UTRIX, a leading provider of innovative feed solutions in the Middle East, has announced ambitious growth plans. The company is increasing its production capacity, hiring new talent, and launching new nutritional solutions tailored to the region’s specific challenges.

Michel Daher, Business Support Director at UTRIX explains: “We have the team, the market knowledge, and the customer connections to make a real difference. Being from the region, we understand the unique challenges our customers face, such as climate and feed quality issues. We are committed to delivering solutions that truly meet their needs and support bird performance, health, and efficiency.”

Growing presences with more offices

To support the mission of UTRIX, the company has intensified its efforts to expand its presence, opening a new regional office and warehouse in Abu Dhabi to better serve customers in the so-called GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries including UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain. “The new hub in Abu Dhabi allows us to deliver faster service of our innovative feed solutions and expert technical services to this part of the Middle East,” Daher says.

In addition, UTRIX also expanded in the non GCC countries and opened an office in Jordan to streamline product registration and manage direct sales in Jordan. Also its distributor network has been expanded. These steps made over the past 2 years have increased the total number of staff from 60 in 2020 to over 140 today.

Expanding capacity, increasing export volume

The expansion of offices, staff and a growing distributor network in the Middle East reflects UTRIX’s broader export ambitions. From 2015 to 2022, only 10% of the company’s production was exported from its home base in Lebanon. In Q1 2025, this figure rose to 18%, with a bold target of reaching 35% export share by the end of 2025. “It is a big goal, but with the expansion of our team, the addition of highly skilled technical staff, and our targeted market strategies, we are confident we will achieve it,” Daher says.

To meet growing demand, UTRIX is expanding its manufacturing operations at its manufacturing facility in Zahle, Lebanon. Previously operating on a single 8-hour shift, the company is now preparing to add a second shift and is recruiting additional operators and shift leaders. The facility has 4 fully automated production lines, producing premixes, concentrates, powder and liquid feed additives and specialties.

Health, performance, and welfare solutions

Besides growing in volumes, the company is also strengthening its product portfolio to address key challenges faced by poultry farmers in the MEA region, including health, heat stress, and performance issues. Daher explains: ”Innovation has been integral to UTRIX’s DNA from the start and this year we are excited to roll out a series of specialized nutritional, health, and performance solutions across the regions we operate in.” Recognizing the needs of smaller farms that often lack feed mills, UTRIX is also expanding its portfolio of liquid feed additives designed for easy use via drinking water.

In addition to the strong growth in poultry production, UTRIX is also keeping a close eye to the rising demand in large animal farming in the Middle East. “Our company is very committed to providing trusted, high-quality solutions that support the health, wellbeing, and performance of broilers, breeders, and layers across the region. At the same time, we see opportunities to develop specialized feed additives for dairy cows and other large livestock in the near future. Also here, we believe we can make a big difference related to heat stress and efficiency problems that we see in large animals in our region,” Daher concludes.

More information can be found at www.utrix.com.

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Leading private network for the global sports industry, Premier Sports Network [PSN], is marking ten successful years in business with the expansion of its physical presence from London and New York, to the Middle East.

Since it was established in 2015, PSN has evolved from being a events-based organisation into an impressive global network, which operates as a hub for over 42,000 members from across the sports industry to connect with peers in a private and exclusive setting.

Having established an unrivalled reputation for its capability to connect key stakeholders across by the globe by driving business development and collaboration amongst elite-level sports organisations, PSN has successfully accelerated membership growth, while cementing its service offering in delivering high quality networking, partnerships, recruitment services and the delivery of educational content to athletes and executives across the industry.

As such, the impressive private network has marked 10 successful years in operation with its physical expansion into Dubai.

Founder and CEO of PSN, Spencer Hidge, confirmed: “The past decade has seen PSN progress from an events platform for those working behind the scenes into a multi-functional network, which successfully unites professionals across various sports disciplines and promotes cross-sport learning and the sharing of best practices to address critical challenges that face professional sports.

I am extremely proud of our growth and positive impact on the sports industry to date and now plan to continue building our network across the globe, with a particular focus on our new presence in the Middle East.”

Now considered the “go-to” network for sports professionals of all levels, PSN also partners with selected industry specialists whose services support the requirements of sports organisations through their day-to-day challenges.

