

• How Schwab plans to integrate Forge’s platform and roll out private-market offerings to its client base.

• Whether this move catalyses similar acquisitions or partnerships across the wealth-management industry.

• How regulators respond, particularly in relation to retail-investor protections around private-market access.

If executed successfully, the acquisition may accelerate the institutionalisation of private markets and make them more accessible to a broader investor base — while reinforcing Schwab’s competitive positioning in the wealth-management sector.

The Federal Tax Authority (FTA) of the United Arab Emirates has published detailed guidance clarifying how family wealth-management structures such as family foundations, holding companies, special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) and single- or multi-family offices are treated under the federal corporate tax regime introduced by Federal Decree‑Law No. 47 of 2022 (“CT Law”). The clarification addresses a long-standing grey area, providing critical legal certainty for wealth-structuring and succession planning. Middle East Briefing+1

Why the Clarification Matters

With the UAE corporate tax regime coming into force in June 2023, many high-net-worth individuals, family offices and professional advisers lacked clarity on how vehicles used for asset-holding, investment and succession should be treated. The new public clarification by the FTA defines when such entities may be treated as tax-transparent (and thus avoid entity-level corporate tax) and when they are taxable persons in their own right. Middle East Briefing+1

This development significantly enhances the attractiveness of the UAE as a wealth-management jurisdiction by reducing structuring risk and aligning local practice with international standards of transparency and substance.

Key Elements of the Guidance

1. Scope of Family Wealth-Management Structures
The clarification covers a broad range of entities including family foundations (and trusts or similar vehicles), asset-holding entities, SPVs, and family office vehicles (single-family offices (SFOs) and multi-family offices (MFOs)). Beneficiaries and ownership chains are also considered. Middle East Briefing+1

2. Legal Personality vs Non-Personality Entities
Entities without separate legal personality (e.g., trusts in certain UAE-free-zones) are automatically treated as fiscally transparent under Article 17 of the CT Law. Those with a separate legal personality (e.g., foundations) may apply to the FTA for transparency provided they meet the conditions. Middle East Briefing+1

3. Multi-Tier Ownership Chains
The guidance clarifies that ownership structures comprising an uninterrupted chain of entities wholly owned by a tax-transparent family foundation may also qualify for transparency — subject to strict compliance with governance, ownership, purpose and substance criteria. PwC

4. Family Offices and Free-Zone Relief
SFOs/MFOs that do not meet transparency conditions are treated as taxable persons (subject to 9% corporate tax on income exceeding AED 375,000). However, if they qualify as a Qualifying Free Zone Person and provide regulated investment- or wealth-management services, they may access 0% tax on qualifying income. Middle East Briefing+1

5. Income Treatment for Individual Beneficiaries
The clarification reaffirms that UAE-resident individuals remain outside the scope of corporate tax so long as income arises from passive investment or personal wealth (rather than business activity). This helps preserve the UAE’s appeal for personal wealth-holding and succession vehicles. Mondaq

Practical Compliance and Structuring Considerations

• Entities seeking transparency should ensure their purpose is asset-holding, investment or succession, not running active business operations or tax-avoidance-driven acts.

• Substance requirements must be met: governance, documented decision-making, ownership registers, audit records and physical presence may be relevant.

• Structures should be reviewed especially if they involve multiple tiers, jurisdictions or legacy vehicles established prior to the CT regime.

• Firms must assess whether their entity qualifies for Free-Zone relief and whether regulated status has been secured where required.

• Early structuring alignment is advisable — non-compliance risks entity-level taxation and potential retroactive cost for families and advisers.

Strategic Implications

This clarification enhances the UAE’s positioning as a wealth-management hub offering clarity and tax-efficiency for family-office and asset-holding structures. For advisers and global investors, it introduces more certainty into jurisdiction-selection and structuring decisions. For the UAE, it reinforces alignment with global tax standards (including OECD BEPS) while maintaining competitiveness in the private-wealth domain.

What to Watch

• How family foundations, trusts and SPVs adjust existing structures and submit applications for transparency with the FTA.

• Whether the FTA issues further interpretive guidance or examples to support multi-tier structure compliance.

• Uptake of Free-Zone 0% tax relief by family-office vehicles and how those vehicles demonstrate regulated-service status.

