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🎉 Weird & Wonderful New Year Traditions 🎉 While many of us are busy making resolutions we probably won’t keep, people around the world are ringing in the new year in ways that make your champagne toast look...basic. 🍾 🌍 In Denmark, people throw plates at their friends’ doors for good luck. Imagine explaining that to your neighbor who just bought a new ring doorbell. "I swear, it's for your prosperity!" 👠 In Ecuador, they burn effigies of politicians and celebs to cleanse bad energy. A bonfire of 2024 grievances sounds tempting, doesn’t it (especially in the UK right now!)? 🍇 Meanwhile, in Spain, they eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each chime of the clock. Sounds easy, but it’s basically speed-eating fruit while trying not to choke on new beginnings. 🧹 In South Africa, some folks toss old furniture out of windows. Goodbye, 2024 clutter. Hello, airborne coffee tables! Let’s face it: New Year’s traditions are wonderfully weird and a great reminder that we can all use a fresh start—whether it involves grapes, plates, or flaming effigies. What’s the strangest New Year tradition you’ve ever seen or done? Share it below—bonus points if it involves airborne furniture. 😂 #NewYear #Traditions #StartFresh

I recently had the pleasure of talking to Moses Shawaly - here's an excerpt of our chat about MNCs in the Middle East. For the full interview please go to https://lnkd.in/eaQYGhd9 If you want to contact me to discuss how I can represent your business in the region DM me and let's have a chat. Market Entry and Company Representation in MENA doesn't need to be as hard or as scary as you might think it is.

Happy New Year!!!

🇵🇭 The Philippines – AI Innovation for GCC Service Sectors 🇵🇭 The Philippines, known for its strong service economy, is integrating AI to boost efficiency in business process outsourcing (BPO), healthcare, and education. This transformation has key applications for GCC nations looking to enhance their own service-driven economies. Key Areas of Collaboration: 🧑💻 AI in BPO & Customer Experience: As one of the largest BPO hubs globally, the Philippines uses AI to enhance automation and customer support. GCC nations can replicate this model to optimise service delivery in tourism, banking, and retail. 🩺 Healthcare Solutions: Philippine AI platforms, like AIDE, are improving home healthcare—an approach that aligns with GCC’s growing telemedicine and healthcare access goals. 👩🎓 Education & Workforce Upskilling: AI-enabled platforms help Filipinos acquire future-ready skills, which GCC economies can leverage to upskill workers and create AI-literate populations. Why It Matters: The GCC’s service-based industries, particularly in tourism, healthcare, and finance, can learn from the Philippines’ AI-driven transformation. With an existing Filipino workforce integral to the GCC economy, there’s vast potential to transfer knowledge, technology, and best practices. 📌 The Philippines’ AI innovation offers GCC countries a blueprint for transforming service sectors through technology. #ArtificialIntelligence #Philippines #BPO #HealthcareTech #DigitalTransformation #ServiceEconomy #AIAdoption #GCC #Innovation #FutureOfWork

Pakistan – Unlocking AI Potential for GCC Growth Pakistan’s growing AI ecosystem is tackling real-world problems in sectors like agriculture, fintech, and energy—sectors highly relevant to GCC economies. Backed by a young, tech-savvy population (64% under 30) and initiatives like Pakistan’s National AI Policy, the country is primed for collaboration with the GCC. Key Areas of Focus: - Agriculture & Food Security: AI solutions like Tazah Technologies optimize agricultural supply chains, ensuring efficiency—an area of interest for GCC countries heavily reliant on food imports. - Fintech & Financial Inclusion: Pakistan-based platforms like Tez use AI to provide micro-loans and credit scoring. These models can help enhance financial inclusion in underbanked GCC populations. - Energy Efficiency: AI-powered smart grid systems emerging in Pakistan could inspire similar innovations in the GCC’s renewable energy targets. Why It Matters: The GCC’s focus on diversifying from oil aligns with Pakistan’s innovations in tech and clean energy. By collaborating with Pakistan, GCC nations can leverage AI to address critical issues like food security and energy optimization while tapping into Pakistan’s affordable tech talent. 📌 Pakistan’s AI rise offers the GCC scalable, real-world solutions to fuel innovation across critical sectors. #ArtificialIntelligence #Pakistan #Agritech #Fintech #CleanEnergy #GCC #FoodSecurity #AIInnovation #DigitalTransformation #EmergingMarkets

🌍 Celebrating Arabic Language Day! 🌍 Today, we honour Arabic Language Day, established by UNESCO in 2010 to promote cultural diversity and multilingualism. This date, December 18, commemorates the United Nations General Assembly's decision in 1973 to adopt Arabic as its sixth official language. UNESCO ✨ Did you know? - Global Reach: Arabic is the 5th most spoken language worldwide, with over 400 million speakers. - Rich Vocabulary: It boasts a vast lexicon, with many words contributing to other languages, including terms like "coffee," "algebra," and "admiral." - Unique Script: Written from right to left, Arabic's calligraphy is renowned for its artistic beauty. - Scientific Legacy: During the Golden Age of Islam, Arabic was the lingua franca of science, medicine, and philosophy, preserving and enhancing knowledge that shaped the modern world. In today's interconnected world, Arabic continues to bridge cultures, fostering understanding and collaboration across diverse regions. What fascinates you most about the Arabic language? Share your thoughts below! 💬 #ArabicLanguageDay #CulturalDiversity #LanguageCelebration #TravelTech

