Joshua Mathias

Launched by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, the Unified Economic Licence framework consolidates multiple business activities under a single, comprehensive licence. I sat with Mohamed Ghareeb Al Hosani, our Chief Experience Officer at KEZAD Group, to learn what it is and what it means for our clients. #uae #abudhabi #economy

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#IPOs in the GCC are on a roll, as governments progress with their diversification schemes. Read my analysis of a PwC report here - https://lnkd.in/dahEbMva

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The biggest advertising mistakes that advertising agencies are making in the GCC region.

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Let the countdown begin

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced the start of using digital currencies in its financial settlement systems for airlines. This marks a new step toward digitizing financial transactions in this vital sector. Mohamed Al Bakri, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Financial Services and Distribution, stated that digitalization impacts all aspects of our daily lives, including the currencies we use. He noted that the growing use of digital currencies requires IATA’s systems to adapt to meet user needs. #iata #aviation #digital_currencies #airlines

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It's the list that we've been waiting for. Forbes Middle East has just revealed the Middle East’s top 100 CEOs for 2024. Find out who's spearheading the success of some of the most important companies and organisations in the region. #forbesmiddleeast #forbes #ceo #mena

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In a conversation with Communicate, Shahir Sirry, Aramex's Global Creative Director, passionately spoke of their Ramadan video campaign that has received global attention. Directed by Sirry and launched during Ramadan, 'The Undelivered' centers on a parcel bound for Gaza that ultimately does not reach its destination. Sukayna Kazmi #creativecampaigns #exclusiveinsights #marketing #advertising #purposemarketing #middleeast Read the entire interview:

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Great to see #Dubai's proactive approach to AI adoption and integration with the newly launched Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence. What really caught my eye is the inclusion of AI Week in educational institutions as part of the first phase. Currently, there seems to be a disconnect in schools when it comes to attitudes towards AI. On one hand, many schools have strict rules prohibiting the use of AI tools like ChatGPT for assignments. Yet, these same students are expected to graduate and enter a professional world where AI will be embedded in almost every industry. Hopefully, this proactive approach can help demystify AI and nurture a mindset of curiosity and embracing technological progress rather than being intimidated by it. After all, we are going to need an AI-ready workforce. #AI #Dubai #UniversalBlueprint #school

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As the UAE marks its 53rd National Day, I reflect on its remarkable journey of innovation and growth in the region. Under the visionary leadership of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE has positioned itself as a hub for technology, collaboration, and opportunity. Initiatives like the Dubai D33 Agenda, DIFC’s Innovation Hub, and Hub71 in Abu Dhabi are propelling advancements in AI, Blockchain, FinTech, and PropTech, transforming industries such as trade, real estate, and digital banking. The DIFC stands out as a world-class financial and innovation center, attracting entrepreneurs and global businesses to co-create the future. The Middle East is a magnet for global talent, investors, and innovators seeking to shape the next frontier. Having spent 20 years building businesses globally, I’ve seen the Middle East emerge as the place where bold ideas thrive. Now is the time to collaborate, innovate, and drive meaningful impact. Happy UAE National Day! #UAE53 #DIFC #DubaiD33 #Innovation #AI #FinTech #Blockchain #DigitalTransformation #GlobalTalent #MiddleEastOpportunities #Collaboration