For more information, visit: www.premiersportsnetwork.com/

The post Premier Sports Network Celebrates International Growth Following a Decade in Business appeared first on MEA Markets.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development signed a co-financing agreement to strengthen efforts to support small-scale farming and improve food security. The signing took place in Riyadh during the sixteenth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Under the agreement, the Kuwait Fund and IFAD will enhance their coordination and strengthen their collaborative framework to identify projects that are suitable for co-financing. They will also regularly review the progress of their work to reach more people and increase efficiency.

“Small-scale farmers are essential to global food security. Yet their work is consistently under-resourced, especially as they attempt to adapt to climate change and land degradation,” said Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD. “This renewed partnership between IFAD and the Kuwait Fund represents a renewed ambition for healthy rural economies, and for investments that safeguard food security – today and for the future.”

“The agreement signed today reflects the mutual alignment of the Kuwait Fund and IFAD as they continue to deepen and consolidate their partnership and commitment to enhancing the resilience of small-scale farmers in the face of food insecurity and climate change,” said Waleed Albahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development.

“In collaborating, sharing expertise and innovative solutions with an unparalleled global leader such as IFAD, Kuwait Fund and IFAD come ever closer to realizing their shared vision of driving sustainable development, improving rural livelihood and enhancing climate resilience where it is needed most,” he added.

One notable example of strategic collaboration is the Family Farming Project in Guinea-Bissau (2019-2026). The project spans over four of the country’s poorest regions Bafatá, Cacheu, Gabú and Oio to support small-scale farmers’ access to markets, nutrition and climate resilience.  The Kuwait Fund co-financed approximately US$14 million alongside IFAD, and other partners for a total project cost of US$ 65.77 million, entrusting IFAD with loan administration, procurement, and project supervision services.

Small-scale farmers produce one third of the world’s food and up to 70 per cent the food in many developing countries. They are essential to food security globally and in their own country. Yet, climate change and land degradation increasingly threaten their capacity to produce and maintain their livelihoods. Climate change is estimated to reduce crop yields by up to a quarter by the end of the century. About three billion people live in the rural areas of developing countries and rely to a large extend on small-scale farming for their food and livelihoods.

Kuwait and IFAD have shared a long-standing and robust partnership since 1978. Kuwait’s support to IFAD has been fundamental in combating poverty and strengthening development over the years. IFAD and Kuwait have worked together to promote food security and healthy nutrition by investing in climate-smart, adaptive and resilient agricultural practices.

The State of Kuwait pledged US$45 million to IFAD as part of the Thirteenth Replenishment of IFAD’s Resources (IFAD13) in December 2023, towards the next three year programme of work (2025-2027). This is an increase of 45 per cent compared to its pledge of US$31 million to the previous programming cycle covering the period from 2022 to 2024 (IFAD12). Cumulatively, Kuwait has contributed more than US$249 million to IFAD since its foundation in 1997.

The post IFAD and Kuwait Agree to Strengthen Efforts to Support Small-Scale Farmers appeared first on MEA Markets.

• Marrakech has recently seen a spike in popularity with + 5000% surge on Google trends. 
• Travel expert Priti Bhudia provides her insider insight on the best luxury hotels, tips and things to be aware of when travelling to the Red City 

Marrakech is fast becoming the must-visit destination of 2025, with Google Search Trends revealing an extraordinary 5000% increase in searches for the city and over 1.2 million posts on TikTok the destination is certainly seeing a surge in interest. 

Morocco’s vibrant culture, luxury, and stunning landscapes can be enjoyed year-round. While summer brings high temperatures, it also offers coastal retreats, luxury resorts, and lively festivals. For those that prefer milder weather, the cooler months until May or later in the year are ideal for exploration. 

Priti Bhudia, Product Manager at Away Holidays, shares expert insights on how to experience the best of Marrakech, from ultra-luxury stays to authentic cultural experiences and budget-friendly travel hacks. 

The ultimate luxury stays in Marrakech 

For those seeking a lavish escape, Marrakech offers plenty of opulent hotels. 
 
“Marrakech is synonymous with luxury, from traditional Moroccan riads to beautifully designed buildings that capture the history and famous architecture of Morocco – some of the world’s finest hotels are found here,” says Priti. “Whether it’s the grandeur of Royal Mansour or the Arab elegance of the award-winning Selman Marrakech, there is an unparalleled experience waiting for those who wish to visit” 

