News

IDC Alliance Event Is Set To Bring Together ICT Leaders

The theme of the IDC Alliance event for this year is “BUILD,” and it revolves around several building blocks for attainable future growth.

Published

4 years ago

September 14, 2022

David Morelo

idc alliance event is set to bring together ict leaders

The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector is driving innovation across the rest of the economic sectors, providing innovative solutions to real-life problems. This innovation is almost always made possible by mutually beneficial partnerships that allow for effective collaboration and quicker identification of opportunities.

International Data Corporation (IDC) is set to bring together ICT leaders from the MEA region at the IDC Alliance flagship event to provide them with unparalleled opportunities to foster solid partner ecosystems and discuss the latest channel and alliance trends.

“Today, technology providers and vendors are presented with a golden opportunity to gain a competitive edge and address the vastly changed needs and demands of customers in a timely and cost-effective manner by seeking out technology and managed services partners,” explains IDC.

The theme of the IDC Alliance event for this year is “BUILD,” and it revolves around the following building blocks for attainable future growth:

BUILD a sustainable base of new customers.
BUILD a viable marketing strategy.
BUILD a long-lasting unique IP.
BUILD stronger internal practices.
BUILD a deeper support ecosystem.

“As partners hunt for new customers, strive for increased brand awareness, and realize the need to differentiate, a series of BUILD presentations will unlock many of the most common challenges,” adds IDC.

The event will take place from November 8 to November 10 at the InterContinental Resort Fujairah, UAE, a beachfront property located on the shoreline of the Al Aqah beach and beneath the Hajjar mountains.

After check in, the entire first day of the event will be dedicated to an icebreaker dinner on the beach where shorts and flip-flops are welcome. The second day will start with a quick catch-up and continue with a series of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and more informal networking opportunities. A similar program is also planned for the third day, which ends at 15:00 with a sign-up opportunity for the next IDC Alliance event.

If you would like to attend the event, then you can register on its website. Networkers are required to pay a registration fee of $1,500 USD, which covers all accommodation, conferencing, meals, and activities for the duration of the entire event.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

4 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

Also Read: This UAE Platform Wants To Replace Fashion Photo Shoots With AI

The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.