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Funding Continues to Surge as Second Edition of Dubai FinTech Summit Commences

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For the second consecutive year, Dubai will remain in the spotlight as it hosts the second edition of Dubai FinTech Summit, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE and President of DIFC, which is set to take place on 6-7 May at Madinat Jumeirah.

Organised by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial hub in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, the Summit will bring together 8,000 decision-makers, over 300 thought leaders and more than 200 exhibitors to discuss the latest innovations and challenges and showcase cutting-edge technologies.

The global FinTech sector is rapidly growing and is predicted to be valued at USD 608bn globally by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence, a market intelligence and advisory firm. Bucking the downward global market trend, the MENA FinTech market is expected to register a CAGR of over eight per cent during the period 2024 to 2029.

Dubai FinTech Summit will offer a platform for start-ups, investors and industry leaders to connect and capitalise on the growing FinTech market in the region and beyond. The MENA region’s FinTech start-up and venture capital landscape is booming, with over 800 FinTech start-ups worth USD15.5 bn, according to data by dealroom.co. Reflecting the ongoing transformation in the financial sector driven by Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact, the key themes this year will be Finance Renaissance, Ecofinance and Impact, Investment Vanguard, Regulatory Frameworks, Global Financial Dynamics and FinTech 2.0.

Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO at DIFC Innovation Hub, said: “Nearly 60 per cent of all FinTech companies in the GCC are currently based in Dubai. With the industry growing at an unprecedented rate, it is crucial for stakeholders to gather and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The Dubai FinTech Summit will bring together the most prominent figures in the industry, with an agenda that is aimed at driving innovation, inclusivity, and growth for all.”

With an impressive line-up of distinguished local and international speakers, the Dubai FinTech Summit will host a series of panel discussions and fireside chats. More than 20 governors of financial institutions will attend the summit this year, amongst them, H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC, UAE; H.E. Dr. Philmnisi, Governor, Central Bank of Eswatini; H.E. Cheaserey, Governor National Bank of Cambodia; H.E. Martin Galstyan, Governor, Central Bank of Armenia; H.E. John Rwangombwa, Governor, National Bank of Rwanda; H.E. Prof. Edward Scicluna, Governor, Central Bank of Malta will participate in discussions during the two-day event. Adena T. Friedman, Chair & CEO of Nasdaq Inc; Nic Dreckman, CEO of Bank Julius Baer & Co.; Yie-Hsin Hung, President & CEO of State Street global advisors and Jim Demare, President global markets at Bank of America, along with many other global industry leaders will also be participating in the various sessions planned for the Summit. Notable local speakers include H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Cabinet Member & UAE Minister of Economy; H.E. Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai; H.E. Salem Humaid Al Marri, Director General, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, UAE; and H.E. Faisal Belhoul, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Chamber, Chairman of J&F Holding.

A key highlight of the Dubai FinTech Summit will be the Grand Finale of the FinTech World Cup (FWC). The champions of the FinTech World Cup will be announced on Day 2 of the summit with the winners securing an investment of up to USD 1 million. The competition is a growth-enabling initiative by DFS designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and stellar innovation, pivotal to transforming the global FinTech sector.

In line with the D33 Agenda to position Dubai as the top four global financial hub by 2033, the 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation, pivotal to transforming the global FinTech sector. It presents a unique opportunity to explore emerging FinTech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the MEASA region.

The inaugural Dubai FinTech Summit attracted over 5,000 C-suite leaders from over 90 countries including north of 1,000 investors and more than 150 speakers. Over 20 Memorandum of Understandings were signed with global financial leaders during the Summit.

Announcements

Canada Super 60 picks BC Place for groundbreaking cricket debut

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In a landmark development for cricket in North America, the newly launched Canada Super 60 has announced Vancouver’s BC Place as the official venue for its inaugural men’s and women’s tournaments. The move marks a historic moment for the sport in Canada, with the iconic stadium set to become the first indoor venue globally to host a 10-over-a-side cricket league.

BC Place, a Canadian sporting landmark located in downtown Vancouver, has long been a stage for world-class events — from the 2010 Winter Olympics to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015, and most recently, one of the host venues for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in 2026. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, retractable roof, and seating capacity of over 50,000, the stadium is now preparing to add cricket to its multi-sport repertoire.

“BC Place is not just a stadium; it’s a theatre of dreams,” said former India international and Canada Super 60’s strategic partner Yuvraj Singh. “The grandeur of this venue will inspire players and fans alike. Vancouver’s spirit of diversity, nature, and culture makes it the perfect backdrop for cricket’s next big chapter on the West Coast.”

