Industry 4.0 and Public-Private Discussion Take Centre Stage at Singapore-Jordan Capacity Building Course

By Jaishankar K. Nair, Head of Services, MHAO Group

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 17 November 2025: In the modern service economy, innovation extends beyond smart products to the way companies listen, communicate and respond when customers need support. For many consumers, the true measure of a brand begins not at the point of purchase, but at the moment something goes wrong.

Across the UAE, expectations for after sales care are evolving in step with a growing trust in digital experiences. According to PwC’s Voice of the Consumer 2024: Middle East, 78 percent of consumers in the region discover new brands through social media, higher than 67 percent globally, while 82 percent look for online reviews to validate a company before making a purchase. These habits reveal a customer base that is digitally engaged but demands transparency, reliability, and responsiveness from the businesses they interact with.

The same report shows how technology has transformed everyday habits: 44 percent of regional consumers shop online daily or weekly via mobile phones, compared with 34 percent globally. Nearly 40 percent identify self-checkout, mobile payments, and real-time personalized offers as key features that improve their experience. This demonstrates a clear expectation for service that is immediate, digital and convenient.

For instance, at our new Homewide service center in Abu Dhabi’s Mussafah district, this reality is reflected in daily operations. Dedicated desks handle diagnostics, warranty claims, and inquiries to reduce waiting times. Behind the front desk, digital diagnostics and genuine spare parts ensure precision and safety in every repair. Artificial-intelligence systems manage service tickets and send updates to keep customers informed at every step.

Yet technology alone cannot sustain loyalty. Skilled technicians and service advisors remain central to the experience, combining expertise with empathy and clear communication. Customer care today is a relationship built on trust, clarity, and respect for time, qualities that define enduring confidence between companies and consumers.

As service expectations rise across the UAE, businesses that unite human understanding with intelligent systems will set the benchmark for excellence. The real innovation in customer care lies in creating experiences that are transparent, responsive, and genuinely centered on people.

• A special presentation of Meyerowitz’s work, including new video and audio installations, to be shown at Somerset House, London from 17 April - 4 May 2026

• Meyerowitz to be recognised at the annual Awards ceremony in London on 16 April 2026

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, 18 NOVEMBER 2025 - Joel Meyerowitz is announced as the recipient of the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Photography title of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026, which honours the people that have shaped the history of the medium. Meyerowitz is recognised for his diverse and expansive body of work, and its extraordinary influence on the visual vocabulary of photography. 

Joel Meyerowitz’s practice is marked by his observant eye, finely tuned to the currents and textures of life. His work shows a fascination with life happening around him, and a remarkable instinct for framing images that are at once revealing and enigmatic, imbued with beauty and wit. Meyerowitz’s photographs direct the viewer’s gaze to the parallel and interconnected stories that define a moment. The subjects of his photographs are wide-ranging, from his iconic depictions of the bustle of city life, to his depictions of coastal life and the vast seascapes of Cape Cod, through to his pivotal series documenting all the work inside Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11, and his recent self-portraiture. Over the years, Joel Meyerowitz has captured the surprises that can be found by looking carefully at the scenes that surround us.

An early proponent of colour photography, Joel Meyerowitz was instrumental in bringing this method to widespread recognition and use, and is credited for expanding its global appreciation, establishing it as a fine art practice. His work since the early 1960s has made him a leading figure in the history of 20th century photography. 

To mark the award, a special retrospective of works by Joel Meyerowitz will be shown at Somerset House, London, as part of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 exhibition. This showcase offers an insight into the spirit and curiosity that has characterised his practice for the past six decades. Through video and audio installations, Meyerowitz invites visitors to see from his vantage point, recalling the sense of wonder he experienced seeing the scenes in his images for the first time. In several specially commissioned new video and audio installations created in collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Chris Ryan, the photographer reflects on the process of the making of specific images, as well as charting the trajectories of his life, tracing the steps and creative turning points that have led him to the current point. The exhibition will additionally present emblematic works from across Meyerowitz’s career including his early street photography from New York and his travels to Europe, his ‘field photographs,’ focused on the colours, objects and patterns across the frame, photographs from his time in Cape Cod, and his coverage of Ground Zero. 

Born in New York City, USA in 1938, Joel Meyerowitz studied painting and medical drawing at Ohio State University before working as an advertising art director. After watching the Swiss-American photographer Robert Frank shoot an advertising project for him in 1962, Meyerowitz immediately quit his job and went out onto the streets with a borrowed camera and two rolls of colour film, and embarked on a career that would make an indelible mark on the medium. While his early work was in colour, he later added Black and White to his photography. Meyerowitz’s work forms an integral part of the American photographic canon – it has appeared in over 350 exhibitions in museums and galleries across the world, and has been published in 57 monographs.

