Latest news with #digitalintegration
Hospitality Net
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Expands in Germany with New Opening in Koblenz
The Chocolate on the Pillow Group (COTP) has opened the Four Points Flex by Sheraton Koblenz, marking the second hotel of the brand in Germany. This launch is part of a rebranding strategy that will see six hotels transition to the Four Points Flex by Sheraton identity by early 2026. Comprehensive renovation and repositioning Formerly the GHOTEL hotel & living Koblenz, the property underwent extensive redesign and modernization. This transformation extends beyond a simple name change, encompassing guest rooms, public areas, and digital infrastructure upgrades. The new interior concept integrates the brand's DNA with the local identity, combining functionality, contemporary design, and user-friendly comfort. Digitalization to enhance operations and guest experience A key focus of the redevelopment was digital integration. New front- and back-office systems aim to streamline operations, ease team workload, and enhance guest experience through smart, intuitive services. This supports an efficient hotel operation grounded in effective management and guest service. Ongoing brand expansion Koblenz is the second of six planned hotels undergoing this rebranding initiative, with Bochum already relaunched under the Four Points Flex brand. Further locations are expected to open under this concept by early 2026. The brand aims to establish a flexible, midscale product that balances strong economic performance with distinct design and service standards. Hotel website
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Communications Ministry discusses Google's investment in Kuwait
KUWAIT -- Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar met with Ruth Porat, Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc. (Google), during her visit to Kuwait. The meeting aimed to strengthen their strategic partnership, focusing on technology and digital investment collaboration to enhance digital integration in government agencies. This initiative supports Kuwait's development vision, "New Kuwait 2035." Key attendees included Shaima Al-Terkait, Abdulrahman Al-Thehaiban, Salim Eid and Martin Roski. All KUNA right are reserved © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The National
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Abu Dhabi companies announce deals with Japan on sustainability and smart cities
Abu Dhabi entities announced the signing of deals on Friday that are expected to see private companies from Japan and the UAE develop smart solutions for areas including sustainability and digital integration for smart cities. The focus of the Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council, where the deals were signed, placed great attention on non-oil industries and trade. "Non-oil GDP now contributes to over half of the [UAE] economy," Masood Rahma Al Masaood, treasurer of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said at the event. "Through this forum, we are helping Japan plug into a dynamic and tech forward market." "Both countries have ties since very long back and these ties have strengthened the economy together," added Mansour Al Sayegh, president of the Abu Dhabi Youth Business Council and the group chief executive of UAE conglomerate Al Sayegh Group. "We are looking forward to being part of this delegation, expanding our networks and hopefully, bringing more companies, Japanese companies, major [Japanese companies] into the energy sector, back home to Abu Dhabi," he added. Emirates Driving Company also announced the signing of an agreement with Zenmov Company to promote the deployment of smart mobility IT systems in the UAE and greater Middle East. Khalid bin Aamer Alshemeili, chief executive of Emirates Driving Company, and Sumio Tanaka, president and chief executive of Zenmov, said they will implement joint solutions using Zenmov's Smart Mobility Operations Cloud to optimise resources, vehicle management and unmanned car rentals. Emirates Driving Company will support the market entry of these process to better integrate into the UAE's smart city infrastructure, while Zenmov will provide technical support and training. "We're planning to set up a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi this year, hopefully," said Mr Tanaka. "After we make a subsidiary, we want to make it the centre of our business to the whole of the Middle East and also Europe and Africa." Ne'ma, Abu Dhabi's food and waste loss initiative, signed an initial pact with the Japan International Co-operation Centre to reduce waste in the UAE. The agreement signed by members of the Abu Dhabi-Japan Economic Council on Friday aims to strengthen co-operation between the UAE and Japan to achieve Ne'ma's goal of reducing food loss and waste by 50 per cent by 2030. This falls in line with the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3, according to statements by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. ADDED chairman Ahmed Al Zaabi and Nobuyori Kodaira, president of the Japan Co-operation Centre for the Middle East, are both co-chairs of ADJEC and attended the signing of the agreement. They were joined by UAE ambassador to Japan Shihab Alfaheem and Japan's State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ogushi Masaki.
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) launches regional workshop to advance West Africa regional digital integration project (WARDIP)
The ECOWAS Commission, in partnership with the World Bank-funded West Africa Regional Digital Integration Project (WARDIP), officially launched a two-day Technical Workshop on Policy Coordination and Knowledge Exchange on Connectivity Market Integration, on 7 May 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria. The workshop convenes key actors from ECOWAS Member States, telecommunications regulators, regional institutions, development partners, and private sector stakeholders to engage in forward-looking dialogue on improving broadband access and regulatory harmonisation across the region. In her opening remarks, Ms. Folake OLAGUNJU, Acting Director of Digital Economy and Post at the ECOWAS Commission, emphasised the importance of aligning national digital agendas with regional objectives as set out in the ECOWAS Digital Sector Development Strategy (2024–2029). She called for greater synergy among Member States to bridge the digital divide and promote affordable, inclusive connectivity solutions. 'This workshop must move us from coordination to commitment,' OLAGUNJU affirmed. 'Only through shared ownership and concrete collaboration can we build an integrated digital market that truly serves our citizens.' Engr. Waidi Abdulkareem, Assistant Director for Telecoms and Postal Services at the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, who chaired the workshop reaffirmed Nigeria's strong commitment to regional integration through digital infrastructure and regulatory cooperation. He underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration in accelerating broadband expansion, fostering innovation, and ensuring no country is left behind in the region's digital transformation. He further expressed Nigeria's readiness to work alongside the ECOWAS Commission and its partners to implement harmonised frameworks that support inclusive growth and digital sovereignty across West Africa The workshop is a key milestone in the implementation of Axis 2 of the ECOWAS Digital Strategy, which focuses on digital infrastructure development and broadband affordability. It is also directly linked to Component 2 of WARDIP, which aims to foster an enabling regulatory environment, stimulate private sector investment, and facilitate cross-border infrastructure development to support the region's digital integration goals. Delivering the World Bank's intervention, Rocío Sánchez Figueroa, Senior Digital Development Specialist and Task Team Leader for WARDIP, underlined the critical role of regional organisations like ECOWAS in promoting harmonised digital markets. She stressed that lessons from other global regions show that regulatory coherence, strategic investment, and strong institutional coordination are key to lowering broadband costs and unlocking economic potential. Over the course of the workshop, participants are exploring five core thematic areas: regional policy and regulatory frameworks; broadband accessibility and affordability; Universal Service Funds; the establishment of a Regional Internet Exchange Point; and the role of satellite technology in addressing coverage gaps. The workshop continues on 8 May 2025, culminating in the validation of key recommendations and a roadmap for coordinated implementation under ECOWAS Vision 2050. This initiative reflects the Commission's commitment to a people-centred and results-driven approach, ensuring that digital transformation policies are not only technically sound, but also tangibly improve the lives of citizens—by expanding access to information, creating jobs, and enhancing economic inclusion. It also responds to the expectations of policymakers, regulators, and development actors seeking greater alignment and accountability in the region's digital agenda. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