Set to launch in 2025, the Canada Super 60 is a pioneering cricket league featuring both men’s and women’s teams in a 10-over format — a first-of-its-kind initiative aiming to elevate the profile of Canadian cricket on the world stage. The league is being organized with the backing of Cricket Canada.

Amjad Bajwa, President of Cricket Canada, called the partnership with BC Place a “bold and proud step” in the growth of the sport. “This is a significant milestone not just for the Canada Super 60, but for cricket in the country. We’re committed to creating world-class opportunities for Canadian talent as we gear up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2026.”

Chris May, General Manager of BC Place, echoed the sentiment. “Hosting Canada Super 60 allows us to bring the world’s second most-watched sport into our venue and celebrate the diversity of British Columbia in a powerful new way. It’s a unique opportunity to build a more inclusive sporting culture.”

The official match dates and ticketing details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Organizers promise an electrifying blend of cricketing action and cultural celebration — with Vancouver’s passionate sports community playing a central role in the spectacle.

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DP World ILT20 Season 4 player auction set for September 30

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The DP World International League T20 Player Auction for Season 4 will be held on Tuesday, 30 September in Dubai. The six tournament teams will each get the opportunity of adding 13 players each (a total of 78 players) to their Season 4 squads at the auction. Players interested in appearing for the Player Auction can register here. The last date of registration is Wednesday, 10 September.

The six franchises will have a combined purse of USD 4.8 million to spend at the Player Auction. Details about the available budgets for the teams (including the remaining budgets from their direct signing allotment which can be used in the Player Auction), the auction order and the players list will be shared in due course.

DP World ILT20 CEO David White: “We are delighted to confirm the DP World International League Season 4 Player Auction date – Tuesday, 30 September. The auction is a big milestone for the league as we continue to grow as a world-class T20 tournament. The auction will be a great opportunity for our franchises to add local and international firepower to their Season 4 squads.

“For the UAE players, the ACC Asia Cup 2025 – September 9-28 in the UAE – is a massive opportunity for making a global impression ahead of the Player Auction. The players will have incredible exposure in the continental championship where they will be pitted against some of the top-ranked T20 teams.
“We are also set to play the third edition of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament from later this month which – alongside the Asia Cup – is another platform for the local players to impress ahead of the Player Auction.” The DP World ILT20 Player Auction is the second phase of squads’ selection for Season 4. Earlier this month, the teams completed their new signings and retentions – a total of eight players per team. The list of those selections is available below.

DP World ILT20 Season 4 – Season 4 squads so far:

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Alex Hales, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Sherfane Rutherford and Sunil Narine

Desert Vipers: Andries Gous, Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga

Dubai Capitals: Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Gulbadin Naib, Luke Wood, Muhammad Jawadullah, Rovmann Powell, Shai Hope and Waqar Salamkheil.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Blessing Muzarabani, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Mark Adair, Moeen Ali and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

MI Emirates: AM Ghazanfar, Chris Woakes, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton and Muhammad Waseem

Sharjah Warriorz: Johnson Charles, Tim Southee, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Maheesh Theekshana, Saurabh Netravalkar, Sikandar Raza and Tim David
The DP World International League T20 Season 4 will begin on Tuesday, 2 December – UAE National Day (Eid-Al-Etihad) with a blockbuster opening, the six-team, 34-match tournament will conclude with the final on Sunday, 4 January 2026.

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UAE travel: Emirates adds Hangzhou to its China network 

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The UAE’s flagship carrier launched its new daily service to Hangzhou on  Wednesday, marking yet another milestone in its growing network across China. The move comes hot on the heels of its recent route launch to Shenzhen, making Hangzhou the second new mainland destination in just under a month.

Flight EK310 touched down at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to a warm welcome – complete with a traditional water cannon salute and greetings from local officials and dignitaries. Passengers on the inaugural flight didn’t leave empty-handed either. They were treated to souvenir keychains, flight certificates, and Chinese tea tasting sets to mark the occasion.

The new route is operated on a Boeing 777-300ER, with flight EK310 departing Dubai at 9:40am and reaching Hangzhou by 10:00pm. The return leg, EK311, takes off from Hangzhou at 12:10am, landing back in Dubai by 4:55am, making it a convenient overnight hop for business and leisure travellers.

With this addition, Emirates now flies 49 times a week to five major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and now Hangzhou.

Thanks to seamless connectivity through Dubai, travellers from over 40 European cities, 21 in Africa, and others in the Middle East and South America can now easily access one of China’s key tech and business hubs. The route also enables convenient two-way travel between Hangzhou and global cities like Istanbul, Cairo, Johannesburg, and Barcelona.

Best of all? UAE and GCC nationals can visit China visa-free for up to 30 days, making spontaneous business trips or leisure breaks even easier.

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