Top luxury recommendations include 

• Royal Mansour – A palace-like retreat that offers a unique concept of a ‘medina inside a medina’ it truly is a sensory experience. Located in the heart of Marrakech, the Royal Mansour has four signature restaurants for those who enjoy luxury dining. 
• La Mamounia – An iconic and historic hotel known for its exquisite Moorish architecture and legendary service; those who are after luxury will not be disappointed by the grandeur of La Mamounia. 
• Amanjena – Situated within an oasis of palm and olive trees, Amanjena (‘peaceful paradise’) offers understated luxury, ideal for cultural and wellness immersion – and for those that might want to be slightly distanced from the buzz of the centre. 
• Four Seasons Marrakech – Situated between the city’s ancient medina and the neighbourhoods of the Ville Nouvelle the Four Seasons offers contemporary retreat with the option of private pools for those who stay in the Marrakech Villas or Patio Suites. 
• Mandarin Oriental – A blend of modern elegance and traditional Moroccan charm, the Mandarin Oriental Marrakech lies nestled in 20 hectares of olive groves and landscaped gardens, not to mention that their rooms all have private pools. 
• Selman Marrakech – Located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains and home to an exclusive collection of Arabian horses, offering unique equestrian experiences the Selman encapsulates Morocco’s Rich heritage and promises an unparalleled stay.  
• The Oberoi Marrakech – Inspired by palaces of ancient Morocco The Oberoi is luxurious haven known for its grand design, beautifully landscaped gardens and impeccable hospitality. 
• Nobu Marrakech – Moroccan craftsmanship meets Japanese simplicity and iconic Nobu cuisine, in the heart of the Golden Triangle district and is a stylish hotspot featuring a rooftop bar with live DJ sets. 

Where to eat & what to do in Marrakech 

Beyond luxury stays, Marrakech is a feast for the senses, offering exceptional dining, historical landmarks, and immersive cultural experiences. 

“The city’s rich history and vibrant atmosphere make it a paradise for culture lovers,” Priti explains. “From rooftop dining overlooking the medina to unwinding in traditional hammams, there’s something to captivate every traveller.” 

Cultural & Historic Landmarks: 

• Jardin Majorelle – A stunning botanical garden and artistic landmark, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent, featuring exotic plants, vibrant blue architecture, and the Berber Museum. 
• Yves Saint Laurent Museum – Celebrating the designer’s legacy and his deep connection to Morocco. It’s recommended to book tickets in advance. 
• Jemaa el-Fnaa Square – A UNESCO world heritage site and the bustling heart of Marrakech, filled with colourful stalls, and rooftop cafés offering panoramic views. 
• Atlas Mountains – A perfect day trip for breathtaking landscapes and Berber village experiences. 

Dining & Nightlife: 

• Safra By Koya – A stylish spot offering refined Moroccan cuisine. 
• Buddha Bar – A vibrant venue with a fusion of Asian and Moroccan flavours. 
• Azar – Known for its exotic atmosphere and live entertainment. 
• Le Bistro Arabe – A classic French-Moroccan fusion restaurant in the heart of the medina. 
• Various rooftop bars and fine-dining options within the city’s luxury hotels. 

Wellness & Culinary Experiences 
“A hammam often known as a ‘Turkish Bath’ to many, is a steam bath or public bathing facility that originated in the Middle East and is a central part of Islamic culture and a must visit in Morocco.” 

• Les Bains de Marrakech – One of the most famous hammams, offering authentic Moroccan spa experiences. 
• Traditional cookery classes – A must for food lovers wanting to learn the art of Moroccan cuisine. 

Affordable luxury: how to make your budget go further 

Experiencing Marrakech in style doesn’t always require breaking the bank. 

“We often say ‘fly cheap, stay chic’ when it comes to Marrakech,” says Bhundia. “There are plenty of ways to enjoy the city’s luxury offerings while being mindful of your budget.” 

Some tips include: 

• Flying with budget airlines while investing in a high-end hotel. 
• Exploring the city’s vibrant street food scene for delicious and affordable meals. 
• There are an abundance of spa experiences and independent hammams, be sure to ask your travel specialist for suggestions on which ones will suit your budget. 
• Taking advantage of happy hour deals at rooftop bars for stunning sunset views without premium prices. 

 Essential travel tips: customs & safety in Marrakech 

To make the most of a trip to Marrakech, it’s important to be mindful of local customs and practical travel tips. 

“Marrakech is a welcoming and vibrant city, but like any destination, being aware of cultural etiquette enhances the experience,” advises Priti. “For example, covering arms and legs when visiting religious sites is a sign of respect, and haggling in the souks is not just expected but part of the fun!” 