• How cross-border structuring (non-resident beneficiaries, foreign-owned assets) will be handled under substance and treaty considerations.

• Market perception: whether the UAE garners increased family-office and wealth-management flows as a result of enhanced clarity.

Conclusion

By issuing this comprehensive clarification on the corporate tax treatment of family wealth-management structures, the UAE FTA has removed a key structural-risk barrier for families, foundations and wealth advisers. With clear conditions on transparency, governance and purpose, assets and succession vehicles can now be reviewed, aligned and optimised with confidence. The move strengthens the UAE’s wealth-ecosystem credentials and supports its long-term strategy of private-wealth attraction and economic diversification.

In a decisive move that marks one of Europe’s toughest stances against the surge of low-value Chinese imports, the French government has ordered that every parcel arriving from fast-fashion giant Shein and other e-commerce platforms such as TEMU and AliExpress be opened and inspected at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport (Roissy).

Minister of Public Accounts Amélie de Montchalin confirmed that 200,000 parcels and nearly 700,000 individual products from China will now undergo systematic customs checks each day, effectively placing France at the forefront of Europe’s growing campaign to regulate the flow of goods from Asian marketplaces.

Speaking during an inspection visit at Roissy-CDG’s freight terminal, De Montchalin declared: “We are going to open all packages that come from Shein.” Her remarks underline a political and regulatory turning point in Europe’s relationship with low-cost online retail one increasingly associated with tax evasion, counterfeit goods, and unsafe consumer products. (Source)

A New Era of Strict Customs Oversight

The new measure mandates that all parcels arriving from Chinese online platforms must be opened, scanned, and examined by customs agents within a 24-hour period. Those found to violate safety, labelling, or tax regulations will be detained, destroyed, or returned to sender.

Each parcel will be physically opened not merely x-rayed to allow French authorities to verify its declared contents, origin, and value. This systematic inspection represents a radical departure from previous de minimis practices, under which low-value goods (below €150) were allowed to enter the EU with minimal checks.

According to the French Directorate General of Customs and Indirect Taxes (DGDDI), the initiative aims to enforce product-safety standards, intellectual-property rights, and proper VAT collection. Customs officers will work alongside digital-forensics teams equipped with AI-based parcel-scanning systems capable of flagging suspicious shipments for deeper analysis.

Officials describe the 24-hour inspection process as “industrial in scale.” Roissy-CDG handles up to one million packages per day, many of which originate from Shein, TEMU, and AliExpress fulfillment centers in southern China.

The Broader Context: Why France is Acting Now

The French government’s decision comes amid a mounting backlash against fast-fashion and ultra-cheap imports flooding the European market. In recent years, platforms like Shein and TEMU have gained vast market share by shipping directly to consumers, bypassing traditional importers and tax checkpoints.

Critics — including unions, French manufacturers, and environmental groups have accused these platforms of undermining European retailers, evading taxes, and promoting over-consumption through a constant churn of disposable clothing.

Consumer-protection agencies have also raised concerns about the safety and traceability of products such as cosmetics, electronics, and toys imported via Chinese platforms. Investigations have found items lacking EU safety markings (CE labels) or containing hazardous materials.

De Montchalin’s announcement aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s broader “economic sovereignty” agenda, which seeks to strengthen Europe’s capacity to monitor imports, secure industrial competitiveness, and protect consumers from unsafe or non-compliant goods.

Logistics Impact: Roissy as the Frontline

The Charles-de-Gaulle (Roissy) Airport, Europe’s second-largest air cargo hub, has become the central node for France’s enforcement strategy. Customs agents at Roissy are now working in shifts to handle the enormous daily volume of parcels, assisted by automated sorting systems and scanning robots.

Officials estimate that the new inspection regime could delay deliveries by several days, especially for Shein and TEMU orders, which typically rely on ultra-fast turnaround from Chinese warehouses.

A senior customs officer quoted by Midi Libre explained: “We are no longer talking about random checks. Every parcel will be opened. France is drawing a line between compliant and non-compliant commerce.”

The cost and logistical burden of the process is expected to be absorbed partly by courier companies and partly by the e-commerce platforms themselves a factor that may ultimately lead to higher consumer prices or slower shipping times.

