News

IDC Prepares To Host 16th Annual Middle East CIO Summit

This year’s event will feature in-depth discussions and presentations, as well as expert-led panel sessions on the hottest information and communications tech issues.

Published

4 years ago

January 10, 2023

Nour Nasir

idc prepares to host 16th annual middle east cio summit

On the 22-23rd of February 2023, IDC will host the 16th edition of its annual Middle East CIO Summit at Dubai’s iconic Atlantis, The Palm hotel.

The digital economy has become a hot topic over the past few years. Web 3.0 and startup culture are gaining rapid traction across the MENA region, and organizations are hungry for information on how best to adapt their business models to suit the demands of modern, tech-savvy customers.

IDC‘s Middle East CIO Summit 2023 takes place under the theme “Enabling the Digital Economy’s Leaders”. It will examine the current state of the digital sector and its impact on citizens, customers, employees, and operations. Presentations and panel sessions will address critical challenges that must be resolved, and experts will outline best practices and strategies to help businesses achieve future success.

As for the event’s format, the venue will incorporate five different “Transformation Zones” showcasing pioneering technological advances in DevOps, customer experience, sustainability, Industry 4.0, and, of course, the Metaverse.

Also Read: Kuwait Aims For Digital Transformation With Google Partnership

“Today, almost every country in the region has a cohesive national vision for a digital economy that focuses on driving local economic value, employment creation, and social development by reaching the underserved. Whether it is accessing essential government services, purchasing products on digital platforms, or the shift to online learning and working, the impact of this mass transition to digital is evident everywhere,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC vice president and regional MD for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa.

IDC’s research shows that internet penetration has reached 100% across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, with over 50% of consumers regularly shopping online. Furthermore, in the UAE, digital payments (and contactless transactions) now account for 80% of all regional purchases, and the market is becoming increasingly reliant on 5g and cloud infrastructure. It seems then that 2023’s Middle East CIO Summit will be a pivotal event, helping businesses to create new customer experiences and drive innovation with their partners.

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

5 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.