Page 71 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Latest RIPE NCC Report Sheds Light on Internet Exchange Points in the

Middle East

The publication aligns with the ongoing insights. It serves as a valuable resource
efforts of the South Asia, Middle East, for mobile operators and Internet Service
and North Africa region's (SAMENA) Providers (ISPs), offering guidance on
Telecommunications Council to bolster improving peering and connectivity.
Internet infrastructure and connectivity. Enhanced peering arrangements and
The report offers an in-depth analysis connectivity are pivotal for the growth
of the IXP landscape, underscoring and efficiency of networks, ultimately
the uniqueness of each IXP's role and facilitating better service provision to
environment within the region. It highlights end-users. Furthermore, the report delves
the absence of a universal model for IXP into the enabling conditions necessary for
development, pointing out that IXPs in IXPs to achieve their objectives, including
the Middle East, even those within the the importance of supportive laws and
same country, serve different purposes regulations. Such frameworks are essential
and operate under varying conditions. for fostering digital inclusion and attracting
Key findings of the report include the foreign content providers and cloud
identification of four primary benchmarks services. As the Middle East continues to
for evaluating IXP success: maintaining advance its digital infrastructure, the RIPE
local traffic within the region, enhancing NCC's report stands as a testament to
local interconnectivity to bolster the digital the region's commitment to developing a
economy, attracting global cloud and robust and efficient Internet ecosystem. It
content providers, and establishing the promises not only to aid in the immediate
The RIPE Network Coordination Centre region as a hub for exchanging regional enhancement of connectivity and network
(RIPE NCC) has unveiled a comprehensive traffic. These criteria aim to guide IXP efficiency but also to pave the way for
report on Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) operators and policymakers in assessing long-term digital economic growth across
across Arab countries in the Middle East, and optimizing the effectiveness and the Arab countries in the Middle East.
marking a significant step forward in the impact of their IXPs. The significance of
region's digital infrastructure development. the report extends beyond its analytical

Mohammed bin Rashid Issues Decree on Unified Digital Platform for
Establishing Companies in Dubai

In his capacity as the Ruler of Dubai, His censes, and availing other services related Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai
Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al to economic activities, the platform seeks and Chairman of The Executive Council of
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minis- to enhance the ease and convenience of Dubai, issued Resolution No. (5) of 2024
ter of the UAE, issued Decree No. (13) of investors. The Decree, which applies to all of the Council, approving the key principles
2024 on the Unified Digital Platform for es- economic activities in Dubai, also aims to behind facilitating the investor’s journey in
tablishing companies in Dubai. The Decree regulate the issuance of licenses, permits Dubai. These principles are applicable to
forms part of Dubai’s efforts to enhance and approvals in the emirate to enhance the processes for all licenses, permits and
its business environment and advance clarity and simplicity. It also seeks to help approvals related to business activities in
economic growth. The platform seeks to investors overcome obstacles in setting Dubai. The Resolution is effective from the
integrate various licensing processes in up or operating businesses in Dubai. The date the new Decree goes into effect. Ac-
Dubai including those managed by the De- Decree seeks to enhance electronic inte- cording to the Resolution, all licensing en-
partment of Economy and Tourism, the Au- gration between licensing departments tities and federal and local entities tasked
thorities of special development zones and and other key entities to avoid duplication with regulating and supervising business
freezones, including the Dubai International of procedures, and support Dubai’s digital activities in Dubai, are responsible for fa-
Financial Centre (DIFC), and other relevant transformation in line with the objectives cilitating a smooth journey for investors in
entities. The integration is aimed at signifi- of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to es- Dubai and implementing the procedures
cantly improving the investor experience in tablish the city as a digital economy hub. In required to facilitate this. The Resolution
Dubai. By offering a streamlined channel a move that complements the new Decree, also outlines various measures to provide a
for accessing information, obtaining li- H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin smooth experience for investors including

71 JANUARY-MARCH 2024