The Middle East

Around the world, national and municipal governments have been deploying smart city technology in the fight against the coronavirus, using it to track the spread of the pandemic and support the implementation of medical strategies. As well as demonstrating the value of smart technologies, these new applications are helping shape the future of smart cities.

Online video gaming is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global tech landscape. With Covid-19 lockdown measures creating a captive audience, an estimated $159.3bn will be spent on games this year, according to a recent report from analytics firm Newzoo – a growth rate of 9.3%. The market is forecast to surpass $200bn by 2023.

With coronavirus containment measures providing a significant boost to online payments and e-commerce around the world, the pandemic appears to be accelerating the transition towards cashless transactions in emerging markets.

With the coronavirus pandemic leading to the closure of restaurants and bars, so-called cloud kitchens have emerged as a food and beverage (F&B) alternative, as the hospitality industry adapts to shifting consumer demand.

Extensive fiscal measures have been in put in place across the GCC, with a view to offsetting the impact of the coronavirus on individuals, businesses and the broader economy. Measures have primarily been aimed at stimulating economic activity in the private sector and supporting entities that are struggling to manage their cashflows and tax compliance.