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Group CEO’s Global Market Interview How do you see the Qatari economy evolving in the next few years, and what factors do you believe will drive growth? Qatar’s economy is on a solid trajectory for sustained growth, driven by strategic initiatives aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030. Over the next few years, we expect to see continued efforts to diversify the economy, with a clear shift toward a knowledge-based framework that emphasises innovation and sustainability. Key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and education will play pivotal roles in shaping this future. Energy will remain a cornerstone, particularly with the North Field Expansion Project, which will boost LNG production significantly. We are also witnessing rapid advancements in infrastructure and smart city development, which will contribute to Qatar’s overall competitiveness and quality of life. Digital transformation is another major driver of growth, particularly in sectors like banking, where we at QIB are committed to leading the way. How well prepared is the banking sector for potential challenges like swings in energy prices or geopolitical instability? The banking sector in Qatar is well-equipped to manage potential challenges such as fluctuations in energy prices or geopolitical uncertainties. Qatar’s economy has taken significant steps towards diversification, which reduces the direct impact of energy price swings on the broader economy. From a financial standpoint, the banking sector remains robust, with high levels of capitalisation, strong liquidity buffers, and prudent regulatory oversight. These factors ensure that we can withstand external shocks and continue to provide seamless financial services to our clients. At QIB, we have a proactive risk management framework in place that allows us to respond swiftly to market changes, safeguarding both our customers and our business.  What are some of the key highlights from QIB’s financial performance over the last year? QIB’s financial performance over the past year reflects our continued success and leadership in Qatar’s banking sector. We have achieved several important milestones, demonstrating our strength and resilience in an evolving market. In the first half of 2024, QIB reported a 5.6% year-on-year increase in net profit to QAR2bn($567m). This is a testament to our strategic focus on sustainable growth and operational efficiency. Our total income for the period grew by 12.4% to QAR5.6bn, reflecting the robustness of our diverse revenue streams. QIB’s total assets stood at QAR 192.3bn, marking a 4.9% year-on-year increase, while customer deposits grew by 5% to hit QAR 122.7bn. These strong financial results, and the fact that the bank’s cost-to-income ratio is the best in Qatar, reflect our ability to innovate and grow despite global and local challenges, positioning us to support Qatar’s economic development in the years to come. https://lnkd.in/dssPGVYU

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🇦🇪UAE Telecom Service Provider du Now Accepts Cryptocurrency Payments Via TripleA! 📱Congratulations to Fahad Al Hassawi CEO of du pay and team! This innovative move marks a significant step in integrating crypto into everyday transactions, making it easier than ever for customers to pay their bills with digital assets. Why This Matters: • Convenience: Seamlessly pay for your telecom services using crypto. • Innovation: Du is leading the way in embracing modern payment solutions. • Security: TripleA ensures secure and efficient transactions. This initiative aligns perfectly with the UAE’s vision to be at the forefront of technological advancements and financial innovation. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to see the rise of crypto in everyday life! 🚀 #UAE #Du #CryptoPayments #TripleA #Innovation #Telecom #DigitalAssets #Fintech #Blockchain #CryptoAdoption

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#AI and #generativeAI remain the focus for growth in UAE businesses. Read my report here - https://lnkd.in/dBn3TETE

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#SaudiArabia's leading #retail #banks are facing a critical juncture, as revealed by a new report from PwC Middle East and DataEQ. While overall consumer sentiment towards these institutions has seen a slight improvement, significant operational challenges persist, hindering their reputation and customer #satisfaction. The report, based on an analysis of over 62,800 online conversations, highlights the urgent need for banks to address these issues to maintain a #competitive #edge in the evolving financial landscape. ▪️Despite the slight uptick in overall sentiment, the report reveals a wide disparity in performance across individual banks. Five banks, including بنك البلاد | Bank Albilad and alrajhi bank, secured positive net sentiment scores, while four others lagged with negative scores. This variance underscores the need for a focused approach to customer service and operational efficiency. The report emphasizes that while attractive product offerings are important, they are not enough; excellent #customer #service and #reliable #digital #platforms are essential for acquiring and retaining customers in today's competitive market. ▪️Digital channels, especially #mobile #banking #apps, are increasingly becoming the preferred mode of interaction for #Saudi #consumers. However, the #report identifies #technical #issues, downtime, and difficulties in completing transactions as major pain points. To capitalize on the growing preference for digital banking, Saudi banks must prioritize resolving these issues and ensuring a seamless and user-friendly experience. By actively listening to customer feedback and investing in robust customer service improvement programs, banks can strengthen their reputation and foster greater customer loyalty. ▪️The PwC Middle East and DataEQ report serves as a wake-up call for Saudi Arabia's retail banks. It underscores the importance of operational excellence and customer-centricity in building a resilient and successful banking sector. By addressing customer service gaps and enhancing the digital experience, banks can #solidify their #position in the #market and #navigate the challenges of the evolving #financial #landscape with greater #confidence.

