Latest news with #GITEXGlobal2024
Express Tribune
04-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Can Pakistan seize its digital moment?
Pakistan, by contrast, has opted out of the ITA, one of the world's most successful digital trade agreements, whose membership has grown to 86 countries accounting for over 97% of global digital trade.: photo: file Listen to article Just as Pakistan earned global recognition for its pivot to solar energy, it is now positioning itself as a rising force in the digital economy. Named "Tech Destination of the Year" at GITEX Global 2024, Pakistan justified this award by co-hosting the first-ever Digital Foreign Direct Investment (DFDI) 2025 Conference in partnership with the Saudi-led Digital Cooperation Organisation. The high-profile event attracted over 400 delegates and more than 200 tech companies from 30+ countries, resulting in investment commitments surpassing $700 million — a clear signal of growing international confidence in Pakistan's digital potential. These milestones are not isolated achievements but part of a broader digital transformation taking shape across the country. Nowhere is this more evident than in export performance. While merchandise exports remain sluggish— losing over 1.5% in global export share annually for the last two decades and falling behind regional competitors — Information Communication Technology (ICT) services are charting a different trajectory. Last year, ICT export remittances reached $3.223 billion, and in the first nine months of the current financial year, they grew by an impressive 28% year-on-year. The sector, requiring virtually no imported raw materials apart from computers, channels the majority of its export earnings into the national trade surplus. In FY2023-24, this surplus amounted to $2.827 billion — approximately 88% of total ICT remittances. However, if Pakistan wants to build on this success and capture a meaningful share of the global digital services market, it must look outward as other successful countries are doing. For example, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) exported over $$48 billion in digital services in 2023 — more than fifteen times Pakistan's current ICT export volume. The UAE's achievements are rooted in its global digital engagement, including membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and its leadership in AI-driven trade policy frameworks. Pakistan, by contrast, has opted out of the ITA, one of the world's most successful digital trade agreements, whose membership has grown to 86 countries accounting for over 97% of global digital trade. The only requirement for membership is to eliminate tariffs on IT products — yet Pakistan remains among the few countries, mostly from Africa, that continue to forgo the long-term gains for nominal tariff revenues. In parallel, the WTO members are negotiating a landmark E-commerce Agreement aimed at establishing global rules for digital trade. The agreement is set to facilitate cross-border electronic transactions, reduce regulatory and technical barriers, and promote innovation in e-commerce. Unfortunately, Pakistan has once again chosen to remain on the sidelines, missing another opportunity to align itself with the future of global commerce. The real challenge now is whether Pakistan can abandon its isolationist mindset and build an innovation-driven economy or whether it will repeat the policy failures that crippled its goods exports. In the digital sector, traditional trade barriers may not exist, but self-imposed restrictions — like the past ban on YouTube and the ongoing blockade of X (formerly Twitter) — pose a similar threat. These platforms are vital for digital outreach, entrepreneurship, and global visibility. Blocking them undermines investor confidence and deters foreign interest in Pakistan's tech ecosystem. To avoid repeating past mistakes, Pakistan must adopt a proactive, globally integrated digital trade strategy. This means engaging with multilateral digital agreements, opening markets, and fostering cross-border collaboration. Encouragingly, the Ministry of Information Technology is well-positioned to lead this shift. It is led by a dynamic young minister and supported by a Federal Secretary who is an industry expert rather than a career bureaucrat. Pakistan stands at a digital crossroads. Its recent recognition and growth in ICT exports have created a window of opportunitybut unless accompanied by global integration, enabling regulation, and policy coherence, this momentum may prove short-lived. To secure its digital future, Pakistan must shift from cautious optimism to bold action. THE WRITER IS A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE PAKISTAN INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS (PIDE) AND HAS PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS PAKISTAN'S AMBASSADOR TO THE WTO AND THE FAO'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA
Express Tribune
23-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Dubai airport launches facial recognition system to speed up passport control
Listen to article In a major advancement towards seamless air travel, Dubai International Airport has introduced a new AI-powered passport control system that enables some passengers to bypass traditional identity verification steps entirely. Launched during Dubai AI Week, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) unveiled the 'Unlimited Smart Travel' service at the First and Business Class lounges in Terminal 3. According to the GDRFA, the system uses cutting-edge artificial intelligence and facial recognition to identify passengers without requiring physical documents. 'This service has been developed in line with the Directorate's vision to improve the quality of life for travellers and enhance the efficiency and smoothness of travel procedures,' the authority said in a statement. The initiative is based on learnings from the smart tunnel project launched in 2020, which utilised biometric data for identity verification. The upgraded system allows up to 10 individuals to pass through immigration in 14 seconds, significantly reducing wait times. 'In this new phase, we are transitioning to an advanced system, which does not rely on documents or any other procedures – just facial recognition,' a senior official said, noting that the system uses pre-registered biometric data. Currently available only for departing passengers, the GDRFA said the future plan includes expanding the service to arriving passengers. Travellers will need to register just once, after which their data will be stored securely. The smart lounges are equipped with advanced multi-angle cameras to capture facial data, streamlining movement through immigration gates. Officials expect the system to help manage an anticipated 8 per cent increase in passenger traffic. Branded as 'Unlimited Smart Travel,' the service echoes Dubai's broader 'Travel Without Borders' initiative showcased at GITEX Global 2024, aimed at redefining global airport experiences.