Industry Reactions: Mixed but Predictable

The announcement has generated sharp reactions from the retail and logistics sectors.
French trade associations have welcomed the move, calling it a “necessary act of fairness” that will level the playing field for domestic merchants who pay full import duties and VAT.

E-commerce giants, however, have expressed concern over what they see as disproportionate scrutiny. Shein issued a statement asserting that it “complies with all European product-safety and customs regulations” and will continue cooperating with authorities to ensure a transparent supply chain. TEMU representatives warned that such policies “risk slowing cross-border commerce and hurting consumers seeking affordable goods.”

Meanwhile, European logistics experts warn that the new French model could create a ripple effect across the continent. If similar systems are adopted in Germany, Spain, or the Netherlands, the efficiency and cost structure of Asian cross-border e-commerce could change dramatically.

Consumer Impact and Future Scenarios

For French consumers, the immediate effect will be noticeable in the form of longer delivery times, occasional parcel holds, and potentially higher final prices. However, proponents argue that these are acceptable trade-offs for better safety and accountability.

The measure could also influence purchasing behavior, encouraging shoppers to turn toward local online stores or EU-based marketplaces that already comply with tax and safety rules.

From a geopolitical perspective, France’s crackdown signals Europe’s intention to assert digital and trade sovereignty not just in data and AI regulation, but in the material flow of goods that power the e-commerce economy.

If the inspection model proves effective, the European Commission may push for a pan-European customs reform, integrating AI-assisted parcel tracking and uniform VAT enforcement across all member states.

A Turning Point for Global E-Commerce

The French operation at Roissy-CDG could become a blueprint for other countries confronting the same dilemma: how to maintain open digital trade while preventing tax evasion, counterfeiting, and environmental harm.

It also challenges the economic model of ultra-fast, ultra-cheap e-commerce that relies on fragmented oversight and low shipping costs. Analysts note that if Europe begins to internalize the true cost of compliance, small-parcel e-commerce may enter a new, slower, but more regulated phase.

In essence, France’s decision to open every Shein parcel is not just a customs measure it’s a symbolic act of policy realignment between efficiency and ethics, convenience and compliance.

Conclusion

As France leads the charge in confronting the darker side of global e-commerce, other nations are watching closely. The outcome will determine whether Europe can maintain consumer access to global goods while enforcing its standards for safety, transparency, and fair taxation.

For now, Roissy stands as the frontline of a new trade reality one where every parcel tells a story, and every shipment is a test of how far globalization can bend before it needs to be regulated again.

Stc Group, in collaboration with the Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST) and Nokia, has successfully conducted the first field trial in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region of the 7 GHz frequency band a key spectrum expected to underpin next-generation 6G networks. thefastmode.com+3TechAfrica News+3cst.gov.sa+3

The trial, carried out in Saudi Arabia, evaluated the potential of the 7 GHz (specifically 7.125–8.4 GHz) band for high-capacity, low-latency communication and examined its coexistence with existing services and infrastructure. cst.gov.sa+1 Nokia’s AirScale Massive MIMO radio was used to benchmark throughput and coverage in comparison with a live 5G Standalone network operating on the 3.6 GHz band. thefastmode.com

Strategic Significance

The successful trial signals Saudi Arabia’s ambition to be at the forefront of telecom innovation. By testing the “golden band” for 6G, stc Group and its partners aim to accelerate spectrum readiness, inform standardisation efforts (including at the International Telecommunication Union), and support future-oriented use-cases such as immersive digital services, smart-city infrastructure and ultra-fast industrial connectivity. Telecompaper+1

For stc Group, the milestone reinforces its positioning as a digital enabler in line with Saudi Vision 2030, while for Nokia it demonstrates its capability to deliver next-generation radio solutions for challenging spectrum bands.

Technical Details & Findings

• The trial covered the 7.125–8.4 GHz band, testing outdoor and indoor conditions, and explored the physical-layer performance of the band for 6G-style deployment.

• Results indicated that, despite higher-frequency propagation challenges, throughput and coverage were broadly comparable to the 3.6 GHz 5G SA baseline when using advanced radio units and massive MIMO techniques. thefastmode.com

• The test also examined coexistence with existing microwave fixed-links and identified regulatory/spectrum-sharing considerations for future commercial rollout. Telecompaper

Implications for the MENA Telecom Ecosystem

For regulators and network operators in the region, this trial provides practical data on how 6G candidate bands can be deployed. It may accelerate discussions on spectrum allocation, licensing and ecosystem readiness for 2030-era networks.

