Latest News from TECHx
TECHx
9 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
Masdar City Launches 24/7 Support and MasdarCom
Home » Smart Cities » Masdar City Launches 24/7 Support and MasdarCom Masdar City Free Zone has announced a major advancement in its business service offerings. It has become the first Free Zone in the UAE to introduce both a 24/7 customer support centre and a new digital platform, MasdarCom. These developments align with the UAE's digital transformation goals and Abu Dhabi's Economic Vision 2030. They also reflect Masdar City's commitment to innovation and support for its business community. MasdarCom is a community-driven digital ecosystem. It is designed to connect companies within Masdar City. The platform allows businesses to promote their services, collaborate with others, and manage transactions through a single, centralised interface. In addition, MasdarCom will be accessible to global users. This is expected to boost the international visibility of UAE-based enterprises. Alongside the platform, Masdar City Free Zone revealed its new 24/7 Customer Support Centre. It is the first of its kind in any UAE Free Zone. The support centre will assist tenants via phone, email, Microsoft Teams, and self-service kiosks. Key services include licensing, visa processing, and payments. Ahmed Baghoum, CEO of Masdar City, stated that MasdarCom is more than a platform. He described it as a transformative step in Free Zone support. According to Baghoum, the launch ensures businesses have the tools, access, and help they need at any time. He said this move positions Masdar City as a connected and future-focused business hub. During the announcement event, two new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed: The first, with Emirates NBD, aims to simplify banking for businesses in the Free Zone and support joint initiatives. The second, with Torry Harris Business Solutions, sets a framework for co-marketing efforts and digital tool integration for SMEs and entrepreneurs. The event included a Town Hall attended by government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners. Discussions covered Abu Dhabi's role in the global economy and how Masdar City Free Zone supports sustainable, innovation-led growth. Panelists featured representatives from ADIO, ADRA, Emirates NBD, Cell Lab 7, and The Catalyst.
TECHx
9 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
TAQA Announces AED37B Investment for Data Hub Power
Home » Smart Sectors » Energy » TAQA Announces AED37B Investment for Data Hub Power Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) has announced plans to invest over AED37 billion to support the power needs of Abu Dhabi's growing data and artificial intelligence hub. The announcement was made by Jasim Husain Thabet, TAQA's Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, during the World Utilities Congress 2025. He revealed the investments align with TAQA's broader strategy to provide clean, certified, and reliable energy for critical infrastructure. TAQA, with a market capitalisation of around AED360 billion, is among the top five companies in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East for electricity generation, transmission, and water desalination. The company operates in 25 countries. Over the past four years, TAQA has doubled its electricity production capacity. It now generates 56 gigawatts—more than the total electricity consumed by the United Kingdom. Key developments were also reported: TAQA acquired an 875-megawatt gas-powered station in Uzbekistan with Mubadala. The move supports Uzbekistan's energy transition and opens access to Central Asian markets. TAQA also acquired 'Transmission Investment', a UK-based platform focused on energy and utility infrastructure. Further, the company is building a 1-gigawatt gas turbine power station to enhance its clean energy portfolio. In partnership with Masdar, in which TAQA holds a major stake, it is developing 5 gigawatts of solar energy backed by 19 gigawatt-hours of battery storage. This integrated project aims to provide a steady 1-gigawatt energy supply for 24 hours. It is expected to become the world's largest solar-battery initiative of its kind. TAQA has announced it will invest AED75 billion by 2030 to triple its electricity generation capacity to 150 gigawatts. As part of this strategy, the company plans to develop water desalination plants with a combined daily capacity of 1.3 billion gallons. Two-thirds of this will use efficient reverse osmosis technology.
TECHx
9 hours ago
- Health
- TECHx
Abu Dhabi Boosts Healthcare Cybersecurity Readiness
Home » Emerging technologies » Cyber Security » Abu Dhabi Boosts Healthcare Cybersecurity Readiness The Department of Health, Abu Dhabi (DoH), in partnership with the UAE Cyber Security Council, announced the successful completion of a comprehensive cybersecurity drill. The initiative aimed to strengthen cyber resilience in the UAE healthcare sector. The exercise was held at Bab Al Bahr Hotel in Abu Dhabi and brought together participants from various DoH-affiliated entities. The drill featured simulated cyberattack scenarios. It tested the readiness of healthcare institutions to respond to digital threats. Officials reported that the exercise evaluated the robustness of communication protocols and incident response mechanisms. It also demonstrated the importance of safeguarding patient data and securing medical services during cyber incidents. Moreover, the exercise revealed best practices in cybersecurity behaviours and digital infrastructure protection. The goal was to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services, even during cyber threats. Dr. Mohammed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, praised DoH's efforts. He reported that the Council is fully committed to supporting government entities with advanced training and digital safety tools. He highlighted that empowering professionals with cybersecurity skills is vital for protecting sensitive data and treatment files. According to the Council, cybersecurity is a national priority. It emphasized the need for a secure digital infrastructure across all sectors, including healthcare, education, and energy. The Council also reported ongoing efforts to promote digital resilience through technical guidance, advisory support, and specialized training. DoH showcased its Medical Command Operations Centre during the drill. The demonstration highlighted key protocols for protecting patient data and maintaining service continuity. Officials noted that the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi was the first health regulator in the UAE and the region to launch a tailored cybersecurity strategy for the healthcare sector. This strategy serves as a holistic framework for digital safety. It outlines core principles for proactively addressing cyber threats and deploying structured response systems. The initiative reflects the UAE leadership's forward-thinking approach to navigating digital transformation challenges. Key highlights of the cybersecurity drill included: Simulation of cyberattack scenarios and response evaluation Presentation of digital healthcare services and data protection protocols This effort reinforces the commitment of both DoH and the UAE Cyber Security Council to secure national health infrastructure and build long-term cyber resilience in healthcare.