Key tips for travellers: 

• Dress appropriately in religious sites and traditional areas. 
• Practice haggling in the souks to get the best deals on crafts, spices, and textiles. 
• Be cautious with belongings – Practice normal precautions with valuables, as you would in any busy city. 
• Book professional guides – via your travel agent to navigate the city’s attractions and fully immerse yourself in its history and culture. 
   

Why Marrakech should be on your 2025 travel list 

With its soaring popularity, Marrakech continues to attract travellers seeking a mix of luxury, culture, and adventure. 

“As the buzz around Marrakech grows, there’s never been a better time to visit,” concludes Priti. “Whether it’s indulging in five-star luxury, exploring the medina’s winding alleys, or rejuvenating in a traditional hammam, this city offers an unforgettable experience for every traveller.” 

For more information on Marrakech holiday packages, visit  https://www.awayholidays.co.uk/africa/morocco/marrakesh/

The post Your Luxury Travel Itinerary for Increasingly Popular North African Destination appeared first on MEA Markets.

Nayyer Group, a leading geotextile and carpet producer from Pakistan, is establishing its subsidiary—Nayyer Carpets—with a state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in Ras Al Khaimah. Spanning 57,000 m², this new facility in RAKEZ Al Ghail Industrial Zone is set to manufacture a variety of products, including carpets, needle loom felt, geotextiles, wall-to-wall carpets, and grass carpets with an initial workforce of 40 employees.

With a production capacity exceeding 50 million m² annually, Nayyer Carpets is poised to serve markets across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Africa, India, and Pakistan. The company’s expansion strategy includes plans to double both its production output and workforce every year as it scales its operations.

Adding to this, Nayyer Group Chairman Chaudhry Nayyer Hussain said, “This expansion into Ras Al Khaimah is significant for us. We are confident that our investment here will allow us to tap into new markets, while also contributing to the emirate’s industrial growth. Our vision is to make Nayyer Carpets a globally recognised brand and Ras Al Khaimah’s strategic location, combined with the support provided by RAKEZ, gives us the perfect platform to achieve that.”

Nayyer Group Board Member Saleem Karsaz said, “Ras Al Khaimah is a readily accessible and viable place for our business operations connecting us to key markets, which is important as we grow. Add to that, its existing industrial infrastructure and the availability of a skilled workforce. What really stood out for us was its existing infrastructure and the access to a skilled workforce. The team at RAKEZ made our set-up process smooth, ensuring we had everything we needed on the journey to getting our facility up and running quickly. We are excited about what’s ahead.”

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Nayyer Carpets’ expansion into Ras Al Khaimah reflects the growing appeal of our emirate as a strategic hub for ambitious industrial players. We are focused on providing the right environment and infrastructure to support businesses in reaching new markets and achieving long-term success. Our vision is to create an ecosystem where companies can innovate, scale, and become leaders in their industries, leveraging the advantages Ras Al Khaimah offers in terms of connectivity, talent, and streamlined processes. We look forward to seeing this partnership thrive and contribute to shaping the future of manufacturing here.”

RAKEZ is already a key destination for Pakistani investors, with companies like Solar X, Crimson Middle East, and SM Pumps choosing the emirate as a strategic base for their regional and global operations. As more businesses like Nayyer Carpets take advantage of RAKEZ’s infrastructure, support, and connectivity, the emirate’s position as an industrial hub continues to strengthen, fostering long-term growth and innovation across diverse sectors.

The post Nayyer Group Establishes its Manufacturing in Ras Al Khaimah to Serve Global Markets appeared first on MEA Markets.

The retail sector in South Africa has experienced significant distress in the last year, with several high-profile retail businesses entering business rescue proceedings. Retail giants like AutoZone, West Pack and Cross Trainer, for example, have all recently entered business rescue, highlighting the growing financial pressures faced by companies in the sector.

Every challenge is also an opportunity and private equity firms are uniquely placed to step in and acquire distressed assets at attractive valuations, assisting to turn them around in the process.

According to statistics by Trading Economics, consumer spending in South Africa amounted to R3.09bn in the first quarter of 2024, down slightly from R3.1bn in the fourth quarter of 2023. Factors such as high inflation and interest rates, increasing unemployment, global geopolitical challenges and resultant supply chain constraints have continued to dampen consumer confidence, leading to decreased sales and heightened financial stress for retailers.

South African retail businesses such as AutoZone, the auto parts retailer, have struggled under heavy debt, demonstrating the vulnerability of niche markets within the sector. West Pack Lifestyle, despite being a popular household name, recently entered voluntary business rescue, indicating that even well-established brands are not immune to the current economic climate. Cross Trainer, an athletic and footwear retailer, has also faced financial distress, highlighting how shifts in consumer preferences and financial constraints are impacting even specialised retail sectors.