For industry players—such as vendors, infrastructure providers, service operators and enterprise clients—the demonstration underlines the increasing importance of advanced bands and the evolution of network architectures from 5G toward 6G.

What to Watch

Key developments in the coming period include:

• Further trials and commercial pilots building on the 7 GHz band in Saudi Arabia and potentially other MENA countries.

• Regulatory actions by CST to allocate the 7 GHz candidate band and update spectrum-licensing frameworks.

• Commercialisation timelines: when operators may launch services utilising the 7 GHz band or integrate it into a 6G roadmap.

• Ecosystem readiness: infrastructure investment, chipset and radio-unit availability, device ecosystem support, and enterprise use-case development.

Conclusion

The completion of MENA’s first 7 GHz band trial by stc Group, Nokia and CST represents a significant leap toward the next generation of mobile connectivity. While full commercial 6G remains years away, this milestone underscores how the region is actively preparing for it today. For Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region, it reinforces their ambition to assume leadership in digital-infrastructure, advanced telecom services and future-industry readiness.

The retail-media advertising market in Europe is expected to approximately double in size this year as brands shift larger portions of their marketing budgets to shopping-platform-based ad formats, according to recent research by WARC. Ecommerce News

WARC’s “Future of Commerce Media 2025” report estimates that global retail-media spend will rise 13.7 % this year to €152 billion (US$175 billion), with Europe showing especially high growth compared with more mature markets. Ecommerce News

Key Findings

• Advertisers in Europe are increasing their spending on retail media significantly, with sellers rethinking their business models to prioritise ad-revenues via their own platforms and marketplaces. Ecommerce News

• Retail-media in 2026 is forecast to slow growth to around 12.4 %, and 11.6 % in 2027, indicating that the peak acceleration phase is underway. Ecommerce News

• Retail-media formats include advertising placements within online-shop search results, product listings and apps — with 40 % of media-buyers surveyed describing retail media as a “full-funnel solution”. Ecommerce News

Why It Matters

The acceleration of retail-media spend in Europe reflects several underlying shifts:

• Retailers are increasingly acting as media-companies, monetising their first-party data and shopper traffic rather than relying solely on product margins.

• Brands are diversifying from traditional display and social advertising toward commerce-adjacent ad formats where Purchase-intent signals are stronger.

• For e-commerce players and platforms, this trend offers a dual revenue-stream model: product sales plus advertising income — strengthening long-term monetisation prospects.

Implications for Stakeholders

For brands and agencies: the rise of retail media means media-planning needs to adapt — budgets must be reallocated, measurement frameworks updated and full-funnel strategies revised to include “on-site” and “adjacent” retail-media placements.
For retailers and marketplaces: mature data-capabilities, ad-product design and effectiveness-measurement are becoming core competencies — not just logistics or assortment.
For the broader ecosystem: as growth normalises, standardisation, transparency and measurement will be more important — fragmentation and inconsistent metrics pose risks for effectiveness.

Looking Ahead

The next phase of retail-media growth in Europe is likely to hinge on:

• How well platforms scale ad-products and offer meaningful attribution and measurement to brands.

• Whether media-buyers shift more spend from upper-funnel to commerce-driven formats without sacrificing brand-building goals.

• The extent to which offline and in-store retail-media (digital screens in-store, connected-POS) catch up with online retail-media formats.

• How regulation (data/tracking/privacy) and competitive dynamics (platforms, social commerce) will impact spending patterns.

Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Ömer Bolat, has announced a new loan program designed to boost the country’s growing e-export sector. Speaking at the Ankara E-Export Summit, Bolat revealed that the “E-Export Support Package” will provide ₺500 million in financing for exporters through a collaboration between Türk Eximbank and İhracatı Geliştirme A.Ş. (İGE). (aa.com.tr)

According to the Minister, the credit facility will be offered without the need for additional collateral, backed by a 100 % IGE guarantee. The loans will feature a six-month grace period and a maximum maturity of 12 months, giving exporters more flexibility to manage working capital and expand their digital operations. (haberler.com)

Why It Matters

E-commerce and digital exports have become vital pillars of Türkiye’s new economic strategy. Bolat noted that the nation’s e-commerce volume surpassed ₺3 trillion in 2024, while the number of registered e-exporters jumped by 62 % year-on-year, reaching 11,283 companies. (aa.com.tr)

The Minister reiterated the government’s ambition to increase the share of e-exports to 10 % of total exports by the 2030s, underscoring Ankara’s long-term goal of building a resilient, technology-driven export base. (yatirimx.com.tr)

Key Features of the Support Package

• No collateral required — the entire loan is backed by IGE’s guarantee.

