Tech
Malaysia’s chip sector navigates tariff turmoil and rising regional competition
The Southeast Asian nation, the world’s sixth-largest semiconductor exporter, faces mounting pressure to retain investment and relevance in a fast-evolving global tech landscape.
Iran, Russia launch second phase of banking payment system integration
Iran and Russia rolled out the second phase of their Shetab-Mir payment network integration, strengthening financial ties between the two nations
Saudi Crown Prince launches Humain AI company under PIF
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the launch of Humain, a company owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Indonesia’s data centre industry: huge market, limited infrastructure
Under President Prabowo’s administration, the government has pledged support for the development of the data centre sector to accelerate digital transformation and drive a technology-based economy.
Amazon to build $4bn data centres and cloud infrastructure in Chile
Amazon's cloud computing division has announced plans to invest $4bn in Chile to build its first data centres and cloud infrastructure in the country.
X blocks jailed Imamoglu’s account in Turkey
Opposition leader says move is "digital pillar" of coup mounted by regime to stop Turks electing president they want.
MercadoLibre records profit surge amid bustling Argentine market activity
Latin American e-commerce giant MercadoLibre posted a 44% net profit increase in the first quarter, reaching $494mn and surpassing analysts' expectations.
Bulgaria’s Shelly Group expands to Poland
IoT company picks Warsaw for regional expansion after announcing decision to exit the US.
CZ visits KGZ to talk BTC and BNB
Bishkek takes step to introduce blockchain technology on national level.
Uber to pay $700mn for 85% stake in Turkey delivery unit of Alibaba’s Trendyol
Trendyol GO delivered 200mn+ orders in 2024 and generated $2bn in gross bookings.
InDrive pioneering a sustainable "fair" ride-hailing business
The Siberia-born InDrive ride-hailing service is doing something special. It cut margins, offers the cheapest prices possible and is generous to its largely freelance staff. IIt is pioneering a new "fair" business model that works.
UN agencies launch programme to strengthen youth resilience in Uzbekistan to cybercrime, digital violence
Growing concerns over risks posed by rapid digitalisation of society.
First-ever Uzbek-language startup guidebook series launched to support aspiring entrepreneurs
“In every region I’ve visited, I’ve seen talented young people full of ideas — but they struggle to find resources they can actually use," says Startup Garage founder Mukhammad Khalil.
Turkish unicorn Dream Games raises $2.5bn in private equity round at $5bn valuation
Games developer's Royal Match ranked third in the world for the most in-app purchases in 2024, generating $1.4bn in revenues.
Fund III of Turkey’s largest tech venture capital outfit Revo raises $86mn
Focus on fintech maintained. Bigger roles for B2B SaaS, cybersecurity and health technology, and energy and gaming introduced as dedicated verticals.
Sanctions have spurred innovation from Russian cheese to turbines
Extreme sanctions placed on Russia hit industrial sectors the hardest, which have been almost entirely dependent on imports of high quality foreign made machinery for almost all of the last three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Poland’s e-commerce turnover rises 15.2% m/m in March to PLN7.40bn
Poland’s e-commerce sector recorded a 15.2% month-on-month increase in turnover in March, reaching $1.80bn, according to data from the Central Statistical Office.
COMMENT: Europe could benefit from partnering with Armenian tech innovation
Armenia is a democracy with a young, tech-savvy population and a hunger to scale, writes Samson Avetian of Armenia-based investment platform eqwefy.
Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents
Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.
Serbia’s gaming sector sees 22% revenue surge in 2024
Serbian Games Association report shows a maturing sector with robust output, increased gender diversity and sustained innovation, despite signs of slowing job growth.