News
Middle East Tech Enthusiasts Prepare For Step Conference 2023
The highly-anticipated 11th edition of the popular tech festival takes place in Dubai Internet City between February 22nd-23rd, 2023.
Step Conference is a much-anticipated event in the calendar of every tech enthusiast and startup visionary in the Middle East. This year, the event is set to return to Dubai with a retro-futurism-themed lineup of events. From the DTC Hub and 1-on-1 investor meetings to major tech reveals, workshops, and entertainment, the expo is shaping up to be a highlight of this year’s conference circuit.
As well as offering the opportunity to mix with top entrepreneurs and gain insights from industry leaders, Step Conference will explore the latest trends across 6 content tracks:
- Learn from global influencers in the tech and startup scene with the Start Track, covering success stories, growth, fundraising, and more.
- Dive into the latest financial technology trends with the Fintech Track, including blockchain, digital currencies, and cashless payments.
- Explore the future of transport, smart cities, and AI with the Future Track, featuring industry leaders in autonomous tech.
- Uncover the latest trends in digital marketing, advertising tech, and more with the Digital Track.
- Discover the latest lifestyle and well-being tech with the Wellness Track.
- Join the Earth Track to explore Greentech, sustainability, and environmental impact.
As well as a packed schedule of events, Step 2023 hosts a packed lineup of industry leaders and innovators. This year’s roster of speakers includes representatives from Morning Brew, Pattern, Velocity Global, and Hotjar.
If you’re a budding startup entrepreneur or simply want to hear about the latest from the world of technology, don’t miss out on Step Conference 2023. Tickets are still available through the official website, where entering code DSC-FZM3 will help you out with a special Early Bird price!
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”.
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
Hyper-Personalization: How Far Is Too Far?
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
