Category: Uncategorized

The Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development hosted Tuesday the fifth workshop, “Doing Business in the Arab World,” in Athens, alongside the sixth roundtable discussion, “Meet the Arab Ambassadors.”

The roundtable, moderated by Rashad Mabger, the chamber’s secretary-general, welcomed 88 business leaders from 67 Greek companies.

It featured discussions on Arab-Greek relations with participation from several ambassadors, including Omar Amer (Egypt), Saad Alammar (Saudi Arabia), Mohammed Sbihi (Morocco), Mansour Saad Alolaimi (Kuwait), and Zuhair Ensour (Jordan). They addressed their countries’ relations with Greece, investment opportunities, and prospects for enhancing bilateral trade and business collaboration.

Egypt’s Ambassador Amer highlighted the growing economic and trade ties between Egypt and Greece, referencing key strategic projects in the energy sector, such as the electrical interconnection initiative.

He also pointed out promising investment opportunities in infrastructure, port connectivity, maritime transport, and joint tourism, which align with the mutual interests of both nations. He elaborated on the incentives that Egypt offers to attract foreign investments.

The second session featured Ambassadors Souad Trabelsi (Tunisia) and Ali Khalfan Al-Mansouri (Qatar), along with Chargés d’Affaires Firas Al Rashidi (Syria), Amjd Elyas (Sudan), Marwan Francis (Lebanon), and Adra Benboudiaf (Algeria).

Moderated by Haris Lambropoulos, president of the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments, the speakers highlighted their countries’ investment environments and preferred sectors to enhance trade ties and partnerships with Greece.

Harry Theoharis, a member of the Hellenic Parliament and candidate for the UN Tourism Secretary General position, reiterated his commitment to bolstering Arab-Greek relations across business and cultural sectors, building on his previous role as minister of tourism and vice minister of economy.

Dimitris Skalkos, Greek secretary-general for international economic relations, discussed the Hellenic government’s initiatives to strengthen Greek-Arab cooperation and outlined Greece’s potential as a business and investment hub.

Kyriakos Pozrikidis, managing director of TIF HELEXPO S.A., elaborated on the rich history and significance of the Thessaloniki International Exhibition as Greece’s premier international fair.

As a cherished tradition, the fifth edition of the “Doing Business in the Arab World” workshop offered valuable insights for Greek entrepreneurs aiming to enter or expand in Arab markets.

Takis Kakayannis, trade commissioner and former president of the Greek community in Morocco, shared key aspects of doing business in Morocco.

Spyros Xanthis, managing director of EUROSOL HELLAS S.A. and board member of the Arab-Hellenic Chamber, moderated a panel featuring presentations by Commercial Attachés from various Greek embassies, including Afroditi Iconomou (Algeria), Stamatios Zachariadis (Tunisia), and Evangelos Dairetzis (Cairo), along with staff members from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The workshop concluded with representatives from Greek companies engaging in direct discussions with commercial attachés, gaining insights into the specific dynamics of Arab markets.

The Arab-Hellenic Chamber invited attendees to participate in the second Arab-Hellenic Maritime Conference, which is scheduled for 25-26 June this year.

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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EGYPT

With an investment of almost USD 12 billion, the UAE was Egypt’s largest backer, trailed by the US at USD 10.3 billion.

Egypt received the highest international investment in the Arab world in 2024, securing nearly USD 30 billion across 122 projects, about a third of the region’s total, according to a report by regional investment agency Daman.

The UAE was noted as the country’s top investor, contributing almost USD 12 billion, followed by the United States with USD 10.3 billion. Total foreign investment in the Arab world reached approximately USD 80 billion with Saudi Arabia ranking second after Egypt, attracting USD 17.6 billion,

while the UAE followed with USD 13.3 billion. Although the report does not specify project types, experts suggest most investments focused on oil, gas and renewable energy.

source/content: cairoscene.com (headline edited)

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EGYPT

Becomes first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position.

The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday.

His appointment marks a milestone for the region, as he becomes the first Arab and Middle Eastern delegate to hold the position, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The WTO General Council plays a role in overseeing the organization’s operations between its biennial ministerial conferences.

Under Al-Moqbel’s presidency, the council is expected to address a range of critical global trade issues, with preparations for the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, set to take place in Cameroon in March 2026, high on the agenda.

Other priorities will include advancing essential WTO reforms, particularly concerning its dispute settlement mechanism, and progressing negotiations on the second phase of the Fisheries Subsidy Agreement.

Additionally, discussions will focus on key areas such as agriculture, food security and development concerns, while efforts will also be made to integrate multilateral agreements, including the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement and the E-Commerce Agreement, into the WTO framework, SPA added.

Commenting on his appointment, Al-Moqbel hailed the significance of Saudi Arabia’s leadership within the WTO, stating that it reflected the Kingdom’s growing role in the international economic landscape.

