MENA Region attracts Blockchain companies while it invests in the future

Last week UNLOCK published various Blockchain news items for the GCC and MENA region. Some pertained to the launchings of actual Blockchain platform and solutions and some were about investments and entrances into the region. But all reflect the increasingly growing ecosystem that blockchain is taking in the region.

With regards to new Blockchain solutions launched, the UAE Ministry of Health was again leading with the launch of its blockchain health data platform. This comes just one week after its update on its Blockchain  Organ donation platform.  

In addition SmartWorld and Grape Technology in the UAE also released their Blockchain academic credentials platform.

Just today DMCC, Al khaleej Sugar, and Universa Blockchain signed an agreement to develop a blockchain trade platform for sugar. This comes one month after DMCC and CV Labs Switzerland signed an agreement to create the first crypto valley in DMCC

In Oman the blockchain implementation across governmental entities is progressing forward. Oman’s Blockchain solutions company signed a Blockchain agreement to implement Blockchain solutions for Muscat Clearing and Deposits and according to our sources more agreements will be forthcoming.

The region is also becoming a hub for blockchain solution providers. US Messenger Bank has appointed Bahraini national as its CEO and seeks to open up its operations in Bahrain. In addition in Qatar US/ Swiss based Instimatch Fintech company an R3 Corda platform partner also opened up its MENA headquarters and will be offering its blockchain platform for liquidity trading as well as other tokenization solutions for the region.

Lulu Exchange was once again in the spotlight this week as it invested in Fintech Blockchain solution provider Arkin technologies.

Yet in the midst of all the digitization efforts happening in the MENA region, the new Lebanese cabinet seems to be stuck back in time. The Lebanese cabinet belongs in the past and what could have been done to make it relevant for the 21^st century.