Page 56 - SAMENA Trends - March 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

is preparing to launch in the Kingdom of platform also allows customers to find the country embraces entrepreneurship
Saudi Arabia within the upcoming months. and customize their receipts, document and works to support emerging startups
“Paltel Group’s investment in WeDeliver taxes, and complete expense reports. looking to tap into the digital revolution
is the next step for us to up our game by With support from the region’s premier and seize global opportunities.
further optimizing our platform with new accelerator program, Dubai Smart City, Fikra: Since its establishment in 2018, Paltel
services, and most importantly, expand and as an Ibtikar portfolio company, the Group’s Innovation Hub is fast becoming
to new markets,” says Ramahi. He further simple yet game-changing premise of the go-to destination for entrepreneurs
shared his gratitude to not only the team Receet has boosted the startup’s appeal looking to transform their ideas into viable
behind weDeliver, but to the invaluable across the region. Founder and CEO, startups, develop their minimum viable
customers who have helped propel the Barkawi expressed his appreciation to the products, and to validate, adapt, and scale
startup from its humble beginnings as a Paltel group for investing and supporting them. Fikra provides its entrepreneurs with
city-wide enterprise to one that is reaching Palestinian startups to reach new markets. a free workspace equipped with the latest
cities across the world. Digital receipt Paltel Group’s latest foray into the world technologies, along with exclusive training
startup, Receet, was established in late of entrepreneurship and venture capital sessions, mentorship opportunities,
2017 and is working to skip the slip and is making the case for a more diversified and the ability to connect with leading
embrace the power of digitization. The startup ecosystem. One that attracts business enablers and industry partners
mobile application connects with the international investors and promotes long- from across the globe. As Paltel Group’s
point of sales of participating retailers and term business opportunities needed for signature innovation hub, Fikra also
uses NFC and Bluetooth technology to local startups to scale beyond Palestine. operates as a corporate venture capital
push dynamic and personalized receipts Ultimately, this deal comes at a crucial firm and provides equity-based funding to
onto customers' smartphones. The moment for Palestinian innovators, as high-potential Palestinian startups.

PCCW Global and Türk Telekom International

Collaborate to Boost SD-WAN Services

Türk Telekom International (TTI), the and enabling the secure, efficient use of provided by SD-WAN services. Under the
international arm of Türk Telekom Group online cloud services while providing more collaboration, the SD-WAN service will
handling all international data, wholesale capacity for mission-critical applications. leverage broadband Internet connectivity,
voice and roaming business functions, and Traditionally, an enterprise would connect dual-edge devices, distributed gateways
PCCW Global, the international operating its regional offices over an MPLS network and multiple connectivity options. An
division of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier infrastructure, bypassing the public Internet end-to-end management portal will
telecommunications service provider, and only providing online applications provide complete control with zero-touch
have signed a long-term master service from a centralized and typically company- provisioning, safe in the confidence that
agreement for TTI to provision Software- managed server. However, the growth mission-critical applications will be
Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) and demand for innovative online cloud equipped with the security and bandwidth
services in collaboration with PCCW Global services from a range of international that is required. By providing SD-WAN
for their enterprise customers, reducing service providers requires more advanced, services to its enterprise customers, TTI
unnecessary traffic over MPLS networks flexible and intelligent networking options continues to expand its product lines,

56 MARCH 2020