He emphasized that the Kingdom would leverage its global economic influence to strengthen multilateral trade cooperation and drive meaningful reforms within the WTO.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The General Council of the World Trade Organization unanimously appointed Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Saqer bin Abdullah Al-Moqbel as its president for the 2025–2026 term on Wednesday. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) have developed a new technology for non-surgical blood flow monitoring using piezoelectric pressure sensors.

The technology relies on special materials that generate electric fields when subjected to mechanical stress, helping to measure vital physiological parameters such as blood flow velocity and viscosity.

This enhanced version provides greater accuracy in interpretation and is more cost-effective, making it suitable for use in both hospitals and home settings. This technology also provides real-time data that can help detect conditions such as blood clots.

Professor Mahmoud Al Ahmad from the Department of Engineering and coordinator of the research team said, “Our goal is to improve an existing technology to make it more accurate and user-friendly, benefiting both patients and healthcare providers. It is worth mentioning that this project provided a training opportunity for four undergraduate students in scientific research.”

He added that the team plans to incorporate artificial intelligence technologies to further enhance the system and expand its use.

This innovation aligns with the UAE’s vision to advance medical technology and reduce reliance on imports. It also strengthens the local medical device manufacturing sector and supports the UAE’s shift towards a knowledge-based economy.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

Smartphone bot developed by Maqsam transcribes speech, understands intent, and responds fluently in Arabic, offering 24/7 automated support

Unlike existing machine-learning solutions, which are predominantly optimized for English, the bot handles linguistic variations across the Arab world

Saudi-based tech company Maqsam has unveiled the region’s first phone bot powered by artificial intelligence capable of handling customer service calls entirely in Arabic and English, including several dialects.

Speaking to Arab News at LEAP 2025 Tech Conference, Fouad Jeryes, cofounder and chief business officer of Maqsam, said the innovation tackles a central challenge businesses face when trying to provide a seamless Arabic-language customer service.

“Most global AI solutions do not support Arabic well,” Jeryes said. “There aren’t solutions that actually speak Arabic, so it’s a big gap here.”

The smartphone bot developed by Maqsam transcribes speech, understands intent, and responds fluently in Arabic, offering 24/7 automated support. 

Unlike existing machine-learning solutions, which are predominantly optimized for English, the bot handles linguistic variations across the Arab world, ensuring a more natural and effective customer experience.

Despite Arabic being one of the world’s most widely spoken languages, businesses have struggled to implement tech-powered customer service solutions that accurately process different dialects.

The bot’s ability to recognize and adapt to different Arabic dialects makes it particularly valuable for businesses operating in several markets in the MENA region.

“Good customer service is crucial for customer retention and trust, as it takes many positive experiences to offset one negative one. Better service leads to happier customers, reducing time wasted and improving overall customer experience,” Jeryes said. 

Maqsam’s bot has the potential to transform customer interactions, making services faster and more accessible, while reducing operational costs.

“If you can get to someone where you don’t have to be on hold, where they pick up every single time and service you immediately, it’s going to be easier — less time wasted, more efficiency, and better service overall, which keeps you happy as a customer,” Jeryes added.

The bot also acts as a co-pilot for human agents, reducing their workload and improving efficiency.

“The agent speaking to the customer doesn’t have to know all the information or handle every process. The bot listens in real time and translates that information into necessary actions,” Jeryes said.

However, automation will not completely replace human agents.

“There will be fewer human agents and more bots in the future,” he said. “But the human element needs to be there, because the bots will not be able to service all the scenarios.”

While the technology presents significant advances, risks and regulatory concerns surrounding AI-powered customer services remain.

“There’s a lot that’s going to come into the realm of regulation in this space in particular,” Jeryes said. “In general, humans will remain a very integral part of this community.” 

As Saudi Arabia continues to advance its digital economy under Vision 2030, such innovations contribute to the development of a more tech-driven business landscape, enhancing efficiency and supporting the Kingdom’s push for digital transformation.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Saudi-based tech company Maqsam has unveiled the region’s first AI-powered phone bot capable of handling customer service calls entirely in Arabic and English. (AN Photo)
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SAUDI ARABIA

Following Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly’s official approval on Saturday, Prince Karim Al-Hussaini (Aga Khan IV), the 49th imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, was buried in the Aga Khan Mausoleum in Aswan on Sunday.

The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an Aga Khan charity, announced on Tuesday that Prince Karim passed away in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of 88. 

Aga Khan IV was buried in Aswan alongside his grandfather, Aga Khan III, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan. 

His funeral service was held on Wednesday in Portugal before Sunday’s private burial ceremony in Egypt.

