Global experts outline strategies to accelerate lending transformation, digitize trade and supply chain finance, and advance sustainability in banking

Dubai, UAE – January 15, 2025 – Finastra, a global provider of financial services software applications, hosted its Corporate Banking Forum in Dubai, spotlighting how technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and end-to-end digitization are transforming the global corporate banking landscape. The event attracted top voices from banking, technology, and fintech, revealing actionable strategies to overcome challenges and capture opportunities in an evolving market.

The speakers included leaders from Finastra’s Lending business unit, such as Manish Joshi, Arvind Vairavan, Carlos Teixeira, Manikandan Ganesan, as well as from institutions such as Dubai Future Foundation, CredAble and Microsoft.

Key insights from the event include:

• AI has the power to reshape corporate banking by 2030

Artificial intelligence (AI) could have a significant impact on corporate banking within the next decade, replacing traditional roles with autonomous agents capable of managing transactions, providing real-time financial advice, and enhancing customer experiences. Generative AI (Gen AI) can enable hyper-personalization, allowing banks to offer corporate customers predictive recommendations and tailored insights based on their historic and current data. By 2030, AI is expected to contribute $1.5 trillion to the global economy, potentially driving significant growth and innovation in the financial sector.

• Unleashing supply chain finance (SCF) potential in the GCC
  The GCC region’s supply chain finance market remains largely untapped, with significant opportunities for banks to drive efficiency and inclusion. Only a fraction of the market has been penetrated, leaving room for digital platforms and AI to enhance SCF processes, support SME growth, and streamline working capital solutions.

• Digital lending ecosystems redefining efficiency
  End-to-end digitization is enabling faster loan processing, enhanced user experiences, and seamless compliance with regulations like ESG mandates. Finastra’s Loan IQ platform exemplifies this transformation, potentially reducing transaction steps by up to 50%, and integrating enhanced covenant monitoring as well as the tracking of ESG metrics to align with sustainability-linked financing goals. Fintech ecosystems, underpinned by the principles of Open Finance, are accelerating digitalization efforts by fostering collaboration between financial institutions, fintechs, and technology providers to push innovation and accessibility.

• Emerging technologies as catalysts for growth
  Technologies such as blockchain, machine learning, and optical character recognition (OCR) are driving operational efficiency and innovation. These tools empower banks to develop customized financial products, improve treasury functions, and manage risks more effectively.

• Sustainability and ESG integration are non-negotiable

As the MEA region sees a surge in ESG-driven investments, Finastra urged banks to prioritize sustainability-linked financing and robust ESG metrics. AI is revolutionizing how financial institutions track, report, and deliver on sustainability commitments, helping to tackle greenwashing fears and drive responsible growth.

• First 4G/5G Femtocell solution in the Middle East and Africa region.
• Enhances end user experiences, enriches B2B offering and reduces time to market.
• Provides robust and secure connectivity for enterprises across the Kingdom.

15 January 2025

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Nokia and Zain KSA today announced a partnership to address mobile coverage gaps and optimize connectivity for enterprise customers. The two partners will achieve this by delivering the first 4G/5G Femtocell solution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region

The Femtocell solution involves the deployment of 4G and 5G Smart Nodes, as well as a comprehensive package of Nokia’s innovative products and services such as IP Security Gateway, Femto Manager and End to End Delivery services. Powered by Nokia’s technology, the deployment aligns with Zain KSA’s business case to offer a slim and highly optimized system that seamlessly integrates into the Zain KSA network. It features a plug-and-play setup that minimizes reliance on customer infrastructure, delivering a simple, cost-effective solution with impressive coverage results.

The deployment of Nokia’s Smart Nodes will significantly improve indoor coverage for Zain KSA’s enterprise customers. This initiative is expected to boost customer loyalty by ensuring robust and secure 4G and 5G network availability across various enterprise locations.

Haitham Baba, Head of Enterprise Mobile Networks, Saudi at Nokia, said: “This solution unlocks countless opportunities for enterprise customers thanks to the trusted performance of Nokia’s technology. Our Smart node solution is uniquely positioned to help Zain KSA improve B2B time to market, enhance customer experience and offload traffic from Marco RAN. This partnership marks a significant step in our ongoing collaboration with Zain KSA, as we continue to drive network excellence enabling B2B business growth.”

Sultan Abdullah AlHadlag, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Zain KSA, said: “Zain KSA continues to lead with groundbreaking network solutions. Our collaboration with Nokia to introduce the region’s first Smart Nodes solution builds on this legacy. This enterprise-centric solution empowers our customers by elevating productivity and security while reducing costs. Aligned with our commitment to sustainable, future-proof technologies, this partnership supports the Kingdom’s digital transformation under Saudi Vision 2030, cementing our role in building a robust and secure tech ecosystem.”

Nokia’s Smart Node and femtocell solutions effectively address businesses’ need for high-performance, private networks to support existing applications and enable new services.

The optimized indoor solution can be tailored to the unique demands of enterprise customers, enhancing Zain KSA’s B2B portfolio and strengthening its position as a leading provider of cutting-edge digital solutions.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

About Zain KSA

Zain KSA is a leading digital services and solutions provider in Saudi Arabia, offering its customers award winning and value-added services including Telecom services, 5G network and applications, Fintech services, Cloud computing, IoT solutions, Fiber services, Drones, Digital entertainment and many others while championing corporate sustainability and ensuring that ESG goals and principles continue to remain at the core of our business.

