Globant Opens Its Middle East Regional Headquarters in Riyadh  

Globant’s Middle East Regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Globant) 
Globant’s Middle East Regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Globant) 
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Globant Opens Its Middle East Regional Headquarters in Riyadh  

Globant’s Middle East Regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Globant) 
Globant’s Middle East Regional headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Globant) 

Globant, a digitally native company focused on reinventing businesses through innovative technology, inaugurated on Monday its Middle East Regional headquarters in Riyadh, less than three years after it first landed in the region.

Globant, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), said in a statement that the digital transformation market in the Middle East is experiencing substantial development.

According to a Gartner report, IT spending in the MENA region is set to grow 7.4% to reach $230.7 billion in 2025.

In Saudi Arabia in particular, IDC projects that IT services spending is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0% between 2022 and 2027, reaching $6.4 billion.

“Through the opening of our new Middle East headquarters in Riyadh, we have the honor of applying our talent to be a part of Saudi Arabia's reinvention story as well,” said Martín Migoya, Co-founder and CEO of Globant.

He said: “Since our first executive visit less than three years ago, we’ve seen first-hand the promise of the Kingdom’s vibrant and young talent and how it can be the engine for growth in its new and innovative economy.”

In order to seamlessly offer AI-first solutions as, for example, models where experts supervise agentic workflows, Globant said it will train talented local IT professionals with best-in-class AI courses to support their development as AI Architects and AI Engineers.

“Today, we have taken a step forward in our journey to drive change and foster a future where technology and human progress go hand in hand,” said Mamdouh Aldoubayan, Managing Director for MENA at Globant.

He added: “Riyadh's vibrant tech ecosystem presents an unparalleled opportunity for us to showcase our leadership in driving digital transformation and contributing to the Kingdom's Vision 2030, fostering local talent, and building enduring partnerships.”



Egypt Imposes Business Curfew to Counter Soaring Fuel Costs

Cairo was forced to raise fuel prices by more than 30 percent, after strikes on regional oil infrastructure and threats against the Strait of Hormuz (File Photo)
Cairo was forced to raise fuel prices by more than 30 percent, after strikes on regional oil infrastructure and threats against the Strait of Hormuz (File Photo)
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Egypt Imposes Business Curfew to Counter Soaring Fuel Costs

Cairo was forced to raise fuel prices by more than 30 percent, after strikes on regional oil infrastructure and threats against the Strait of Hormuz (File Photo)
Cairo was forced to raise fuel prices by more than 30 percent, after strikes on regional oil infrastructure and threats against the Strait of Hormuz (File Photo)

Egypt has ordered shops, restaurants and shopping malls to close from 9:00 pm from Saturday, hoping to curb energy bills that have more than doubled because of the Iran war.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly announced the curfew and said it would last for a month initially.

"Shops, shopping centers, restaurants and cafes will all close at 9:00 pm on weekdays," he said, adding that on Thursdays and Fridays at the weekend they will be allowed to stay open until 10:00 pm, Reuters reported.

The premier said that before the war, Egypt's monthly energy bill was $560 million. Today, for the same quantity, he said Egypt is paying $1.650 billion.

Madbouly said Cairo must work on the "worst-case scenario" in the face of a war whose outcome is unpredictable.

Tourism Minister Sherif Fathy said the new restrictions "will not affect tourists" or flagship destinations, a statement from his office said.

At the beginning of March, Cairo was forced to raise fuel prices by more than 30 percent, after strikes on regional oil infrastructure and threats against the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial shipping route now virtually paralysed by the war.

Around a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas passes through the waterway in peacetime.

The rerouting of shipping away from the Suez Canal is also depriving Cairo of a vital source of foreign currency.


Turkish Central Bank Forex Sales since Start of Iran War Close to $45 Billion

Turkish Central Bank (official website)
Turkish Central Bank (official website)
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Turkish Central Bank Forex Sales since Start of Iran War Close to $45 Billion

Turkish Central Bank (official website)
Turkish Central Bank (official website)

The Turkish Central Bank's balance sheet for this week will show foreign exchange sales amounting to near $20 billion, bringing the total forex sales since the beginning of the Iran war to nearly $45 billion, bankers said, Reuters reported.

According to calculations made by four bankers, based on preliminary data for the first part of the week and their estimates for the rest of the week, the central bank's balance sheet will show $18-21 billion in foreign exchange sales.

Bankers said that although $8 billion of the total $20 billion was made before a public holiday last week, this figure will be reflected in the balance sheet on the first day of this week.

The central bank sold $26 billion in foreign exchange in the first three weeks of the war, using its gold reserves as well, resulting in a $35 billion decrease in its net reserves.


Mawani Adds Marsa Ocean Shipping's RSX Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

Mawani Adds Marsa Ocean Shipping's RSX Service to Jeddah Islamic Port
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Mawani Adds Marsa Ocean Shipping's RSX Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

Mawani Adds Marsa Ocean Shipping's RSX Service to Jeddah Islamic Port

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of the RSX service by Marsa Ocean Shipping to Jeddah Islamic Port, featuring a capacity of up to 372 TEUs and connecting Jeddah with the regional ports of Aden, Hodeidah, and Djibouti, SPA reported.

This expansion aligns with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, aiming to enhance the Kingdom’s operational efficiency and its ranking in global performance indicators.

As a primary gateway, Jeddah Islamic Port utilizes its 62 multipurpose berths and specialized terminals to support a total capacity of 130 million tons, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents.