News
ConFex Saudi Arabia To Take Place On October 23rd & 24th
The expo showcases how digitalization and cutting-edge tech are shaping the construction and real estate industries in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
The Construction Technology ConFex KSA (CTF KSA) is a two-day immersive event exploring the technology revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s Built Environment and Giga Project. Co-organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), ConFex takes place at the Crowne Plaza, RDC Hotel in Riyadh on October 23rd and 24th.
Confex will showcase how digitalization and advanced tech are shaping construction and real estate in Saudi Arabia. Event organizers expect over 600 attendees, who will join 60 expert speakers and thought leaders in architecture, design, engineering, and construction, plus influential policymakers and investors.
Event themes include advanced technologies driving the built environment, Smart & Future Cities, Digital & Innovative Deliveries, Data Intelligence, and Sustainability. Speaking topics and workshops will cover a wide range of subjects, including:
- Virtual construction
- Decarbonization of the built environment
- The internet of things (IoT)
- Machine learning
- Predictive data analytics
- Digital twins
- Building information modeling (BIM)
- Building management system software
Confex is an important event for the construction and smart city technology sector. With the industry projected to research a value of nearly $15 billion by 2027, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming home to some of the world’s most advanced and futuristic building concepts.
Also Read: Bahrain Plans To Develop 300 Smart Factories By 2026
The Saudi Arabia Giga Project program — a cornerstone of the Vision 2030 program — is the world’s most extensive civil infrastructure initiative. Meanwhile, developments like NEOM, with its massive $500 billion budget, represent the largest construction projects globally. Furthermore, Red Sea tourism projects, valued at $8.5 billion, place a large emphasis on digital and smart delivery, while the $2.4 billion Roshn housing project aims to cut emissions by an estimated 18%.
To learn more about Saudi Arabia’s biggest Construction Technology Confex, head to the official website.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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