 Oppo is thrilled to announce the imminent launch of its Reno13 Series in Riyadh on the 28^th of January 2025. Building on the stylish design and powerful AI capabilities of the Reno13 series, the Reno13 Series comes in four vibrant colors, each featuring the same Urban Avant-Garde Aesthetic of the Reno13 series in an even slimmer profile. Both the Reno 13 5G & the Reno13 F 5G are an AI imaging experts, equipped with flagship-level functions including AI Livephoto and AI Clarity Enhancer. It also offers incredible underwater photography enabled by IP69 Water and Dust Resistance, a large 5,800mAh battery for the Reno 13 F 5G & 5,600 mAh battery for the Reno 13 5G, an AI Multi-Cooling System, and AI HyperBoost technology. These features make the Reno13 F 5G a standout choice for anyone seeking a high-value AI smartphone.

Revolutionary AI Photography for Every Moment

The Reno13 Series is equipped with groundbreaking AI-powered photography tools that bring professional-grade capabilities to users’ fingertips:

• AI Livephoto: A leap forward in motion capture, combining ultra-clear images with smooth, stabilized video for dynamic moments in stunning detail.
• AI Editor: An intuitive suite of editing tools for effortless personalization, including make-up effects, filters, and advanced creative enhancements.
• AI Motion: Transform still images into vibrant, near-2K quality videos with lifelike animations or dynamic effects.
• AI Clarity Enahncer: converting blurry or low-quality images into crisp, high-resolution visuals designed for memories to last longer.
• IP69-Rated Caseless Underwater Photography: The industry-leading waterproofing capability allows the Reno13 Series to remain submerged in water up to 2 meters deep for 30 minutes without any functional damage[1], putting underwater photography into the hands of all users for the first time in its price range. To help users get the most out of these new capabilities, the Reno13 Series includes a dedicated underwater mode with independent colour tuning for distortion-free, lifelike shots, and physical button control for effortless underwater operation[2].

Craftsmanship and Design Redefined

Inspired by the elegance of nature, the Reno13 Series embodies a bold, seamless design that seamlessly combines style and durability. The Reno13 5G stands out with its One-Piece Sculpted Glass Back, offering a sophisticated finish and ergonomic curves for unparalleled comfort, and its Aerospace-Grade Aluminum Frame, delivering 200% greater strength and enhanced resistance to bending and drops.

Both the Reno13 5G and Reno13 F 5G feature IP69 Water and Dust Resistance, allowing them to perform reliably even in extreme conditions, withstanding depths of up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. Together, these design elements reinforce the Reno13 Series’ commitment to providing users with both elegance and durability.

Unparalleled Performance for Work and Play

The Reno13 Series brings a new dimension to performance and productivity with features tailored to enhance daily life:

• The Biggest ever battery on Reno Series: Built for exceptional power efficiency and smooth performance in gaming, photography, and multitasking. The new Reno Series comes with 5800/ 5600 mAh battery aiming to elevate an ultimate experience for consumers.
• Adaptive Frame Booster: Elevates gaming by doubling frame rates to 120Hz while preserving battery life.
• AI Toolbox 2.0: Includes real-time spell checks, translations, and intelligent text editing to maximize productivity.
• 80W SUPERVOOC™ Flash Charge: Supports rapid charging for all-day usage with high-capacity batteries.
• AI HyperBoost Technology: Optimizes resource allocation for lag-free gaming and high-speed connectivity.
• Livephoto sharing with iOS: the Reno13 Series takes seamless interconnectivity to the next level, enabling users to share life’s moments more easily than ever before.
• AI LinkBoost 2.0: Enhances signal strength and stability even in crowded areas for uninterrupted streaming and online gaming.

Commitment to the Saudi Market

The launch of the Reno13 Series marks another step in OPPO’s commitment to Saudi Arabia, a vital market in its global expansion. As OPPO introduces its latest innovations, it continues to prioritize the needs of Saudi consumers by delivering products that empower creativity, simplify productivity, and elevate daily life.

Make Your Moment: OPPO Announces Lamine Yamal as Global Brand Ambassador

In line with the upcoming Reno13 Series launch, OPPO recently announced 17-year-old Spanish football prodigy, Lamine Yamal, as its newest brand ambassador. In his new role, Yamal will play a pivotal part in OPPO’s “Make Your Moment” brand refresh initiative, inspiring young people worldwide to seize the present, channel their passion into action, and create their own extraordinary stories for the future.

OPPO’s collaboration with Yamal underscores its commitment to empowering youth through technology and passion. From the football field to everyday life, OPPO continues to celebrate the power of young people, equipping them to seize every moment and shine in their unique ways.

The OPPO Reno13 Series will officially launch in Saudi Arabia on the 28th of January 2025. Stay tuned for more updates as OPPO brings its most advanced technology yet to the heart of the region.

[1] Withstands immersion in freshwater (such as swimming pools, rivers, or freshwater lakes) up to a depth of 2 meters for 30 minutes

[2] All tests are conducted under professional and controlled conditions.