Dubai launchpad for global exhibitors and innovators

Inayat-ur-Rahman & Sajjad Ahmad

Gitex Global 2025, the world’s largest technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) exhibition, opened its doors to the public at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Monday.

The event is featuring more than 6,800 exhibitors in an exceptional edition that aligns with the global shift towards comprehensive artificial intelligence integration, computing convergence and digital governance.

This year’s edition features the most extensive Artificial Intelligence programme in its history, with the participation of leading global figures. Gulf Today spoke to various exhibitors at the opening day of the event.

Launchpad Dubai: Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has welcomed visitors to its ‘Launchpad Dubai’ platform during the opening day of Expand North Star 2025. Located at the chamber’s pavilion, the initiative is designed to support a seamless market entry for global startups into the emirate’s dynamic ecosystem.

Launchpad Dubai is an integrated platform created to simplify the process of establishing and growing a business in Dubai. By offering convenient access to essential business services and resources, including the issuing of golden visas, the initiative directly supports the chamber’s drive to attract and support specialised talent, innovative tech companies, and new digital economy investments to Dubai.

The platform connects visiting companies with key strategic partners. The recently launched Dubai Founders HQ (DFHQ) is supporting entrepreneurs with valuable insights and guidance to help them scale in Dubai. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund is available to offer funding and business growth support, while Antler provides access to investor connections and mentoring for early-stage founders.

For business setup and establishment, representatives from the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) are offering guidance and tailored services, complemented by Habib Al Mulla and Partners, who are delivering legal and advisory guidance on market entry and incorporation.

As a leading global event for startups and investors, Expand North Star provides a dynamic platform for showcasing innovation and fostering collaboration within the tech ecosystem. The flagship event forms a key pillar of the chamber’s strategy to establish Dubai as a leading global hub for innovation and technology, playing a vital role in driving economic growth in the emirate and beyond.

Dubai Taxi Company: Dubai Taxi Company, a leading provider of comprehensive mobility solutions in Dubai, has announced a strategic partnership with Keeta, the international subsidiary of Meituan, China’s on-demand delivery service, to enhance last-mile delivery services across the emirate and pioneer next-generation logistics solutions.

The agreement was officially signed during Gitex in Dubai by Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Taxi Company, and Alex Wei, Logistics General Manager of Keeta Middle East.

The collaboration aligns with DTC’s long-term growth strategy to expand its leading presence in transport and delivery markets, particularly within the fast-evolving e-commerce and Q-commerce sector. It will open new avenues for investment, deepen commercial partnerships, and increase revenue potential.

As part of the agreement, DTC will deploy an initial fleet of 150 delivery motorbikes, with plans to scale up to 500 bikes by year-end, reinforcing its commitment to serving Dubai’s rapidly growing on-demand delivery market. The initiative is expected to generate over Dhs 10 million in revenues during the first twelve months.

DTC’s delivery bike segment continues to experience strong growth, with revenues in Q2 2025 increasing by 102% year-on-year to Dhs 18.2 million, reflecting the company’s ability to respond to shifting market needs and deliver high-quality logistics solutions.

In addition to scaling its motorbike fleet, the partnership will drive future collaboration on high-tech delivery solutions. Leveraging Keeta’s dedicated technology, both companies plan to explore the integration of drones and autonomous vehicles into Keeta’s logistics operations in partnership with DTC as part of Keeta’s logistics operations, managed in partnership with DTC.

Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, CEO of Dubai Taxi Company, commented: “ At DTC, we continue to strengthen our mobility and logistics solutions in line with Dubai’s vision for a connected and sustainable future. The UAE’s delivery and logistics market is expanding rapidly, driven by booming e-commerce and on-demand services. According to research by Statista online food delivery revenues alone projected to surpass Dhs 5 billion in 2025 with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 3% over the coming years set to take this figure to close to Dhs6 billion by 2030. DTC is capitalizing on this growth through its expanding fleet of over 2,000 delivery bikes and advanced operational capabilities. Partnering with Keeta further diversifies our services, maximizes fleet potential, and positions DTC at the forefront of next-generation logistics, including drones and autonomous delivery technologies.

