Saudi Arabia’s Monsha’at Partners with X to Support Digital Transformation

General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) logo
General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) logo
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Saudi Arabia’s Monsha’at Partners with X to Support Digital Transformation

General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) logo
General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) logo

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) collaborated with X Development company during the Biban 24 forum to provide specialized training programs and innovative digital transformation solutions.
Representatives from Monsha’at and X signed the agreement, underscoring their commitment to advancing the digital business environment and empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to achieve their objectives under Vision 2030.
Through this partnership, Monsha’at aims to equip entrepreneurs and SMEs with essential digital skills and knowledge to enhance their market competitiveness and adapt to rapid changes in the business landscape.
The agreement facilitates SME access to cutting-edge technology solutions, boosting their ability to stay competitive and preparing them to meet evolving business challenges. It also establishes an innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports digital transformation and offers comprehensive training opportunities for entrepreneurs. These programs combine practical training with technical support, promoting sustainable growth for the SME sector.



Google Proposes Fresh Tweaks to Search Results in Europe

The logo of Google LLC is shown at an entrance to one of their buildings in San Diego, California, US, October 9, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of Google LLC is shown at an entrance to one of their buildings in San Diego, California, US, October 9, 2024. (Reuters)
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Google Proposes Fresh Tweaks to Search Results in Europe

The logo of Google LLC is shown at an entrance to one of their buildings in San Diego, California, US, October 9, 2024. (Reuters)
The logo of Google LLC is shown at an entrance to one of their buildings in San Diego, California, US, October 9, 2024. (Reuters)

Google has proposed more changes to its search results in Europe after some smaller rivals complained about lower traffic to their sites resulting from previous tweaks by the Alphabet unit and as EU antitrust regulators consider levying charges against the company under new EU tech rules.

Under the Digital Markets Act, Google is prohibited from favoring its products and services on its platform. The Act kicked in last year and is aimed at reining in the power of Big Tech.

The world's most popular internet search engine has since then tried to address conflicting demands from price-comparison sites, hotels, airlines and small retailers, among others. The latter three groups said their direct booking clicks have fallen by 30% due to recent Google changes.

"We have therefore proposed more changes to our European search results to try to accommodate these requests, while still meeting the goals set by the DMA," Google's legal director, Oliver Bethell, said in a blog post on Tuesday.

Changes include introducing expanded and equally formatted units allowing users to choose between comparison sites and supplier websites, new formats letting rivals show prices and pictures on their websites as well as new ad units for comparison sites.

"We think the latest proposal is the right way to balance the difficult trade-offs that the DMA involves," Bethell said.

For its search results in Germany, Belgium and Estonia, Google also plans to remove the map showing the location of hotels and the results beneath the map, similar to its old "ten blue links" format from years ago, as part of a short test to gauge users' interest.

"We're very reluctant to take this step, as removing helpful features does not benefit consumers or businesses in Europe," Bethell said.

Google has been in the European Commission's crosshairs since March. DMA violations can cost companies as much as 10% of their annual global turnover.