• ₺500 million total fund allocated to support e-exporting SMEs and startups.

• Six-month grace period before principal repayment.

• Twelve-month total maturity for flexible repayment schedules.

• Eligibility for companies engaged in or planning to begin cross-border e-commerce.

The package is intended to strengthen liquidity among exporters, enabling investment in logistics, technology, marketing and payment-infrastructure upgrades necessary to compete internationally.

Broader Economic Impact

The E-Export Support Package aligns with Türkiye’s ongoing efforts to integrate into global supply chains and diversify its export base. By improving access to finance, the government aims to empower SMEs and digital-first enterprises to scale internationally, thereby supporting economic growth and employment.

Additionally, it highlights Türkiye’s intent to solidify its role as a regional logistics and digital-commerce hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East — particularly as cross-border trade becomes increasingly digital.

Challenges and Considerations

While the program is a positive step, its effectiveness will depend on:

• How efficiently banks and IGE process applications and distribute funds.

• Whether SMEs can adapt their operations (logistics, marketing, compliance) to meet global e-commerce standards.

• Interest-rate levels and repayment terms, which will determine real accessibility for smaller exporters.

• Follow-through support such as training, mentoring and digital-capacity building.

Without complementary measures, financing alone may not guarantee success. Effective implementation and continuous evaluation will be essential for measurable export growth.

Outlook

The ₺500 million E-Export Support Package demonstrates Türkiye’s intent to empower its digital exporters amid global competition. If executed efficiently, the initiative could accelerate the digital transformation of Türkiye’s export sector, attract foreign investment, and expand SME participation in global trade.

As the Trade Ministry monitors early outcomes, key metrics will include the number of firms utilizing the loan, increases in e-export volumes, and market-entry diversification.

Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has introduced a new digital-payments platform, SIB Pay, designed to accelerate the United Arab Emirates’ shift toward electronic transactions. The platform, announced on 6 November 2025, is the first of its kind rolled out by a Sharjah-based bank. Gulf News

SIB Pay is positioned to serve government entities, corporates and SMEs, with features tailored for both merchants and consumers. According to the bank, the offering aligns with the UAE’s digital-economy agenda and supports enhanced convenience, flexibility and security in payments. Gulf News

Platform Features

The new SIB Pay platform incorporates a range of digital-payment tools, including:

• QR-code payment capability compatible with major e-wallets and banking applications. Gulf News

• Soft POS functionality, enabling Android smartphones and tablets to act as payment terminals. Gulf News

• E-commerce payment gateway for secure transactions on websites and apps. Gulf News

• “Pay by Link” feature, allowing instant payment requests via SMS or email. Gulf News

• Card tokenisation to enable encrypted storage of card details for recurring or one-click payments. Gulf News

Strategic Context & Significance

The launch of SIB Pay comes at a time when the UAE is intensifying its efforts toward digital financial infrastructure and cashless payment adoption. As SIB’s Head of Retail Banking noted, this initiative “reflects our strategic commitment to empowering businesses and simplifying transactions in innovative and secure ways that enhance competitiveness and support the UAE’s Vision 2031”. Gulf News

By offering a unified payments platform covering merchants of all sizes—including government, enterprises and SMEs—SIB aims to strengthen its position as a leader in secure, inclusive financial innovation across the UAE. The bank emphasised that SIB Pay supports fast-moving commerce, digital retail and e-business models, underpinned by payments technology. Gulf News

Implications for Merchants & Consumers

For merchants, the new platform offers tools that reduce friction at checkout, modernise acceptance infrastructure and expand payment options—important features in an increasingly digital-led retail ecosystem. The soft POS feature enables even smaller businesses to accept payments without traditional terminals.