On Saturday, Aswan Governor Major General Ismail Kamal received Aga Khan’s son, Prince Rahim Al-Hussaini, and his family at Aswan International Airport in preparation for the official funeral ceremony, according to a statement from the governorate.

According to an AKDN post on X, his son Aga Khan V was named the 50th hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims a day after his death.

Who was Prince Karim Aga Khan?
 

Prince Karim Aga Khan was the Ismaili Muslim community’s 49th imam and spiritual leader.

This Shia sect traces its spiritual leadership through a lineage of imams, including Imam Ismail, who passed away in 765 AD. 

Ismailis believe they are direct descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.

Prince Karim Aga Khan was born in Switzerland and held British citizenship.

In 1957, at age 20, he became the imam of the Ismaili Muslims, succeeding his grandfather, Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan.

He founded the AKDN, a network dedicated to improving the quality of life for those in need, primarily in Asia and Africa.

He also established the Nation Media Group (NMG), one of the largest independent media organizations in East and Central Africa, serving as a voice for the African population.

Aga Khan also established the Om Habibeh Foundation in Aswan, which plays a vital role in implementing development programmes supporting healthcare, education, and microfinance initiatives to improve the lives of local communities.

In 2015, former President Pranab Mukherjee awarded Aga Khan the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to social development in the country.

Global tributes
 

World leaders and public figures have honoured Prince Aga Khan and recognized his contributions to global development.

Emirati Prime Minister and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum extended his condolences on Wednesday through X.

He described Prince Karim Aga Khan as one of the “world’s greatest philanthropists, whose life’s work was dedicated to relieving the hopelessness of poverty, promoting human development, building bridges between communities, and working tirelessly in the cause of peace.”

Activist and Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai also paid tribute in a post on X: “His legacy will continue to live on through the incredible work he led for education, health, and development around the world.”

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described him as “a symbol of peace, tolerance, and compassion in our troubled world,” extending his condolences to his family and the Ismaili community in a post on X on Wednesday.

I am deeply saddened by the news that His Highness Prince Karim Al-Hussaini, Aga Khan IV, has passed away. He was a symbol of peace, tolerance and compassion in our troubled world.

I express my deepest condolences to His Highness’s family and the Ismaili community. pic.twitter.com/VvXCrq8zPQ

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 4, 2025

source/content: english.ahram.org.eg (headline edited)

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EGYPT

On a historical preservation tour around the Arabian Gulf region, the World Monument Fund recently visited the city of Muharraq in Bahrain before visiting Saudi Arabia.

A historically rich city with a story that dates to the late 19th century, Muharraq is the cultural heart of Bahrain.

Prior to gaining independence from British rule in 1971, Muharraq was Bahrain’s capital and center for public and governmental administrative, educational, and planning projects, before being replaced by Manama in 1923.

Though the city held many significant historical sites, its residents began to leave soon after and the area was left neglected.

Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa, president of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities and chairperson of the Arab Regional Centre for World Heritage, founded the Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in 2002, a non-profit organization, as a form of cultural renaissance.

Since its founding, the center’s purpose has been to form a space where thinkers could gather and share ideas in philosophy, literature, poetry, art, and culture.

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FASTFACT

In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.

The most significant aspect of its work, however, has been the house restoration projects in Muharraq and Manama, where 28 historical houses, many of which belonged to prominent Bahraini figures and families, have been brought back to life under the leadership of Al-Khalifa.

Over the weekend, a delegation from the World Monument Fund visited the Sheikh Ebrahim Center to see the restored houses firsthand.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the mission of the World Monuments Fund is to safeguard heritage all around the world, Benedicte de Montlaur, president of the fund, told Arab News.

Al-Khalifa was awarded the Watch Award by the World Monument Fund in 2015 and after a few visits to their offices in New York, she was asked to join them as a member of the board of trustees, making her the only Arab on the board.

In an interview with Arab News, Al-Khalifa said she felt it was her responsibility to keep them informed about the Arab world and all that it has to offer.

“The picture that travels to the world is not always true or complete, and in our Gulf countries there are many landmarks, monuments, and national identities that we would like to showcase,” she said.

The delegation first visited the Abdullah Al-Zayed House for Bahrain Press Heritage, the house of the first journalist to start a daily newspaper in the kingdom and which now hosts local and international speakers from the media sector.

Next up was the Kurar House, where Al-Kurar Ladies spend their time embroidering traditional Bahraini thobes and other garments by hand. Like the strings of an instrument, three women work on the thread separately, and one stitches them together simultaneously on the fabric, creating a harmonious rhythm.

The delegation also got to see the only room left of Sheikh Ebrahim’s original house, a room that dates back around 200 years.

Following the tour of the Sheikh Ebrahim restored houses projects, they also visited the houses of the Pearling Path and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dilmun Burial Grounds.

