Fayez Abu Awad, Policy Director MENA at GSMA, discusses how AI, advanced connectivity and strategic digital infrastructure investments can accelerate economic transformation across Qatar and the wider Middle East. 1. What role do you expect AI to play in accelerating Qatar’s and the wider region’s shift towards intelligent economies over the next five years? AI will be one of the defining forces shaping the region’s economies over the next five years but its significance should not be measured by expenditure or adoption rates alone. The proper test is whether it enables an economy to become more productive, more innovative and…
Author: Editorial Team
Health authorities in Abu Dhabi revoked the licence of a physician and suspended another’s licence over controlled medication violations. The Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday the decition aims at safeguarding patient safety in the emirate. Authorities acted against the two doctors following breaches of controlled medication regulations, including shortcomings in clinical assessment, patient follow-up and medical documentation. No further details on the case were revealed. What are controlled medicines? Controlled drugs in the UAE are substances that the government regulates due to their potential for abuse and dependence. These drugs are categorised under strict regulations, and their import, export,…
ABU DHABI, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — The Urban Planning and Permits Centre (UPPC) at the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), has issued Circular No. 9 of 2026 regulating the roles and responsibilities of supervision consultants and contractors across all construction stages. The circular aims to accelerate project delivery, clarify stakeholder accountability, and enhance oversight efficiency while upholding strict quality and safety standards. The circular applies to all new and ongoing building projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It covers structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) works, as well as any additional scopes or phases specified by…
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s active e-commerce commercial registrations increased by 25 percent year-on-year by the end of the third quarter of 2026, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The Kingdom recorded 52,259 active e-commerce commercial registrations by the end of Q3 2026, an increase of 10,577 registrations compared with 41,682 during the same period in 2025. The ministry also revealed the top five regions with the highest number of active e-commerce commercial registrations. Riyadh topped the list with 23,061 registrations, followed by Makkah with 13,177 and the Eastern Province with 7,792. Madinah ranked fourth with 2,198 registrations, followed by Al-Qassim…
LONDON, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) are leading a series of high-level investment and business engagements in London as part of the Abu Dhabi delegation’s visit that began on Tuesday. The visit brings together senior government representatives, investors and business leaders to showcase Abu Dhabi’s investment opportunities, strengthen private-sector engagement and advance institutional partnerships across priority economic sectors. The visit connects international investors and businesses with opportunities across Abu Dhabi’s priority sectors, advances private-sector partnerships and supports access to…
Microsoft recently showcased the third-generation of its custom in-house AI chip, as part of the organisation’s plan to reduce reliance on purchasing processors from Nvidia. The Maia 300 chip will be used for the tech giant’s multi-gigawatt deployments in 2027, making it the primary inference system for Microsoft products and services. Reuters reported it plans to potentially deploy more than 1 million of the chips next year. According to a blog post from EVP Scott Guthrie, the company expects Maia 300 to deliver 40% more tokens per megawatt compared to leading GPU-based systems without naming Nvidia. The Maia 300 is…
Cycls, a Saudi AI platform, has introduced a team of specialized AI agents designed to help individuals and businesses across Saudi Arabia streamline daily operations and accomplish tasks more efficiently. AI no longer just answers questions and makes suggestions. It now executes complete tasks: researching, gathering information, analyzing, and delivering ready-to-use outputs. This is where Cycls offers an experience that goes beyond traditional AI conversation. Instead of just receiving an answer, users can assign agents multi-step tasks: researching, browsing, analyzing, organizing information, and preparing final outputs. Founded in 2021 by engineers Mohammed Alrujayi and Mohammed Alogayyil, Cycls has delivered specialized…
SHARJAH, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — Sharjah Digital Department (SDD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amazon Web Services (AWS) on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation in digital capability building and the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise. The MoU supports Sharjah’s digital transformation journey and the continued development of the Emirate’s government digital services and capabilities. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of SDD’s participation in AWS Summit 2026, by Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director-General of SDD, and Chris Erasmus, General Manager, UAE & Rest of MENA, Amazon Web Services (AWS). Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi…
TOKYO, 14th October, 2026 (WAM) — Oil prices rose in early Asian trading on Wednesday, with Brent crude futures rising 89 cents, or 0.8 percent, to US$106.58 per barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 80 cents, or 0.9 percent, to US$94.94 per barrel. Brent crude fell 0.9 percent on Tuesday, while US crude rose 0.4 percent. Source: Emirates News Agency
The ceremony, held as part of the Mohammed bin Rashid Leadership Forum, honoured participants in the ‘UAE Healthcare Leadership Development Program for 100 Emirati Leaders’ Published: Wed 14 Oct 2026, 10:52 AM Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, president of the UAE Olympic Committee, attended the graduation ceremony for participants in the ‘UAE Healthcare Leadership Development Program for 100 Emirati Leaders’, launched by American Hospital Dubai in partnership with Harvard Business Impact. The programme aims to develop a new generation of Emirati leaders capable of advancing the healthcare sector and shaping its future in line with the highest…