TECHx
18 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
SAMENA Council Summit 2025 Hosts Huawei Techco Forum
Home » Top stories » Huawei Hosts Techco Forum at SAMENA Council Summit 2025 Huawei successfully hosted the Techco Transformation Forum during the SAMENA Council Leaders' Summit 2025 in Dubai. The forum brought together leading telecom carriers, industry organizations, and analysts. They explored how telecom operators in the Middle East and Central Asia can shift from traditional telcos to technology-driven companies, or 'techcos.' Huawei revealed that this shift is vital to shaping the region's digital economy. It comes amid rapid developments in 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and artificial intelligence (AI). Speakers at the forum emphasized that the convergence of 5G-A and AI is a major leap forward. It offers new opportunities for growth, operations, network performance, and user experience. Huawei introduced a new framework called Techco1.0. It focuses on three key pillars: Servitization : Offering Everything-as-a-Service to meet digital needs and drive monetization. : Offering Everything-as-a-Service to meet digital needs and drive monetization. Platformization : Shifting from siloed systems to unified platforms for better efficiency and growth. : Shifting from siloed systems to unified platforms for better efficiency and growth. Intelligentization: Embedding AI across processes to unlock monetization potential. Allen Tang, President of ICT Marketing & Solution Sales at Huawei Middle East and Central Asia, stated the telecom industry is undergoing major changes. He reported that redefining business models and building a future-ready foundation is essential for growth. Dr. Ayman Elnashar, VP of Technology Strategy at e& UAE, noted the importance of resilience and innovation. He said the company is shifting from a connectivity provider to a digital service orchestrator, with AI and cloud at its core. He also appreciated Huawei's support in modernizing their core network. The forum featured a panel discussion titled 'Telco to Techco: Best Way Forward for Telecom Operators.' Emaad Ahmed from Huawei moderated the session. Speakers included: Wilson Xavier, Research Director at IDC Dr. Yousuf Salim Mohamed Al Hinai from Omantel Dr. Ayman Elnashar from e& UAE Izhar Ahmad from the SAMENA Telecommunications Council The panel reported on key trends, challenges, and solutions in Techco transformation. Participants also shared strategies and success stories. Wilson Xavier stated that the strong turnout and deep insights show the industry's readiness for transformation. Dr. Yousuf Salim Mohamed Al Hinai said the event helped set a clear direction. He added that collaboration is key to achieving a smarter, more service-centric telecom future. Huawei reported that the forum will contribute to advancing Techco strategies globally. It aims to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation. The SAMENA Council Leaders' Summit 2025 was held on May 26 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. This year's theme was 'Intelligent & Sustainable Transformation of Digital Economies.' The summit gathered ICT policy, regulatory, and business leaders from regions including: South Asia Middle East and North Africa Central Asia Africa Europe and North America The event addressed the need for smart and sustainable digital growth across SAMENA Council's strategic markets.
TECHx
18 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
Google Cloud Summit Doha Marks Two-Year Milestone
Home » Tech Value Chain » Global Brands » Google Cloud Summit Doha Marks Two-Year Milestone Google Cloud hosted its second annual Google Cloud Summit in Doha. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology. The summit gathered over 1,500 industry leaders, developers, and IT professionals. It marked two years since the launch of the Google Cloud Doha region, which has been supporting local innovation. Officials announced new advancements in AI, data analytics, and cloud technologies. Discussions revealed strategic collaborations aimed at accelerating Qatar's digital transformation. A major focus was placed on joint efforts with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). The summit also highlighted: Customer success stories from major Qatari organizations Deep-dive sessions on cybersecurity and data management Executives from Google Cloud and Qatari leaders delivered keynote speeches. They explored AI tools such as Gemini, AI Agents, and NotebookLM. Attendees gained insights into practical cloud solutions and innovation strategies. Mr. Sami Al Shammari, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Operations Affairs at MCIT, reported that the collaboration with Google Cloud has significantly contributed to Qatar's digital goals. He emphasized its role in enhancing infrastructure, delivering secure services, and developing a future-ready workforce. He further revealed that Google Cloud's advanced technologies are improving service delivery and building local talent. This aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030. Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager for Google Cloud in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Iraq, stated the summit celebrates two years of successful partnerships. He added that the Doha region plays a key role in empowering Qatar's public services and digital economy. The event also reported cloud adoption by several major entities in Qatar, including: Al Jazeera Media Network, Aspire, and beIN MEDIA GROUP Ministry of Labour, Qatar Airways, Ooredoo Group, and others Google Cloud reaffirmed its commitment to supporting innovation and digital growth across Qatar.
