News

Lebanon’s Beirut Digital District (BDD) Partners With Zoho

The collaboration will help entrepreneurs and startups in the BDD community during uncertain economic times, offering full access to Zoho’s comprehensive suite of cloud applications.

Published

4 years ago

December 14, 2022

Nour Nasir

lebanon's beirut digital district bdd partners with zoho

Leading cloud software provider Zoho has announced that it will be teaming up with Beirut Digital District (BDD), a unique digital and creative community hub in Lebanon, to support local entrepreneurship during a time of increased economic disruption.

For those unaware of the current situation in Lebanon, an unprecedented series of events has led to a collapse of the local banking system and a rapid devaluation of the national currency, leaving the nation in a state of turmoil. Despite the bleak outlook, Beirut Digital District has remained a beacon of hope for startups and entrepreneurs, and continued to champion innovation and winning growth strategies.

As part of the collaboration, BDD network member businesses will gain access to Zoho’s complete suite of digital solutions, including accounting, marketing, communication, and other productivity software, using a complementary digital wallet loaded with up to $1,000 of credit.

“We are thrilled to kick off this partnership with BDD […] helping them improve efficiency, reduce costs and quickly adapt to changing market needs. Through this partnership, we aim to digitally empower Lebanon’s businesses with our latest, scalable, and cost-effective solutions, as well as serve the community by sharing our expertise,” says Ali Shabdar, Regional Director, MEA at Zoho.

Also Read: The UAE Has Launched A Program To Assist 100 Startups

So what are the benefits of the Zoho collaboration for Beirut Digital District members? First and foremost, Zoho’s cloud platform offers a comprehensive suite of services, allowing businesses to run their entire operation from a central interface, with seamless integration and without multiple vendor contracts and compatibility hassles. User experience is a high priority for Zoho, along with a privacy-centric approach and a welcome lack of advertising.

If you’re a Lebanese reader keen to learn more about eligibility for the Zoho deal, the company has built a registration page containing further information and a form for businesses to submit their applications.

News

For etisalat, More Bandwidth Is A Matter Of Digital Sovereignty

The etisalat group plans to expand its international capacity from 20 Tbps to more than 500 Tbps by 2030, with new routes designed for speed and resilience.

Published

2 days ago

October 6, 2026

Nour Nasir

for etisalat, more bandwidth is a matter of digital sovereignty

Emirates News Agency

By 2030, etisalat group plans to lift its international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps), more than 25 times the 20 Tbps it has today. The group presented the expansion as preparation for rising AI demand and an important move for the UAE’s digital sovereignty.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, witnessed the launch of the project, which covers the UAE and international markets. Sheikh Mansour is also Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority, etisalat group’s main shareholder.

He emphasized the role of coordinated national efforts in advancing the UAE’s AI and digital economy ambitions. “AI is a central pillar in our development journey moving forward,” he said, adding that developing the country’s digital capabilities would empower every institution, public and private, to build and innovate with AI “at the scale the coming decade will demand”.

“This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not simply adopt AI, but govern it and build with it,” said H.E Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of etisalat group. “That requires digital infrastructure at a scale that would prepare us for the future”. He cast greater international connectivity as a strategic answer to the challenges of processing and moving data globally.

Also Read: RØDE’s Low-Profile Studio Arm Is Designed To Stay Out Of Shot

Beyond raw bandwidth, the expansion will introduce new connectivity routes intended to improve reliability and efficiency, and Alzaabi tied them directly to the sovereignty goal. “Delivered through diversified routes and low-latency design, the project is set to keep the country’s connection to the global digital economy fast, direct and resilient, while ensuring the UAE’s digital sovereignty,” he said.

He also linked the plan to the group’s 50-year commitment to building infrastructure for the nation. The announcement didn’t mention what the expansion will cost. Nor did it name the new routes or say who will build them, the details that would show what digital sovereignty means in practice.