News

Sheikh Hamdan Says Amazon Is Vital To Dubai’s Digital Growth

The eCommerce powerhouse will feature 100,000 small and medium enterprises by 2026.

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2023

Nour Nasir

Amazon

Amazon currently displays 50,000 local and international retailers on the Amazon.ae arm of its website but intends to double this figure by 2026, spotlighting 100,000 small and medium businesses while offering training and qualifications to help launch applications on digital platforms.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, applauded Amazon’s announcement, which fits well with the UAE’s plans for digital economy expansion.

sheikh hamdan amazon dubai digital economy expansion

“Dubai has positioned itself as a thriving center for the digital economy [and] I welcome Amazon’s plans to showcase 100,000 businesses, including local SMEs, on Amazon.ae by 2026,” said Sheikh Hamdan on Twitter.

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The initiative would give Emirati companies a global platform, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 aim to double the size of the economy over the next ten years, transforming Dubai into one of the world’s top three global cities.

Amazon’s announcement will offer UAE entrepreneurs a broader reach to worldwide markets, putting their products in front of 300 million customers. Business owners will also be able to outsource fulfillment to Amazon, alleviating any potential shipping headaches.

News

Google Pay Launches In Lebanon With Support From Multiple Banks

Bank Audi, Neo Digital Bank, and Whish Money are all offering support for Mastercard and Visa cardholders.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 25, 2025

Nour Nasir

google pay launches in lebanon with support from multiple banks

neo Bank Audi

Google Pay has officially launched in Lebanon, allowing Android users to make secure, contactless payments via their smartphones. The rollout has been quickly supported by BLOM, BLF, Whish Money, Bank Audi, and its digital banking offshoot Neo Digital Bank. Customers of all three services can now add eligible Mastercard and Visa payment cards to their Google Wallets.

The integration enables in-store tap-to-pay transactions, as well as online and in-app purchases, using the same cards users already carry. For Bank Audi and Neo Digital Bank, the launch covers Mastercard products; for Whish Money, BLOM, and BLF it includes Visa cards. Payments are processed through the Google Pay platform, which maintains cardholder privacy while extending standard card protections.

To begin using the service, customers can download the Google Wallet app from Google Play, select “Add to Wallet,” and follow a short verification process. Once set up, payments can be made with a single tap — eliminating the need to carry physical cards or cash.

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“This launch represents a significant milestone in our commitment to digital innovation and customer convenience,” said Toufic Koussa, CEO at Whish Money. “By making Whish Visa Card available on Google Pay, we’re enabling our customers to make everyday transactions faster, more secure, and more inclusive. It’s about giving them the tools they need to transact seamlessly, wherever they are”.

The move follows the official activation of Google Pay in Lebanon on June 24, 2025, and marks a notable expansion of mobile payment options in a market where Apple Pay has yet to gain traction. Google’s entry is expected to increase digital wallet adoption among Android users and pave the way for further collaborations with regional financial institutions.