Benefitting from high interest rates

New numbers released in August 2024 by StatsSA, however, show a slight increase in consumer spending, with retail sales increasing by 4.1% year-on-year in June, up from the 1.1% increase recorded in May. And while global high interest rates have slowed growth around the world, PE funds have benefitted from the higher rates, with dry powder that was not deployed in challenging market conditions accumulating at record levels.

A recent study by the South African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association also puts private equity fundraising in South Africa at a 13-year high in 2023, with funds being raised in excess of R28bn, a 43% jump from 2022. With interest rates expected to decrease in the months ahead and consumer spending likely increasing as a result, PE firms are well placed to acquire, and have in many instances been specifically seeking out, investments in the retail sector.

The current economic conditions have also created opportunities for take-private transactions in the retail sector, particularly for listed companies with small-to-mid market capitalisations that are trading at discounts to their net asset values.

In 2023, the JSE recorded 12 delistings, with 13 recorded in 2022. Many small to mid-cap listings on the JSE have also struggled with the administrative burden and significant costs relating to being listed, which the JSE is addressing via an ongoing simplification of its listing requirements. Certain companies have dealt with share prices that value them at a significant discount to their net asset value. In these scenarios, existing majority investors may be of the view that there is more value to be found by taking the company private.

Kenya

The same trend is evident in Kenya, where businesses in the retail sector are partnering with PE firms to enhance their business offerings, improve efficiency and grow into new markets. According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), PE investment funds can find opportunities to provide capital and management expertise that will enable local modern retail chains to scale up in new cities.

In Kenya, PE funds are playing an important role in backing local, modern chains, such as Naivas and Quickmart, that target middle-income areas in major cities. In 2022, BCG noted in its Future of Traditional Retail in Africa report that investment funds were looking for opportunities to provide capital and management expertise so that local businesses in Kenya could scale up.

Africa

Across Africa, there is growing interest in Africa’s retail sector, driven by an expanding middle class and a rise in consumer spending. In addition, the African Continental Free Trade Area is expected to begin providing real benefits to retail companies in Africa in the next decade, as trade across the continent becomes easier.

Many African countries are scaling up production facilities, investing in transport and utilities infrastructure and streamlining customs processes to be able to take advantage of continental free trade. Retail companies trading across the continent will be major beneficiaries of streamlined intra-African trade.

PE capabilities

The retail sector’s need for fresh capital, restructuring and strategic realignment is a good fit with the capabilities on offer from certain PE funds. Some potential areas of focus for PE firms when assisting distressed African retail companies include leveraging their expertise in operational efficiency to streamline distressed retailers, reducing costs and improving profitability in the process. PE firms can also assist distressed companies to consolidate market share and drive growth through strategic acquisitions and mergers.

Digital transformation strategies, which include investments in digital infrastructure and e-commerce capabilities, can help struggling retailers adapt to changing consumer behaviour and capture market opportunities. PE firms can assist in the implementation of innovative payment solutions, enhanced digital security and blockchain for supply chain transparency, for example. With the rise of artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual realities, and personalisation through data analytics, PE companies that are at the forefront of these technological advancements are able to assist retail companies to adapt to evolving market conditions.

Sustainable alternatives

The growing demand for sustainable products could also be a way for PE companies that focus on ESG principles to add value to distressed companies by creating strategies that prioritise environmentally friendly alternatives. Other ways PE companies could assist distressed retailers include advising on product ranges, enhancing the logistics and supply chains of the businesses, opening up new market segments and assisting to upgrade infrastructure.

While exercising caution, PE firms are able to leverage distressed retail companies to grow their portfolio in the sector. This will enable PE firms to capitalise on improving consumer buying trends and economic conditions going forward. Despite current macroeconomic challenges, investors willing to take on the risk of purchasing distressed assets through business rescue could see significant returns, and breathe new life into the distressed retail sector in the process.

The post Distressed Retailers: Why Private Equity Funds Should Come to the Rescue in South Africa appeared first on MEA Markets.

The adoption of digital commerce in MENA has skyrocketed over the past few years. Countries that were once deeply attached to cash and physical transactions have shot to digital maturity in just a few years. According to Checkout.com’s 4th annual MENA e-commerce report, The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024, 91% of the region’s consumers have reported shopping e-commerce in the past two years. The number of people who shop online in MENA at least once per day has grown by 80% since 2020, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leading the way with a staggering 90% increase.  