Arabian Business
14-04-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
AI adoption
AI adoption Dubai AI Week is slated to be held from 21 to 25 April AI adoption Saudi enterprises demonstrate high preparedness for Business AI adoption across multiple sectors, new SAP-commissioned YouGov survey reveals AI adoption A short video of the applicant's face will measure key health metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate AI adoption A new BCG report says organisations with mature digital and AI capabilities achieve substantially higher revenue and enterprise value Abu Dhabi UAE petrol prices, Dubai real estate analysis, Saudi job updates, how to get a side hustle and more top stories this week AI adoption Chinese tech company Alibaba launched a new version of its Qwen 2.5 AI model on Wednesday AI adoption The breakthrough suggests U.S. sanctions may have accelerated China's push for technological self-reliance, rather than containing its advancement, experts say AI adoption Salesforce, ServiceNow, Adobe, AMD and Intel are among the companies the region's nimble-footed investors are now betting on AI adoption DeepSeek's capabilities appear to match or exceed those of established AI platforms in several key areas AI adoption They also suggested using ETFs-route for broader exposure to mitigate risks in the current market scenario AI adoption Here is everything you need to know about China's new AI model DeepSeek AI adoption The study, which surveyed 700 directors and senior managers across seven countries exposes critical gaps in AI infrastructure and talent Abu Dhabi Plans to achieve 100% adoption of sovereign cloud computing and digitising and automating 100% of processes over next three years AI adoption The new initiative aims to empower half a million individuals within two years with critical AI skills AI adoption The race to AI proficiency is on, and the UAE is sprinting ahead to bridge the global tech talent gap, industry leaders say on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2024 in Dubai AI adoption PricewaterhouseCoopers study highlights five key factors why the region is getting ahead of other in the race to adopt AI AI adoption NVIDIA is participating in the VAST-led Cosmos community to support and foster ecosystem collaboration
Campaign ME
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
The future of live events in the Middle East: immersive experiences, sustainability & AI
The Middle East's live entertainment and event marketing industry is experiencing a transformation driven by emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and AI-powered personalisation. The market is projected to reach $76.67B by 2028, with immersive experiences, hybrid events, and eco-friendly innovations at the forefront. As consumer expectations evolve, event organisers have to adapt to provide engaging, sustainable, and highly personalised experiences. Hybrid experiences driving audience engagement The post-pandemic landscape in the live entertainment industry has been marked by a dramatic decline in virtual events: by mid-2023, 60 per cent of events were held in person, compared to just 30 per cent in 2021. The shift has been driven by increasing tiredness from fully digital events, 'Zoom fatigue', and the lack of meaningful, authentic connection in online-based entertainment. As a result, audiences are seeking the energy and unique experiences of live events – according to recent polls, 72 per cent of respondents prefer traditional physical events over online ones. While the number of fully virtual events has naturally decreased, growing demand for deeper engagement boosts the evolution of immersive events and venues. One of the most striking examples of this trend is the Sphere, a giant immersive entertainment venue soon coming to Abu Dhabi. Featuring immersive LED displays and next-generation audiovisual technology, this Sphere is expected to be monumental in scale with a capacity of 20,000. Another milestone event was Eric Prydz's HOLO show in Dubai, which brought his iconic 3D holographic performance to Expo City Dubai in October 2024 as the closing performance of GITEX Global 2024, marking HOLO's Middle East debut. Alongside a growing number of hybrid events in the region, more and more immersive entertainment parks and attractions are opening their doors in the GCC region. AYA Universe, an award-winning entertainment park in Dubai, boasts 12 rooms that combine art and technology, transcending the boundaries between dream and reality. Sustainability initiatives as an essential tool As global events such as GITEX Global and the Huawei Tech Carnival in the Middle East gain momentum, the number of international participants grows proportionally. With it comes not only opportunities for growth and collaboration but also concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale gatherings as emissions from air travel and logistics continue to rise. Embracing digital innovation is key to reducing the environmental impact of large-scale events, from streamlining logistics to minimising waste. One example is