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I think loving Dubai, the city I call ‘home,’ is just one aspect, but fully immersing oneself in the entirety of what Dubai/UAE offers, especially in the digital realm, is a whole other ball game. It was a privilege speaking with Dr. Kuwaiti about all things cybersecurity in the region 🇦🇪 There's so much more to discover than what the average person might realize about the initiatives underway in the region. These initiatives offer a glimpse into the incredible progress the UAE has made over the past 52 years, providing a deeper appreciation for its remarkable growth. How many countries can boast such significant progress in such a short time? 🙏🏼 My conversation with Dr. Kuwaiti certainly provided a deeper understanding, shedding light on UAE's future plans to further fortify the region's cyber infrastructure 🌐

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Exciting news! Following the success of the first video featuring Mashreq , Visa , and #MoSalah, with over 15M views in just a few days, we're thrilled to share the second video explaining the concept a little further. The video highlights how small steps can lead to big things, just like Mo Salah's inspiring story. Our goal is to make banking easy and worry-free for you, so you can take control of your finances. Join us on our journey towards financial freedom through our app! Mashreq NEO #banking #finance #moneymanagement #campaign #hit #performance #growth #appmarketing #advertising #branding ##awareness #reach #mass #fintech #startup #ecommerce #football #salah #marketing #growthhacking ##marketingwins #bankingapp #seo #sem #ppc #meta #google #tiktok #influencers #native #ai #programmatic Mashreq

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Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, talks about the importance of our participation today at the Global Prompt Engineering Championship, the world's biggest AI prompt challenge, as the Strategic Partner. Learn more in this video. 
#DubaiChamberOfDigitalEconomy #FutureInFocus DUBAI FUTURE FOUNDATION

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SAUDI AIRLINES transports 8.3 million passengers during the first quarter of 2024, an increase of 19% #SaudiAirlines announced its operational rates report during the first quarter of the current year 2024, which reported transporting more than 8.3 million passengers on domestic and international #flights, an increase of 19%, compared to the same period last year. A press release published on the Saudi Airlines account via LinkedIn stated that the total number of regular and additional flights of the company during the first quarter of this year amounted to 46.8 thousand flights, an increase of 11%. Flight hours also recorded 144.7 thousand hours, an increase of 11%. It also achieved an average Outstanding in punctual flight schedules, reaching 89.3%. At the international sector level, the number of passengers on #Saudi #Airlines flights reached 4.7 million passengers, an increase of 25%. They were transported on 20.9 thousand flights, an increase of 13%, with a total of 100.7 thousand flight hours, and flight schedule compliance reached 88.5%. The company explained that the number of passengers on Saudi Airlines domestic flights reached 3.6 million passengers, an increase of 11%, as the number of flights reached 25.9 thousand flights, an increase of 9%, and the planes flew at a rate of 44 thousand flight hours, an increase of 9%, and an overall rate of flight schedule discipline of 91.5%. . In this context, Engineer Ibrahim AlOmar, Director General of the Saudi Group, said that the 2024 quarter report confirms the efficiency of the operational plan, its achievement of the required rates, and its keeping pace with the goals of the national strategy for #transport and #logistics services. He added that the 25% #growth rate achieved internationally in the number of passengers confirms the Saudi group’s keenness to continue its strategy aimed at connecting the world to the Kingdom. He pointed out the importance of continuous work during the coming period, which will witness the launch of the plan for the Hajj season 1445 AH, as well as the plan for the summer season of 2025, which requires mobilizing all capabilities and working with full #energy. It is noteworthy that the Saudi group’s operations reach more than 100 destinations on 4 continents, with a fleet that currently stands at 143 #aircraft , while it is scheduled during the next few years to increase its aircraft to enable it to grow in flights and seat capacity and reach new international destinations, with the aim of serving the #Hajj , #Umrah and #tourism sector. , #Finance, #Business, #Entertainment and #Sports. GACA - General Authority of Civil Aviation - Saudi Arabia Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services #airports #investment #transport #aviation #saudiarabia  #airlines #tourism #saudiarabia #development #abudhabi #media #tourism #culture #saudiarabia #airlines #tourism #aviation #umrah #covid #covid19 

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In an exclusive interview, Mohammed Al Ramsi, Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority Deputy Director General for the telecommunications sector, elaborates achieving excellence in a fast-paced #digital_era.

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