Alex Wei, Logistics General Manager of Keeta Middle East, said: “We are proud to partner with Dubai Taxi Company to bring Keeta’s global delivery expertise and Meituan’s advanced logistics technologies to the UAE. This collaboration combines DTC’s strong local capabilities with our world-class innovation to build a smart, efficient, and sustainable delivery ecosystem. Together, we aim to strengthen last-mile delivery capabilities and play a meaningful role in the evolving mobility and logistics landscape.” The partnership marks another milestone in DTC’s transformation journey, as the company continues to broaden its offerings beyond passenger transport and invest in future-ready mobility and logistics solutions.

Ajman Bank: Ajman Bank has unveiled two breakthrough innovations the Gen AI Avatar and the upcoming Ajman Bank One digital platform marking a new milestone in its journey toward the future of digital banking. The launch took place duringGitex Global 2025, where Ajman Bank showcased its vision for a seamless, secure, and human-centered digital experience that redefines customer engagement.

Ajman Bank One is an all-in-one digital banking platform designed to give customers complete control of their financial lives. From instant account opening and digital credit-card issuance to fully digital home, personal, and auto-finance solutions, the platform delivers the most comprehensive Sharia-compliant digital experience in the UAE.

Complementing this is the Gen AI Avatar, a region-first innovation that brings a human touch to digital banking. The Avatar understands natural language, provides real-time guidance, and helps customers navigate products and services effortlessly — combining advanced artificial intelligence with Ajman Bank’s deep ethical and Sharia principles.

Mustafa Al Khalfawi, CEO of Ajman Bank, said: “The future of banking is digital, seamless, and human-centered. Ajman Bank One and the AI Avatar were created with a singular vision — to remove complexity and empower every customer with Sharia-compliant innovation they can trust. This marks a new chapter in Islamic digital banking, where technology and values advance together”.

Building on this foundation, Ajman Bank continues its digital transformation journey, introducing a suite of enhanced, user-driven products within Ajman Bank One. Customers can now open an account in as little as five minutes and receive their virtual debit card instantly through a seamless onboarding experience. Credit card applications can be approved the same day, while personal finance requests have already seen same-day approvals in select cases — demonstrating the system’s speed and efficiency.

Similarly, customers can get their auto finance approved the same day, and receive home finance pre-approval within the same day under optimal conditions. The platform also introduces OneX, an intelligent customer-feedback feature that captures real-time insights to continuously refine digital experiences and enhance satisfaction. Together, these innovations underscore Ajman Bank’s commitment to delivering faster, smarter, and more human digital banking for every customer.

This milestone represents more than a product launch — it is the realization of Ajman Bank’s long-term digital vision. By fusing intelligent design with Islamic principles, the bank has built a financial ecosystem that is simple, secure, and deeply personal. Customers can open an account in minutes, issue an instant digital credit card, or apply for financing — all through a platform engineered around trust and transparency. It’s where advanced technology meets values that endure.

“It is a rare convergence of vision and capability. Technology is now strong enough to remove long-standing friction while preserving the values customers rely on. Leading Ajman Bank through this change — making banking simpler, safer, and more human — is both humbling and deeply rewarding,” added Al Khalfawi.

With Ajman Bank One, customers can now open an account in minutes, apply for financing, and issue a digital credit card with same-day activation — all within a fully integrated and secure environment. The app also introduces a smart, AI-driven rewards programme designed to enhance customer loyalty by offering personalized benefits at the right time.

Ajman Bank’s Internal Shariah Supervision Committee plays an integral role in ensuring that all innovations, including AI and automation, remain compliant with Islamic-finance principles. This direct collaboration between the Sharia Board and digital-development teams guarantees that every product meets the highest standards of trust, transparency, and ethics.

Looking ahead, the bank is exploring open banking, blockchain applications, and machine-learning tools to strengthen security and enhance personalization.

“The UAE is shaping global fintech standards, and Ajman Bank aims to be a reference point for responsible innovation,” added Al Khalfawi. “We are harnessing blockchain for secure payments, machine learning for smarter risk management, and ethical AI for personalized experiences — proving that technology and trust can advance together”.

Through this launch, Ajman Bank reinforces its position as one of the UAE’s most forward-thinking Islamic financial institutions — one that merges tradition with technology to empower customers and set new benchmarks for digital excellence.