In response to evolving consumer demands, merchants across MENA are embarking on ambitious digitization journeys and adopting innovative payment strategies. As digital commerce moves beyond the early-adoption phase, the focus is shifting toward fine tuning performance. In doing so, strengthening payment security has become a top priority.

As innovation stimulates advancements in the payment industry, fraudsters don’t rest on laurels, further sophisticating their own scam methods and tricks. Furthermore, the very aspects of e-commerce that make it an enticing prospect for consumers – speed, convenience, and anonymity – also work in cybercriminals’ favor. Because the e-commerce ecosystem includes multiple stakeholders, the retailer, the customer, the processor, and the networks, fraudsters have multiple potential access points that they can exploit.

According to Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager – MENA at Checkout.com, ecommerce fraud can take many forms, such as criminals using stolen credit card numbers to make purchases, transaction replays, and chargeback fraud. The diverse and complex nature of e-commerce fraud emphasizes the importance of vigilance and secure practices merchants must adopt to avoid such incidents.  

But it’s not just the initial financial loss that merchants need to be concerned about. Falling prey to ecommerce fraud can damage customer trust and the company’s reputation. Alarmingly, 33% of MENA consumers say they have been a victim of payments fraud. According to The State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2024 report, safe and secure checkout is now a priority for 39% of MENA consumers. In contrast, in 2020, survey respondents placed the highest value on speedy delivery.

Furthermore, up to 30% of shoppers have said a single falsely declined payment- when a payment is declined despite the payee having sufficient funds in the account, would lead them to shop from a competitor’s website. With the cost of customer acquisition for e-commerce merchants having increased, a rise in falsely declined payments adds insult to injury. This makes high-performing acceptance solutions a matter of huge competitive importance in MENA.

To this point, it’s important to mention that the region also continues to see a relatively high number of false declined payments. According to Checkout.com’s latest report, 23% of respondents experienced a falsely declined payment in recent months. In today’s fast-paced digital economy, consumers are also less patient, less loyal, and more savvy than before.

Shoppers want to know their payment is being handled by a safe and reliable partner. The good news for merchants is that fortifying payments security is a much simpler task than dealing with widespread data breaches.

In this context, Abbondandolo outlines effective strategies that merchants in MENA can adopt to minimize payment fraud and false declines, thereby enhancing consumer trust and loyalty.

Choose a trusted partner

Partnering with a regulated payments service provider (PSP) that offers acquiring capabilities, advanced technology support, and comprehensive regional regulatory expertise can significantly bolster a business’s security measures against fraud. Regulated PSPs provide acceptance solutions that enhance payment processes through optimized messaging, routing, and retries, ensuring robust security and seamless transactions throughout. Furthermore, because fraudsters have no boundaries, partnering with a regulated global PSPs with local experience offers advanced technology solutions that include real-time fraud detection systems that are trained on detecting the most advanced global fraud scams and techniques. By analyzing transactional data in milliseconds, identifying suspicious patterns and behaviors that may indicate fraudulent activity.

By partnering with a regulated PSP that offers acquiring capabilities and advanced technology support, businesses can benefit from a holistic approach to fraud prevention and payment security.

Harness the power of embedded AI

Regional merchants are increasingly safeguarding their businesses from fraud by leveraging a combination of tools and machine learning. Advanced payment technology empower merchants to seamlessly integrate fraud detection solutions into their platforms, without requiring additional set up. Meanwhile, AI is now trained on billions of global transactions, with merchants benefitting from a global network effect that allows them to analyze vast amounts of data to detect patterns, anomalies and emerging fraud like never before.

Minimizing fraud and improving performance in payment processing are closely intertwined goals that can significantly impact a business’s bottom line and customer satisfaction. When a business effectively reduces fraud, it tends to experience several concurrent benefits that contribute to overall performance enhancement.

Our merchants in the region have been benefiting from a whole new level of payment performance with Intelligent Acceptance. This product combines advanced Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, vast network data, and deep payment expertise to increase conversion and unlock untapped revenue. We have already recovered $1.1 billion of revenue, and increased acceptance rates on average by 2% for globally.

