News

UAE Introduces Program To Bolster Intellectual Property

The launch of the IP Ecosystem program will protect creators, boost growth, and attract foreign investment amidst a surge in trademark filings.

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

Nour Nasir

uae introduces program to bolster intellectual property

UAE Ministry Of Economy

The UAE’s Ministry of Economy has unveiled a program geared towards enhancing the protection of intellectual property, amidst a notable uptick in trademark filings within the UAE.

The IP Ecosystem initiative is poised not only to assist inventors and innovators in safeguarding their creations but also to serve as a driver of growth, attracting increased foreign investment, stated Minister of the Economy Abdulla bin Touq on Wednesday.

“The UAE recognizes the importance of putting in place an integrated legislative framework that promotes and encourages creativity, innovation and comprehensive intellectual property protection for talented individuals, skilled professionals, creators, innovators and entrepreneurs in the country,” explained Minister of the Economy Abdulla bin Touq.

The program is also aligned with the UAE’s vision of becoming a global hub for the new economy and the most prosperous society worldwide by 2031. The IP Ecosystem program is underpinned by 11 initiatives encompassing pivotal economic and creative sectors of the UAE, including bolstered backing for new technologies alongside student outreach endeavors.

Upgrading the protections afforded under IP laws and facilitating growth for research and development-centric projects are core tenets of the new initiative. Additionally, the UAE government aims to elevate ministry services, particularly in artificial intelligence, positioning them as nationally marketable products on the international stage.

Also Read: Declining Gaming Revenues Bring Middle East Opportunities

With the UAE prioritizing the advancement of creators and innovators as part of its new economy agenda, there has been a substantial surge in trademark applications during 2023. Ministry of Economy data revealed a nearly 10% year-on-year increase in trademark application filings.

Moreover, registered trademarks experienced an uptick of nearly 3%, while registrations for intellectual works soared by a massive 29.5%. Patent applications also witnessed a robust annual surge of 19.5%, totaling 3,415 last year.

The UAE’s legislative and policy strides in recent years have led to substantial expansion in the new economy sectors, with an increasing number of individuals and companies capitalizing on the nation’s growth potential. As of November, the ministry reported that the tally of business licenses tied to creative activities registered in the country had reached 932,000 by the close of the first half of 2023.

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.