Commenting on his acceptance of the award, Joel Meyerowitz says: ‘I am honoured to be selected as this year’s Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient. The photographs I have made over the years show the world as I see it, and the moments of beauty, humour and fun that can be found everywhere, if we take the opportunity to look. I hope this exhibition will encourage visitors to look again at their surroundings and engage with all of the life that unfolds around them.’

The Outstanding Contribution to Photography award recognises the voices behind the most groundbreaking photographic work of our time. As its 19th recipient, Joel Meyerowitz joins a distinguished list of names including Mary Ellen Mark (2014), Martin Parr (2017), Graciela Iturbide (2021), Edward Burtynsky (2022), Sebastião Salgado (2024) and Susan Meiselas (2025).

Meyerowitz will be presented with his award at the annual gala ceremony in London on 16 April 2026, during an evening of celebrations where the overall winners of the Sony World Photography Awards 2026 will be announced.

On the occasion of the exhibition a special talk with Joel Meyerowitz will take place on 21 April 2026. A limited number of combined exhibition and talk tickets will be available - register here to stay up to date.

For more information about the Sony World Photography Awards and upcoming announcements and events, please visit worldphoto.org.

Amman, Jordan: 18 November 2025 - The future of Industry 4.0 and the digital creative economy took centre stage at a high-level closed-door capacity building programme held at the Singapore-Jordan Regional Vocational Training Centre (RVTC) in Amman from 3 to 6 November 2025. Organized under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) and conducted by IPOS International, the capability building arm of the  Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the training course on "Industry 4.0 and Innovation Management" brought together mid to senior government officials from Jordan and other countries across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to discuss the challenges and opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution. 

The event featured experts from Singapore and industry partners who shared their insights and experiences on Industry 4.0, innovation management, and governance frameworks. Discussions emphasized the critical need for collaboration across sectors and within industries to promote more agile and relevant regulatory frameworks in a time of rapid technological change.

According to the U.S. International Trade Administration, the ICT and digital economy sector in Jordan is expected to grow more than fourfold from USD 1.27 billion to USD 5.46 billion by 2033, Across the Middle East and Central Asia, the creator economy market is experiencing explosive growth at a compound annual growth rate of 18.80 percent, expanding from USD 10.93 billion in 2025 to a projected USD 36.50 billion by 2032.

Industry 4.0 has rapidly transformed manufacturing processes and supply-chain management worldwide, leading to greater data transparency and use of autonomous equipment. This transformation has fast-tracked the need for synergies between machine and human operators, as well as accelerated AI adoption and integration. The creative economy has also been profoundly affected, with barriers to entry nearly eliminated and vast amounts of data now shared within single timeframes.

Among the industry partners presenting was Bigo Technology (BIGO), one of Singapore's fastest-growing technology companies. The company shared its experience operating in Jordan, where it has grown from just two employees in 2019 to over 1,000 team members across offices in Amman and Irbid.

"This remarkable growth mirrors the potential we see in Jordan's digital economy," said a spokesperson from BIGO Technology. "The creative technology sector is not just about entertainment - it's about economic opportunity, job creation, and safeguarding communities. We are proud to share our experience with government and industry leaders who are shaping the future of Industry 4.0 in their countries. We also look forward to working and collaborating with regulatory agencies and governments to improve the experience for our users."

During the session, BIGO shared case studies to demonstrate that technology adoption and integration should not happen in isolation, but rather hand-in-hand with governance. Using Bigo Live as an example, presenters showed how platforms can work with governments to foster safe digital environments while gaining valuable insights into community trends and concerns. The case study highlighted the importance of regular engagement with regulatory bodies and BIGO’s commitment to sharing aggregated insights and working collaboratively with governments to address negative influences before they reach wider audiences.

The digital creative economy, which supports nearly 50 million jobs globally, was a focal point of discussion. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)'s creator economy has grown 74 percent in just two years, reaching 263,000 content creators in 2025, demonstrating the sector's rapid regional momentum.

Other experts from academia and thought leaders also shared insights on the building blocks of Industry 4.0, including big data and its analysis, enterprise management, fintech, intellectual property management and other pertinent topics relating to governance.

The event underscored the importance of open communication and partnership to navigate the complexities of Industry 4.0 and to ensure that its benefits are shared across all stakeholders in the global economy.

About the Training Course

The "Industry 4.0 and Innovation Management" training course was organized under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). It was held at the Singapore-Jordan Regional Vocational Training Centre (RVTC), which was established under the Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED) framework. The course was conducted by IPOS International, the capability building arm of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS).

New credit solution integrates card issuing and credit ledger management, helping financial institutions in the region reduce complexity and accelerate time to market.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 17 November 2025 – Paymentology, the leading global issuer-processor, has announced the launch of PayCredit, an advanced credit ledger platform designed to help digital banks and financial institutions deliver tailored, feature-rich credit products faster and more efficiently.

The launch comes as the GCC and Saudi Arabia witness rapid growth in digital banking, driven by Vision 2030’s financial sector development program and a growing appetite for flexible credit solutions.

