Latest news with #FeryalAhmadi
Campaign ME
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
Gaming Matters Dubai: MENA's moment to lead the future of gaming
Attending Gaming Matters Dubai this year felt like a pivotal moment—not just for the Middle East, but for the global gaming industry. Held at the So Uptown Dubai, the event was a high-energy convergence of creators, investors, brands, vendors, developers, and policymakers. It was a clear declaration: MENA is ready to lead the next chapter of gaming. From the opening remarks by Dr. Marwan Al Zarouni of the Dubai DET and Feryal Ahmadi of DMCC, the message was clear — Dubai isn't dabbling in gaming; it's investing deeply, long-term. With its 'Gaming 2033' vision, the city aims to become one of the top 10 global gaming hubs. But as was wisely pointed out, building an ecosystem takes time. This isn't about chasing hype; it's about creating sustainable infrastructure, talent pipelines and cultural relevance. Get your tickets to the Campaign Breakfast Briefing: Marketing Strategies 2025 on May 29, where top industry leaders will gather to unpack game-changing practices within the world of marketing. The global themes were loud and clear: cross-industry convergence, creator monetization, and emerging market innovation. But what was most encouraging was the commitment to localisation—whether through language, IP, or distribution. Joe Zoghbi from Tencent's Level Infinite shared how PUBG MOBILE is integrating MENA pop culture into its games including custom voice demands from local influencers. That's not just smar — it's essential. At Ampverse, we've seen the power of hyper-local community building. It's how you create emotional resonance — and long-term loyalty. A hot topic throughout the sessions was the role of AI in transforming game development and marketing. From reducing content creation costs to enabling more genre diversity beyond the usual RPGs and FPS titles, AI is making gaming more accessible. And as Warren Cho of Microsoft highlighted, AI is also reshaping how we identify and engage gamer cohorts — something we're already exploring at Ampverse. Meanwhile, indie studios are thriving. Their agility and risk-taking are driving user growth and platform innovation. Timo Krueger from Nielsen called them true disruptors—and I agree. The industry needs their edge. The line between gaming and mainstream entertainment isn't just blurring — it's vanishing. Whether it's the huge success of the recent Minecraftmovie, Arkane becoming a Netflix series or Xbox partnering with Gucci, gaming IP is now full-spectrum culture. Sanjog Gupta of JioStar nailed it: we're not in a 'battle for attention' anymore — we're in a war for passion. Gaming is winning that war because it offers interactivity, community, and storytelling in one package. Langer Lee from TikTok Gaming reinforced something we've been watching closely: the creator economy is decentralising. It's no longer just about mega-influencers — it's about enabling a diverse, dynamic long tail of creators. TikTok Live Studio and frictionless creation tools are making that happen. Monetisation was rightly called the lifeblood of this ecosystem. At Ampverse, we're doubling down on platforms and programs that empower creators to build sustainable careers — not just go viral once. In Dubai, esports isn't just a trend — it's a strategic pillar. Eisa Sharif from the Dubai Sports Council said it best: 'Gamers are absolutely athletes.' The ambition to make Dubai a global esports hub is backed by real investment in talent, infrastructure, and event IP. Add to that the shift in production quality—now rivalling F1 or Premier League broadcasts—and you have a product that can attract both fanatics and first-timers. Monetisation models are evolving fast. As Marc Donnadieu of e& pointed out, the average gamer plays 3–5 hours a day — but how you capture value during that time is changing. Direct-to-consumer (D2C), season passes, DLCs, and community-based commerce are the new norm. One powerful insight: 'If you don't own the relationship with the end user, you don't own your future.' That struck a chord. At Ampverse, that's central to how we think about our virtual world development and community management. Gaming Matters Dubai was a resounding reminder: the MENA region isn't just participating in gaming—it's shaping its future. From cultural integration and creator empowerment to AI disruption and esports excellence, the momentum is undeniable. The world is finally waking up to what we've known for years: gaming matters. And right now, it matters most in MENA. By Charlie Baillie, CEO, Ampverse Group
Trade Arabia
17-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
MENA region can play major role in critical minerals market: Report
The MENA region is at the centre of a rapidly evolving critical minerals market which has significant bearings on the future of energy and global digital transformation, says a new report. With an expansive trade network and infrastructure, access to low-cost energy and significant investment capital, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making strategic moves to invest in global mining projects, expand refining capacity, and forge new trade partnerships, says the report titled 'The Critical Minerals Race: Trade, Supply and Transition', the special edition Future of Trade report by DMCC – the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai. Against this increasingly competitive global landscape, the MENA region is emerging as an increasingly important hub in the supply chain, it says. The report highlights the unprecedented demand for resources such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements to meet production needs of electric vehicles, renewable energy and next-generation technologies. The accelerating demand for critical minerals, fuelled by digitalisation, AI and the global energy transition, is reshaping the international trade and investment landscape with projections that 'insatiable demand' for certain minerals could surge to 75 times current levels by 2050, it says. The report also outlines the structural vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains, including geographic concentration of resources, notably in China, Russia, Australia and Latin America, that is compounding trade regionalisation and risks such as geopolitics, resource nationalism and supply bottlenecks. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: " The demand for critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, manganese and graphite has reached unprecedented levels, driven by the accelerating need to power key industries – from electric vehicles and semiconductors to energy storage and artificial intelligence. This demand is projected to surge up to 75 times current levels, profoundly reshaping global trade flows, supply chains, and government industrial policies. Within this global race for critical minerals, our latest Future of Trade report highlights the UAE and Dubai's growing role, underpinned by our world-class infrastructure, strategic trade partnerships and ease of doing business that will drive resilience, innovation and growth for global businesses.' Feryal Ahmadi, Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, added: 'Amid intensifying trade tensions and growing industrial competition, our latest Future of Trade report highlights the pivotal role critical minerals play in shaping the global economy. With cutting-edge insights, expert analysis, and strategic policy and business recommendations, this report offers actionable insights to empower all stakeholders involved in the critical minerals trade. As DMCC continues to build an environment optimised for business growth, we look forward to working closely with our members to navigate these challenges, unlock growth opportunities and strengthen global trade resilience overall.' The Future of Trade report outlines several key recommendations for governments and businesses to drive the evolution of the critical minerals industry and secure future growth, including: • Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with private sector partners to unlock mineral reserves, enhance technology capabilities and attract investment. • Invest in Innovation: Support research into alternative technologies, such as sodium-ion batteries, to reduce reliance on scarce minerals. • Attract Processing Investments: Capitalise on access to low-cost energy to develop domestic refining capabilities and support industrial growth. • Manage Supply Risks: Use futures markets, long-term contracts and partnerships with suppliers to reduce exposure to price volatility and supply shocks. • Develop Downstream Industries: Invest in battery manufacturing, solar cells and renewable technologies to strengthen demand and build industrial ecosystems. • Support Clear Regulations: Work with policymakers to foster competitive, clear regulations that encourage critical mineral investment.
Al Bawaba
17-02-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Digital Transformation And Energy Transition To Fuel ‘Insatiable Demand' For Critical Minerals, UAE And Mena Region Positioned To Capitalise, Finds New DMCC Report
The accelerating demand for critical minerals, fuelled by digitalisation, AI and the global energy transition, is reshaping the international trade and investment landscape with projections that 'insatiable demand' for certain minerals could surge to 75 times current levels by 2050. Titled 'The Critical Minerals Race: Trade, Supply and Transition', the special edition Future of Trade report by DMCC – the leading international business district that drives the flow of global trade through Dubai – highlights the unprecedented demand for resources such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements to meet production needs of electric vehicles, renewable energy and next-generation technologies. The report also outlines the structural vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains, including geographic concentration of resources, notably in China, Russia, Australia and Latin America, that is compounding trade regionalisation and risks such as geopolitics, resource nationalism and supply bottlenecks. Against this increasingly competitive global landscape, the MENA region is emerging as an increasingly important hub in the supply chain. With an expansive trade network and infrastructure, access to low-cost energy and significant investment capital, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making strategic moves to invest in global mining projects, expand refining capacity, and forge new trade partnerships. These efforts place the region at the centre of a rapidly evolving critical minerals market which has significant bearings on the future of energy and global digital transformation. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DMCC, said: " The demand for critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, lithium, manganese and graphite has reached unprecedented levels, driven by the accelerating need to power key industries – from electric vehicles and semiconductors to energy storage and artificial intelligence. This demand is projected to surge up to 75 times current levels, profoundly reshaping global trade flows, supply chains, and government industrial policies. Within this global race for critical minerals, our latest Future of Trade report highlights the UAE and Dubai's growing role, underpinned by our world-class infrastructure, strategic trade partnerships and ease of doing business that will drive resilience, innovation and growth for global businesses.' Feryal Ahmadi, Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, added: 'Amid intensifying trade tensions and growing industrial competition, our latest Future of Trade report highlights the pivotal role critical minerals play in shaping the global economy. With cutting-edge insights, expert analysis, and strategic policy and business recommendations, this report offers actionable insights to empower all stakeholders involved in the critical minerals trade. As DMCC continues to build an environment optimised for business growth, we look forward to working closely with our members to navigate these challenges, unlock growth opportunities and strengthen global trade resilience overall.' The Future of Trade report outlines several key recommendations for governments and businesses to drive the evolution of the critical minerals industry and secure future growth, including: Leverage Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with private sector partners to unlock mineral reserves, enhance technology capabilities and attract in Innovation: Support research into alternative technologies, such as sodium-ion batteries, to reduce reliance on scarce Processing Investments: Capitalise on access to low-cost energy to develop domestic refining capabilities and support industrial Supply Risks: Use futures markets, long-term contracts and partnerships with suppliers to reduce exposure to price volatility and supply Downstream Industries: Invest in battery manufacturing, solar cells and renewable technologies to strengthen demand and build industrial Clear Regulations: Work with policymakers to foster competitive, clear regulations that encourage critical mineral investment. This special edition of the Future of Trade report builds on the success of previous editions, which have positioned DMCC as a leading voice on global trade trends. The report series has garnered widespread engagement, with over 2.5 million downloads and views, reflecting its value as a key resource for industry leaders and policymakers shaping the future of global trade.