🇮🇳 India – AI Powerhouse Bridging GCC Digital Goals India, a global leader in tech innovation, is rapidly advancing in AI, cementing itself as a strategic partner for the GCC. With a strong talent pipeline—over 1 million engineers annually—and cutting-edge AI solutions, Indian firms are shaping the digital future of the Middle East. Key Areas of Synergy: 🩺 Healthcare Innovation: Indian AI startups like Qure.ai (AI-driven diagnostics) provide scalable healthcare solutions that can enhance GCC healthcare systems under Vision 2030. For instance, AI-backed telemedicine platforms are ideal for rural Saudi communities. 🌆 Smart Cities: India’s work on AI-powered urban development (e.g., Bangalore’s smart traffic systems) offers valuable frameworks for GCC smart city projects in NEOM and beyond. 👩🎓 Education & Skills Development: Platforms such as BYJU’s leverage AI for personalised learning—a model GCC nations can adopt to address skills gaps and future-proof workforces. Why It Matters: The GCC is increasingly looking east for cost-effective, scalable AI solutions. India’s tech ecosystem, supported by partnerships in IT services and AI-driven platforms, ensures the region accelerates its digital transformation. The UAE’s long-standing partnerships with Indian firms highlight the potential for deeper collaboration. 📌 India’s AI ecosystem isn’t just about innovation—it’s a bridge to future-proofing GCC economies. #ArtificialIntelligence #Pakistan #Agritech #Fintech #CleanEnergy #GCC #FoodSecurity #AIInnovation #DigitalTransformation #EmergingMarkets #TravelTech Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

AI in Emerging Markets: The Untapped Potential of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping economies around the globe, and emerging markets are no exception. While much attention focuses on AI adoption in Western nations, regions like South Asia and Southeast Asia are quietly building AI ecosystems that could offer transformative solutions. For GCC nations, this presents a unique opportunity for collaboration, innovation, and growth. In the coming days, we’ll explore how three emerging markets—India, Pakistan, and the Philippines—are harnessing AI in ways that are particularly relevant to the GCC’s priorities, from economic diversification to food security and workforce development. 🇮🇳 India: A global tech powerhouse, India’s AI capabilities span healthcare, smart cities, and education. Its strong technology sector positions it as a key partner for the GCC’s ambitious digital transformation goals. 🇵🇰 Pakistan: With AI driving advancements in agriculture, fintech, and energy, Pakistan’s innovations align closely with GCC priorities such as food security and clean energy. 🇵🇭 The Philippines: Known for its service-driven economy, the Philippines leverages AI to enhance healthcare, education, and BPO industries—offering valuable insights for GCC service sectors. These posts will dive deeper into the opportunities for partnership, exploring how GCC nations can tap into the talent, technology, and real-world solutions emerging from these markets. 📌 AI is a global conversation, and emerging markets are fast becoming critical players. Stay tuned as we uncover what India, Pakistan, and the Philippines bring to the table for GCC’s future. #ArtificialIntelligence #EmergingMarkets #India #Pakistan #Philippines #GCC #DigitalTransformation #AIAdoption #TechInnovation #GlobalCollaboration #FutureOfAI #TravelTech

Thinking About Breaking into the Middle East Market? 🌍 🚀 Expanding into the Middle East isn't just about crossing geographical boundaries—it's about bridging cultures, understanding nuanced markets, and transforming potential challenges into strategic opportunities. At Howarth International, we're your comprehensive partner in Middle Eastern market entry, offering a holistic approach that goes far beyond traditional consulting. Imagine having a local expert who: - Understands local business dynamics - Has meaningful professional connections - Knows how to position your business effectively - Helps you navigate complex market landscapes We're not just consultants. We're your strategic partner in regional expansion. Our focus? Helping ambitious companies transform market potential into real business opportunities. Whether you're a: - Tech startup dreaming big - Mid-market company seeking expansion - Corporate team looking for new horizons We turn your "maybe we could..." into "we're successfully operating in..." Want to explore the potential of the Middle East market? Let's connect and discuss your vision. Drop a comment or send a DM. Your next business opportunity could be just a conversation away. #MiddleEastBusiness #GlobalExpansion #BusinessStrategy #HowarthIntl

Exciting news from the world of MMA: The PFL MENA 2024 season is making waves, with Riyadh set to host the playoffs! This marks a significant moment for combat sports in the Middle East, highlighting the region's growing prominence in the global MMA arena. Some key fighters to watch in this season include: - Abdullah "The Reaper" Al-Qahtani from Saudi Arabia, who is leading the charge in the Featherweight division and is one of the region's brightest stars. - Taha Bendaoud from Morocco, a formidable competitor also in the Featherweight division, who is set to face Al-Qahtani in the main event. - Ali Taleb, another standout in the Bantamweight category, and a rising talent from the MENA region وكالة الأنباء السعودية PFL. The playoffs are a testament to Saudi Arabia's commitment to hosting world-class sporting events under Vision 2030, further positioning the Kingdom as a hub for innovation and global collaboration in sports وكالة الأنباء السعودية PFL. Let's celebrate the talent and growth of MMA in the region and tune in to witness history in the making! 🥊🌍 #PFLMENA #RiyadhMMA #CombatSports #SaudiVision2030 #TravelTech #SaudiAtHeart