For consumers, benefits include greater flexibility in payment methods, smoother checkout experiences and enhanced security through tokenisation of cards. The wide range of supported payment tools opens more possibilities for digital commerce and online/offline purchasing behaviour in the UAE.

Challenges & Considerations

While promising, the initiative will face operational and market challenges:

• Adoption rate among merchants and consumers will be key—particularly ensuring training, onboarding and support for smaller businesses in using new payment tools.

• Security and fraud risk remain significant in digital payments, so continuous monitoring, compliance and consumer protection frameworks will be vital.

• The payments-ecosystem competition in UAE is evolving rapidly; ensuring differentiation and service reliability will determine if SIB Pay can gain strong market share.

• The platform’s success will also depend on how well it integrates with partner wallets, banking apps and broader digital-commerce ecosystems.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, key indicators to monitor will include:

• Merchant acquisition numbers for SIB Pay and the volume of transactions processed through the platform.

• Uptake of soft POS and QR-code payment tools by small and micro businesses.

• The impact on checkout abandonment rates and average transaction values for merchants using the platform.

• Partnerships announced by SIB or integrations with digital-commerce providers, e-wallets and fintech platforms.

• User feedback related to ease of setup, transaction speed, security and customer support.

If SIB Pay gains traction, it may help position Sharjah Islamic Bank as a payments-innovation leader in the UAE and contribute to the broader goal of creating a more seamless, digital-first payments infrastructure in the region.

Dubai International Chamber (DIC) announced that it has successfully attracted 44 multinational companies to establish operations in Dubai during the first nine months of 2025, a 10 % increase from the same period in 2024. The chamber also reported that a total of 261 companies were attracted between January and September, up from 158 in the previous year — marking a 65 % year-on-year growth. Gulf Business+2Arabian Business+2

Alongside the multinational influx, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) also saw strong growth: 217 SMEs were brought in during this period, representing an 84 % increase compared to 118 in the same timeframe last year. Gulf Business+1

wStrategic Context and Drivers

The increase in multinational entries reflects Dubai’s continuing push to position itself as a global business hub. According to Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem — Chairman of Dubai International Chamber — the effort aligns with the broader Dubai Economic Agenda D33 which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. The expansion of DIC’s global representative office network was also highlighted as a key driver. Gulf Business+1

Between Q1 and Q3 of 2025, DIC opened new representative offices in Dhaka (Bangladesh), Cape Town (South Africa), Bengaluru (India), Bangkok (Thailand) and Toronto (Canada) — increasing its global footprint and supporting two-way trade and investment flows. Gulf Business+1

Implications for Dubai’s Economy and Investors

For Dubai’s economy, attracting more multinational headquarters, regional offices and global firms can contribute to higher-value investment, job creation, innovation partnerships and deeper integration into global supply chains. The growth in SMEs also signals that the emirate’s ecosystem is becoming more attractive to smaller businesses seeking access to global networks, supportive regulation and a business-friendly environment.

For global multinationals considering regional hubs, the data suggests that Dubai is increasingly viewed as a viable launchpad — offering strategic access to MENA, Africa and South Asia markets. The growth in DIC-facilitated entries may shorten onboarding time, reduce regulatory friction and improve support for international firms.

Challenges and Considerations

While the figures are encouraging, sustaining momentum will require addressing several factors:

• Ensuring that new entrants convert into long-term operations, investments and employment rather than short-term registrations.

• Managing infrastructure, talent and regulatory capacity as more global firms and SMEs enter the market, to maintain service quality.

• Differentiating Dubai’s offering amid increasing competition from other regional hubs in the Gulf and beyond.

• Monitoring how many of the new companies are genuinely “multinationals” with regional influence, versus smaller or regional-only entities.

Outlook

As Dubai moves into the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, key indicators to monitor include:

• How many of the newly-attracted multinationals will establish regional headquarters or substantial operational hubs in Dubai.

• The sectors represented by the new entrants, especially in digital economy, logistics, green economy, fintech and advanced manufacturing.

• How SME growth is sustained or expanded, and whether the ecosystem supports scale-up of those SMEs to global or regional players.

• The performance of Dubai’s international offices and how effectively they convert representation into actual company entries and investment flows.

If trends continue, Dubai may further solidify its status as a major global business location — but outcomes will depend not just on registrations, but on substantive business activity and sustainable growth.