Credit cards remain an essential tool for consumers in managing spending, cash flow, and loyalty programs. However, many legacy systems lack the flexibility required to meet evolving consumer expectations. PayCredit was built from the ground up to address these limitations, offering both revolving and installment credit options, including Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) features that reflect real-world financial behavior.

“We saw that many neobanks and fintechs want to offer credit, but existing systems are either too rigid or rely on outdated infrastructure,” said Rob Macmillan, Group Product Manager at Paymentology. “With PayCredit, we’ve developed a modern, cloud-first credit platform that allows issuers in markets like Saudi Arabia to launch smarter, localized credit products — quickly and without complexity.”

By combining credit ledger management and card issuing capabilities on one platform, PayCredit enables issuers to configure and manage credit programs with greater flexibility — including customized limits, interest rates, billing cycles, and repayment models — all via a secure API. The solution supports Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay, ensuring seamless digital wallet integration for regional users.

Key Features

• Built-in billing cycle logic for accurate interest calculation and real-time balance tracking

• End-to-end credit configuration including custom limits, rates, and repayment structures

• Integrated card issuance with leading digital wallet support

• Flexible installments and cashback rewards powered by real-time data

• Scalable global platform adaptable to regional regulations

• UAT simulation testing for rapid, reliable deployment

“As expectations shift, issuers need infrastructure that can keep pace,” said Jeff Parker, CEO of Paymentology. “PayCredit empowers our clients across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC to launch and scale credit offerings with full control, agility, and transparency.”

Already deployed by leading digital banks globally, PayCredit enables issuers to enter the credit market without building full-scale lending infrastructure — a key advantage for Saudi fintechs and neobanks aiming to expand their offerings in alignment with Vision 2030’s digital transformation goals.

(Riyadh – Saudi Arabia, 13 Nov 2025) – Sony is pleased to announce the release of two new accessories within its Alpha™️ camera range. Catering to the needs of professional photographers who frequently shoot in inclement weather or carry a super-telephoto Alpha lens over long distances, the new accessories provide comprehensive protection for Alpha camera gear. To assist photographers dedicated to outdoor pursuits, a rain cover will be available in Saudi Arabia by mid-December that protects equipment from rain and snow, in addition a soft carrying case that balances protection and mobility for super-telephoto Alpha lenses will also be available.

Rain Cover

The new rain cover is designed to withstand tough conditions and will protect your camera and lens even when shooting in rain or snow. It is made from breathable material (water vapour permeability of 20,000 g/m2/24h or higher)[1] preventing moisture build-up even during long periods of shooting.

The fastening strap makes the cover fast and easy to attach and remove, so you can quickly protect your equipment even in the event of sudden weather changes. When not in use, it can be folded away and stored conveniently in the attached pouch.

It includes a transparent window to ensure visibility of the viewfinder, monitor, and control panel on compatible Sony cameras during use, allowing shooting whilst protecting the equipment.

The rain cover will be available in two sizes large(LCR-EL) and small(LCR-ES) so you can choose the best fit for the lens being used and can be purchased in both black and white. All variations will be available to purchase in KSA for SAR 591.

For more details, please refer to the product page here: https://www.sony-mea.com/en/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras-cases-covers-straps/lcr-el-lcr-es

For compatible models, please refer to this page:  https://www.sony.net/dics/raincover/

Soft Carrying Case for Super-Telephoto Alpha Lenses

The new soft carrying case for Super-Telephoto Alpha Lenses has been carefully designed to ensure supreme protection of equipment from dust and scratches. It is designed with a conical shape, making it the perfect fit for storing and carrying compatible Sony lenses, a great addition to the range to support outdoor photography for sports events, bird and wildlife photography.

For easy transportation, it includes both shoulder straps and handles to allow for multiple carrying options, by hand, over the shoulder or crossbody.

The large opening zipper mechanism enables easy lens removal and the internal anti-drop strap secures the lens when the zipper is left open in case of accidental drops.

The new lens case is available to purchase in three sizes, large (LCS-LTL) and medium (LCS-LTM) and small (LCS-LTS) in KSA for SAR 591

For more details, please refer to the product page here: https://www.sony-mea.com/en/electronics/camera-lenses-cases/lcs-ltl-lcs-ltm-lcs-lts

For compatible models, please refer to the following pages:

"LCS-LTL" (Large Size) > SAR 663 https://www.sony.net/dics/lcsltl/

"LCS-LTM" (Medium Size) > SAR 642 https://www.sony.net/dics/lcsltm/

"LCS-LTS" (Small Size) > SAR 591 https://www.sony.net/dics/lcslts/

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About Sony Middle East and Africa:     

Sony Middle East and Africa FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics (Car Audio), broadcasting and professional products and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 40 countries in the region.     

Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Middle East and Africa leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners. 353 accredited third-party service centres reinforce Sony’s presence in key markets in the region.