Make data work for you

Research conducted by Checkout.com alongside Oxford Economics found that $50.7 billion was lost due to false declines in recent years. Large data sets can empower merchants to track and respond to customer payment trends with laser accuracy in real-time. Here we have seen the great benefit from Intelligent Acceptance that draws on insights from these data sets to deliver a whole new level of payment performance, increasing conversion and unlocking untapped revenue, as well as Network Tokens that have helped our merchants achieve higher authorization rates, reduced fraud and allow businesses to offer an improved customer experience, while keeping customers data

Looking ahead, half of all shoppers in MENA anticipate an increase in their online spending over the next 12 months. Abbondandolo believes that MENA merchants still have significant untapped opportunity to combat fraud, reduce false declines and their overall payments costs, while increasing their revenue. As consumers increasingly embrace digital shopping and payments, optimizing every aspect of the ecommerce experience remains crucial for merchants to capitalize on this growing trend.

The post Payments Security: The Key to Winning Consumer Loyalty in MENA appeared first on MEA Markets.

Whilst the pace of transformation in Saudi is evident, the tourism boom has upped the ante on the need for speed in developing giga projects and tourism destinations in Saudi

With Saudi Arabia setting a new goal to attract 150 million visitors over the next six years, having achieved ahead of schedule the target of ‘100 million visitors by 2030’, there is a need to increase the pace of developing giga projects and tourism destinations in the kingdom, a top official of Serco Middle East, has said.

The kingdom’s tourism sector is accelerating, and the announcement of major events like the Riyadh Expo 2030 and the bid to host the FIFA 2034 World Cup are just some of the examples that underscore how seriously Saudi is taking its commitment to opening its doors to international visitors, said Daniel MacGregor, Chief Growth Officer, Serco Middle East.

Serco provides services in areas of asset management, facilities maintenance and operations as well as core operational services such as security, cleaning, pest control and waste management.

The crux of the work that needs to be done is being ready for international tourists coming from new markets, with varied backgrounds and en masse to such events, must be completed ahead of the events themselves, said MacGregor.

MacGregor says why there is an urgent need for Saudi to accelerate the pace of infrastructure development, and how to cater for the tourism boom that lies ahead.

Preparations will need to include, for example, transformations to the airport infrastructure, which will function as the ‘shop window’ as it were, working as the gateway and delivering a vital first impression to millions of people as they first enter the country.

Whilst the pace of transformation in Saudi is evident, the tourism boom has upped the ante on the need for speed in developing giga projects and tourism destinations in Saudi.

The good news is that these areas, while set to cater to a diverse set of tourists needs – be that sport, entertainment or cultural experiences, also have their own distinct contributions to make to the kingdom’s economy and society.

NEOM, promises to be a hub for innovation; the Red Sea Development project is expected to contribute significantly to the kingdom’s GDP, creating thousands of jobs, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a top-tier sustainable travel destination.

Whilst the creation of King Salman Park highlights the 360-view that Saudi is taking towards its Vision 2030 progress, there needs to be a focus on creating green liveable spaces that contribute to the overall happiness of those who both live in Saudi and of course those who pass through as visitors.

To accelerate progress, the collaboration between the public and private sectors is vital. The government’s commitment to forging these partnerships is evident enough through the substantial investments and regulatory reforms that are being implemented, which are designed to facilitate business operations.

These collaborations are essential for injecting innovation, efficiency, and both global and local expertise into the tourism sector, ensuring that the developments are not only world-class but also sustainable and economically viable.

By working hand in hand, business has a major role to play in supporting the government to not only achieve their already ambitious tourism targets, but they can help the government set up Saudi for long-term future success on the tourism stage.

These developments are backed by reports from the Ministry of Interior at the recent UK Saudi Sustainable Infrastructure Summit that the kingdom is ‘more than halfway through’ the delivery of Vision 2030, with statements indicating that it is ‘ahead of schedule in all aspects of implementation.’  

The post How Saudi Infrastructure Development Can Match the Tourism Boom appeared first on MEA Markets.

For many retailers, winter is one of the weakest periods for retail trading in South Africa, however, a big data analysis commission by Capital Connect shows that retail sales tend to pick up in winter after the quiet autumn months.

Research conducted by the Bureau of Market Research (BMR) finds that retailers can profit by stocking up on pharmaceutical goods, winter clothing and certain foods and beverages.

This analysis breaks down performance of retail subsectors for winter 2024 as follows:

General dealers historically see a rise in winter sales compared to earlier parts of the year. They benefit from customers buying hot beverages like coffee, tea and hot chocolate; vegetables and meats for soups, stews and other hearty meals; clothing items like sleepwear, winter wear and warm children’s clothes; blankets and fleeces; cold and flu medicines and over-the-counter treatments; vitamins and immune boosters; and certain small appliances like heaters and toasters.