With over 70 projects in the Arab world including the Louvre, the Smithsonian, and Babylon in Iraq, restoring the Imam Palace in the city of Taizz in Yemen, and Abydos in Egypt, the fund’s next mission is to become more active in the Gulf region.

“We see that there is a lot of interest in heritage in countries from the GCC,” de Montlaur said.

The first stop was Kuwait, where plans are underway to have Failaka Island added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

After visiting their partners from the UNESCO Regional Center and the Sheikh Ebrahim Center in Bahrain, the delegation’s next destination is Saudi Arabia, “a country that is devoting a lot of time and energy at the moment to heritage,” de Montlaur said.

In discussion with the Royal Commission of AlUla and the Heritage Commission for future partnerships, the World Monument Fund is visiting AlUla as well as Historic Jeddah for the Islamic Arts Biennale.

“If you do not know your past, it is very difficult to build a future because you lose your identity,” de Montlaur said. “Especially in countries like here, that are developing really fast … it is extremely important also to pay attention to heritage places because it is very easy to destroy them, but when they are gone, they’re gone. They cannot be rebuilt.

“Once you have lost the spirit of a place and built modern buildings everywhere, then you have lost touch with your past.”

Preserving the land’s past also draws in crowds of tourists who get to experience each country’s distinct identity and history for the first time to learn about the place and its people, de Montlaur added.

“Heritage places represent the pinnacle of human achievements of history.”

On how the Arab world can work together to create a stronger stance for historical preservation, de Montlaur said: “I think it is already happening,” citing the various projects in Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, etc.

She also added: “There is a big need for heritage preservation in other countries outside of the GCC, so they could align their forces.

“There is so much need in Egypt, in Gaza … in Syria … and I think what is very much part of the Arab countries is this solidarity, they can all unite around this heritage because this is the heritage of all the Arabs.”

Al-Khalifa added: “In Gaza, many landmarks have been destroyed, part of the upcoming plan is restoring some of those sites.

“It’s really a heritage of humanity as a whole and that is why every one of us, whether we are from the region or not, should care about it. But before anything else, it is the history and identity of the Arabs,” de Montlaur noted.

Speaking on the shared language and culture that unite Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Al-Khalifa, who is also a part of the Royal Commission of AlUla, said that emotions and love between peoples are what bond them forever.

“This visit is not only to Bahrain but to our Gulf,” she said. “We always repeat: our Gulf is one, our goals are one, and our history is shared; so everything that distinguishes us — from identity to monuments — is an extension of civilizations thousands of years old.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Bahrain’s cultural heart, Muharraq, has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. (AN photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

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GCC STATES

Archaeologists Discover Ancient Artifacts in Iraq, Unlocking Secrets of Mesopotamia.

Significant discoveries have been made at the ancient site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq, shedding light on Mesopotamian history. Artefacts including clay cuneiform tablets, a game board, and structural remains have been unearthed by a team led by Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida. The findings are believed to date back to the Middle Bronze Age, around 1800 BCE, and may provide fresh perspectives on the daily lives, literacy, and socio-political connections of the people from this ancient civilisation.

According to the research conducted at Kurd Qaburstan, the clay tablets are the first of their kind to be discovered in the region. Preliminary analysis suggests they hold valuable information about the city’s residents and the historical events they faced, as reported by phys.org. Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, an associate professor of history at UCF, shared with phys.org that studying names, word choices and writing styles may offer an enhanced understanding of cultural identity and literacy in northern Mesopotamian cities.

The Middle Bronze Age in northern Iraq remains under-researched due to historical biases and limited prior excavations. The ongoing work aims to provide a narrative from the perspective of the city’s inhabitants, rather than relying on external accounts, as noted by the lead researcher.

Exploring a Forgotten Urban Center

Excavations at the site have uncovered monumental architecture, human remains, and evidence of destruction, hinting at significant historical events. A newly identified lower town palace, revealed through geophysical surveys, is being closely studied to determine its administrative significance. Artefacts found in the palace, including pottery and animal remains, suggest a more nuanced understanding of social and economic structures, with signs of private wealth and dietary diversity among the city’s population.

Future Research Potential

The site is hypothesised to be the ancient city of Qabra, a regional hub mentioned in Old Babylonian records. While definitive identification is ongoing, findings from the tablets and architectural remains bolster this theory. As reported by phys.org, researchers expect further analysis to uncover details about possible warfare and societal dynamics, potentially rewriting aspects of Mesopotamian history. Work at Kurd Qaburstan is set to continue in 2025, with hopes of revealing more historical secrets from this fascinating period.

source/content: gadgets360.com (headline edited)

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Excavations at Kurd Qaburstan revealed storage jars with key Mesopotamian artifacts / Photo Credit: Tiffany Earley-Spadoni

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IRAQ