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Web Summit Expands With New Middle East Event In Qatar
Thousands of attendees from around the world will gather at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center in March 2024.
Today, the world’s largest technology conference, Web Summit, announced the launch of a new event in the Middle East, titled Web Summit Qatar, to be held at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) in March 2024.
The tech expo will be the first of its kind in Qatar, and will bring together thousands of entrepreneurs and investors from around the globe, as well as the next generation of startups disrupting the tech landscape.
The Middle Eastern event is part of Web Summit’s ongoing strategy to widen its reach into new regions and economies, and will provide a wealth of opportunities to connect the global tech community.
After receiving bids from several regional cities, Web Summit chose Doha as the new event’s host. Web Summit plans to deepen existing relationships in the region through Web Summit Qatar, which will run for at least five years.
Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East
“Web Summit in Lisbon has become the world’s largest technology conference, and our ambition is to make Web Summit ever more global. Establishing a new event in the Middle East is part of that broader plan for Web Summit,” says CEO of Web Summit Paddy Cosgrave.
Qatar’s technology sector is evolving rapidly, with a thriving start-up scene supported by both the government and the private sector. The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report 2021 ranks Qatar 28th globally for its capacity for innovation, ahead of other countries in the region. Qatar is a heavy investor in its technology infrastructure, with projects focusing on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
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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”.
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