mobile-first ticketing—platforms like Platinumlist replace paper tickets with SafeTickets, cutting paper use while enhancing security. As the industry shifts toward sustainability, technology plays a crucial role in eco-conscious event management. Several major events paved the way for sustainable event management. COP28 Dubai was the first UN climate summit to be powered entirely by clean energy, featuring carbon-offset programs, digital-only ticketing, and a strict zero-plastic policy. The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar also introduced innovative sustainability measures – the Stadium 974 was constructed entirely from recyclable shipping containers and dismantled after the tournament. Sustainability has become a core factor in event management for audiences and sponsors alike, reshaping the entire economy of event management. As eco-conscious sponsors prioritise partnerships with green events, sustainability now plays into core business decisions. AI-driven personalisation transforming attendee experience The Middle East is at the forefront of AI usage in event marketing. Conferences like LEAP 2024 in Saudi Arabia focus on the role of generative AI in industries ranging from healthcare to finance, while the Future IT Summit 2025 in Dubai is expected to highlight AI-driven event planning and networking tools. At the same time, Web Summit 2025, exploring AI's impact on data ethics, governance, and regulation, is scheduled to take place in Qatar this coming February. AI is reducing the carbon footprint of large-scale events and revolutionising event marketing by enhancing personalisation and audience engagement. AI algorithms curate tailored experiences, ensuring attendees can engage in relevant and meaningful interactions. The future of live events in the middle east The Middle East's live events industry is rapidly growing, with the market projected to reach $76.67B by 2028. As the region cements its position as a global hub for entertainment innovation, emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven personalisation reshape how events are designed and experienced. The next era of live events will likely see Extended Reality (XR) and the Metaverse play a larger role, blending physical and digital elements to create fully immersive 'phygital' experiences. At the same time, sustainability remains a priority, with eco-conscious venues and carbon-neutral initiatives setting new industry standards. As the live entertainment landscape evolves, success will depend on leveraging technology for deeper engagement, enhancing audience experiences, and prioritising sustainable practices. Organisers, sponsors, and attendees drive a new era of interactive, responsible, and future-focused events. By Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist
Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Tetr College of Business launched in Dubai: Empowering global students launch 23 businesses
Dubai has emerged as a key destination for entrepreneurial education with the success of Tetr College of Business, a pioneering global business school where students learn by building businesses. In its inaugural semester, the college's Bachelor's in Management and Technology programme saw over 110 students from various countries establish 23 businesses, collectively earning $138,000 within four months. The initiative integrated hands-on business creation with academic learning, leveraging Dubai's dynamic commercial ecosystem to provide real-world exposure. Students explored diverse markets, launching dropshipping ventures across sectors such as electronics, sports, home decor, apparel, and lifestyle products, while also securing over $15,000 in external funding to expand their enterprises. Their entrepreneurial journey included high-profile engagements, such as pitching business ideas at GITEX Global 2024, where they interacted with industry leaders and received feedback on scalability and market positioning. Immersions at Emirates' Ebdaa initiative provided insights into AI-driven aviation advancements, while visits to Dubai's Gold Souk honed their negotiation skills through real-time pricing strategies. Additionally, students gained firsthand knowledge of large-scale urban development at Emaar's headquarters and explored international trade mechanisms at Jebel Ali Port, understanding the impact of supply chain innovations on global commerce. Beyond the business landscape, Dubai's cultural offerings, including Desert Safaris and Dhow Cruises, added depth to their educational experience. According to Tarun Gangwar, COO of Tetr College of Business, the blend of a thriving business environment and rich cultural heritage equips students with essential global competencies. The Class of 2028 now transitions to India for the next phase of their curriculum, focusing on direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses in emerging markets. Designed to span seven countries, Tetr's program aims to provide students with a unique global perspective by enabling them to establish multiple ventures across different economic landscapes.