Food, beverage and tobacco specialised stores also generally experience some growth in the winter months compared to the first quarter of the year. Like general dealers, they benefit from sales of ingredients for hot beverages and nutritious, affordable winter meals.

Pharmaceutical, medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries dealers profit from the cold and flu season. Products that sell well include prescription medicines, cold and flu medicines, throat lozenges, skin creams and lotions, moisturisers, cough syrup, pain relievers, nasal spray, immune system boosters, clinic services and hair dryers.

Textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods dealers tend to underperform in winter months compared to other times of the year. Sales tend to pick up for thick socks, winter boots, hoodies, jerseys, sweatshirts, tick cloth trousers, long sleeve shirts, slippers, warm sleepwear, as well as ladies and children’s winter clothing. However, local retailers are losing out on sales to international brands.

Household furniture, appliances and equipment dealers experience little growth in the winter months compared to the first quarter of the year. But there are opportunities to drive sales of heaters, carpets, cookers, ovens, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, small kitchen appliances, toasters, grills, roasters and coffee machines.

Hardware, paint and glass dealers generally experience low growth in the winter months. The only products that are standing out as strong winter sellers are firewood, heaters, grillers and some DIY products.

Steven Heilbron, CEO of Capital Connect, says that retailers that want to grow and thrive need to maximise their opportunities during every season, even those that are traditionally quieter trading periods.

But to win market share at a time of the year when there aren’t many big holidays and when people are staying indoors, they’ll need to be innovative to move the needle.

Creative promotions and strategic stock purchases can give retailers an edge during winter.

Some ideas they can consider include:

Host winter-themed events such as cooking classes for winter recipes or wine tastings featuring robust red wines to boost sales within the supermarket and liquor verticals.

Develop winter-themed promotions with attractive deals on seasonal essentials like winter woollies and soup mixes.

Create bundles such as soup ingredients or flu-fighting kits to increase basket sizes.

Offer a warm refuge and create an enticing space for customers to linger by offering soups, hot chocolate and a fire or heater in your coffee shop or bistro.

The post How South African Retailers Can Capitalise on the Cold Season appeared first on MEA Markets.

In the path of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, sustainable aviation fuel and alternative fuels have risen to prominence as central topics in discussions, meetings, and international conferences concerning the future of the aviation industry.

Recognised as key solutions for reducing carbon emissions in the sector, it has garnered significant attention and debate.

The 80th Annual General Meeting (AGM) & World Air Transport Summit 2024, hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Dubai last week, addressed ways to promote, accelerate, and incentivize the global increase in sustainable aviation fuel production.

Estimates by IATA suggest that the anticipated traffic of the industry in 2050 would likely generate 1.8 billion tonnes of carbon emissions if fueled by traditional jet kerosene. To achieve net-zero emissions, it is projected that 65 percent of the total emissions reductions will need to be accomplished using Sustainable Aviation Fuel, or SAF. This would equate to more than 360 million tonness (450 billion liters) of SAF annually by 2050, sourced from every available sustainable feedstock.

During its participation in the AGM, the General Civil Aviation Authority ((GCAA) affirmed the UAE’s commitment to supporting international cooperation efforts in this field to ensure tangible progress.

Maryam Ali AlBalooshi, Environment Manager at GCAA and Vice Chair of the ICAO Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP), explained that alternative aviation fuel has become a key priority on the government agenda of the UAE. She noted that the country has taken several serious and deliberate steps to develop an enabling environment for the production of clean, sustainable, and low-carbon fuels for aviation.

The UAE is keen on adopting and supporting all initiatives that serve this direction internationally, believing that international cooperation is essential to achieve a real turning point in the production and operation curve of the civil aviation sector globally.

In this context, Al Balooshi elaborated on the UAE’s adoption of the Sustainable Aviation Market (SAM 2025) initiative, which the country plans to organise next year in conjunction with hosting the 4th ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium in 2025. This market will function as a pivotal accelerator for increasing global production of sustainable aviation fuel and low-carbon fuels. Its primary objective is to provide an environmental platform facilitating communication among project developers, funders, banks, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other stakeholders.

According to figures published on the ICAO website, international efforts to enhance the production of SAF are making continuous progress, as shown in the data below:

• 122 airports distributing SAF
• 53 billion litres under offtake agreements
• 313 Announced Facilities for SAF and LCAF
• 42 feedstocks recognized under ICAO CORSIA
• 23 Stakeholder Action Groups

The post UAE Committed to Reducing Carbon Emissions in Aviation Sector appeared first on MEA Markets.