UAE, Greece Sign Agreement to Advance Development of Digital Infrastructure

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
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UAE, Greece Sign Agreement to Advance Development of Digital Infrastructure

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM

The Ministry of Investment of the UAE and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a framework for investments in digital infrastructure with a focus on data center projects in Greece.

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou.

Data centers to be developed under this agreement can reach a total capacity of 500 megawatts.

The data center market in Greece has witnessed significant growth in recent years, largely driven by the country's Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2025, which aims to facilitate the transformation of companies into digital enterprises and incorporate digital technologies across its economic sectors.

Projections indicate that Greece's data center market will reach $1.218 billion by 2028 from $735 million in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 9 percent.

With 15 data centers, Greece is set to expand its data infrastructure with an additional 139 megawatts of power capacity from new data centers planned for development over the next five years. This positions the country to become the largest data hub in Southeast Europe and the second largest in the Mediterranean by 2028.

Greece benefits from a network of over ten submarine cables linking the country to crucial global markets, further reinforced by multiple inland internet exchange points, resulting in significantly enhanced connectivity, reliability and an increased appeal for businesses seeking efficient and dependable data exchange.

The MoU between the UAE and Greece focuses on forging effective collaboration by building relationships between public and private organizations. The agreement additionally proposes the implementation of incentives to support pertinent initiatives and aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge.



EV Maker Rivian Beats Expectations for Deliveries as Supply Snag Eases

Workers assemble second-generation R1 vehicles at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, US June 21, 2024. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo
Workers assemble second-generation R1 vehicles at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, US June 21, 2024. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo
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EV Maker Rivian Beats Expectations for Deliveries as Supply Snag Eases

Workers assemble second-generation R1 vehicles at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, US June 21, 2024. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo
Workers assemble second-generation R1 vehicles at electric auto maker Rivian's manufacturing facility in Normal, Illinois, US June 21, 2024. REUTERS/Joel Angel Juarez/File Photo

Rivian surpassed analysts' expectations for fourth-quarter deliveries on Friday and said its production was no longer constrained by a component shortage, a positive sign for the electric vehicle maker aiming to turn its first profit.

Shares of the California-based company rose nearly 6% in premarket trading. The stock lost more than 40% of its value in 2024.

The shortage of the part used in its R1 SUV and R1T pickups, as well as its delivery vans, started in the third quarter and forced Rivian to slash its annual production target in October.

"The previously discussed shortage of a shared component on the R1 and RCV platforms is no longer a constraint on Rivian's production," the company said on Friday, Reuters reported.

Rivian handed over 14,183 vehicles in the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with estimates of 13,472, according to 15 analysts polled by Visible Alpha.

That was a 42% jump from the previous quarter and marked Rivian's highest deliveries in more than a year, even though Amazon.com, its biggest backer, takes fewer deliveries in the fourth quarter due to its focus on holiday season sales.

Rivian produced 12,727 vehicles in the quarter, compared with estimates of 11,398 units.

For 2024, production came in at 49,476 vehicles, down about 13% from a year earlier but above the company's lowered target of between 47,000 and 49,000 units.

Rivian has cut costs sharply by renegotiating supplier contracts and revamping its manufacturing processes to turn a gross profit for the fourth quarter. It also entered a technology joint venture with German automaker Volkswagen last year that will provide a $5 billion lifeline.

EV makers are grappling with slowing demand as higher borrowing costs push buyers toward cheaper gasoline-powered hybrid vehicles and legacy automakers focus on rolling out electric vehicles.

Bigger rival Tesla reported its first fall in yearly deliveries on Thursday, also weighed down by the EV pioneer's aging lineup.