VFS Global to promote Czechia’s allure to Middle East travelers

Travelers from Middle East can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage.
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Updated 08 April 2025
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VFS Global to promote Czechia’s allure to Middle East travelers

VFS Global has been appointed as the destination representation partner for CzechTourism in Middle East to showcase Czechia’s diverse travel experiences and unique attractions. Leveraging its extensive reach and expertise, VFS Global will drive marketing, public relations and trade engagement efforts to boost visitor numbers and enhance overall awareness of Czechia as a premier destination.

Travelers from Middle East can experience Czechia’s exciting outdoor activities and rich cultural heritage — featuring majestic castles, chateaux, 17 UNESCO monuments, historic cities and Czech cuisine in traditional and modern form. With this strategic collaboration, CzechTourism and VFS Global are poised to elevate Czechia’s presence on the global tourism map, inspiring more travelers to explore the country’s beauty and cultural richness.

Jana Štumpová Konicarová, marketing director and director of foreign offices at CzechTourism, said: “We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with VFS Global to promote Czechia’s rich cultural and natural attractions to travelers from the Middle East. In 2024, Czechia welcomed over 80,000 Middle East-based visitors, reflecting a growing interest in our vibrant cities, historic landmarks and serene countryside. Through this partnership, we aim to inspire even more travelers to explore and create lasting memories in one of Europe’s most captivating destinations.”

Barbara Andelová, international marketing manager — new markets at CzechTourism, added: “Partnering with VFS Global presents a tremendous opportunity to amplify Czechia’s presence in the Middle East. With a strategic focus on PR and marketing initiatives, our goal is to showcase Czechia’s deep-rooted heritage, diverse landscapes and unique travel experiences to a broader audience. Through this collaboration, we look forward to building stronger connections with the travel trade and media fraternity, inspiring more visitors to discover the charm of our country.”

G.B. Srithar, global head of tourism services at VFS Global, said: “We are happy to partner with CzechTourism to promote its diverse and exciting offerings to Middle East-based travelers ... With Middle East-based travelers becoming more discerning in their travel needs — seeking rich gastronomy, immersive heritage and authentic local experiences — they will find Czechia a very appealing destination. At VFS Global, we are delighted to foster a long-term partnership, building on our strong travel trade partner-friendships across the Middle East.”


Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs

Updated 08 June 2025
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Riyad Bank and Mastercard join forces to empower MSMEs

Riyad Bank and Mastercard have collaborated to provide small and medium-sized businesses in Saudi Arabia with enhanced access to funding. The two entities have introduced a unique credit card program offering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises access to financial solutions to grow and thrive.

As part of the agreement, Riyad Bank will enable MSMEs across the Kingdom with a three-tier credit program providing greater choice and flexibility in the form of unique cards: the Mastercard NMOO Business Credit Card, Mastercard NMOO Executive Credit Card, and Mastercard NMOO World Credit Card.

Each of these unique products will offer flexible limits, supporting enterprises and entrepreneurs to take greater control of their futures. They will deliver real-time solutions that support MSMEs to help buy, operate and sell, bridging financing gaps, and providing access to funding by enabling enterprises to get approved for credit facilities, for example, for business expansion.

“As one of the largest financial institutions in the Kingdom, we are fully committed to serving as a trusted financial solutions partner to the people, businesses, and entities we support,” said Mohammed Abo Al-Naja, chief corporate banking officer, Riyad Bank. “Over the years, we have helped to drive the growth and development of Saudi Arabia’s micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises ecosystem, and today, we are more determined than ever to empower businesses to realize their potential. We are pleased to have partnered with Mastercard to launch our truly novel three-tier credit program, powering the future of MSMEs with timely access to crucial funding.”

“At a time when Saudi entrepreneurship is truly beginning to flourish, we recognize that effective partnerships and innovation are essential to empowering micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to advance and thrive,” said Adam Jones, EVP and division president, West Arabia, Mastercard. “Our partnership with Riyad Bank was launched with this goal in mind. Together, we aim to provide MSMEs with essential access to critical lending and funding. We look forward to expanding our first-of-its-kind program to more businesses across the country and supporting them in achieving their goals.”


SAS digital twins transform manufacturing

Updated 08 June 2025
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SAS digital twins transform manufacturing

SAS is poised to help transform critical processes in the manufacturing industry with enhanced digital twins that combine SAS’ powerful AI and advanced analytics with Unreal Engine from Epic Games.

With these digital twins, manufacturers like Georgia-Pacific can experiment with new strategies in simulated digital worlds, then take the best approaches and implement them in the real world.
One of the world’s leading manufacturers of paper and wood-based building products, GP is piloting these enhanced digital twins at its Savannah River Mill, which manufactures napkins, paper towels and toilet tissue.

GP is leveraging SAS’ technology to optimize its use of automated guided vehicles and other processes.

 


New digital health platform for pilgrims

Updated 08 June 2025
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New digital health platform for pilgrims

Healthtrip, the world’s largest health travel platform, has launched Healinharam.com, a dedicated digital platform that connects international tourists, particularly pilgrims, to a trusted network of medical, wellness, and chronic care services across Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah.

The initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia’s broader ambition to establish itself as a global hub for medical and wellness tourism, in line with Vision 2030.

It also responds to increasing demand for high-quality care services during pilgrimage as the Kingdom continues to rapidly scale its healthcare infrastructure and wellness offerings.

Through Healinharam.com, pilgrims can now book health screenings, wellness therapies, and essential treatments such as dialysis, chemotherapy, and others, at leading Saudi hospitals.


Najm showcases traffic accident response system

Updated 08 June 2025
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Najm showcases traffic accident response system

Abdullah Al-Khalaf, acting CEO of Najm for Insurance Services, announced that the company has developed an integrated digital system for its traffic accident inspection service.

This development contributes to improving the efficiency and speed of handling and responding to traffic accidents, ensuring the safety of road users, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting environmental sustainability.

This announcement came during Najm’s participation in a workshop organized by Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, titled “Mechanisms for Dealing with Road Accident Offenders Under the Influence of Drugs.”

The event was held on May 28–29, with the participation of Arab and international experts specializing in security and safety.

Al-Khalaf emphasized Najm’s role in supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 through the development of a smart, digital insurance sector.


XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community

Updated 08 June 2025
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XYZVerse warns against ongoing phishing scams targeting community

The XYZVerse team has alerted its community to an increase in phishing scams and impersonation attempts by malicious actors posing as official representatives. The warning has been posted on XYZVerse’s official X account. These scammers are distributing fraudulent links, attempting to deceive users into revealing sensitive wallet information or transferring funds under false pretenses.

The rise in scam activity comes as XYZVerse gains momentum within the Web3 and meme coin space. With a growing community, rising visibility, and ongoing project development, the platform has become a target for opportunistic attackers seeking to exploit its success.

To maintain transparency and security, XYZVerse has undergone independent security audits conducted by Pessimistic and SolidProof, two established firms in the Web3 security space. These audits are designed to assess and validate the integrity of the project’s smart contracts, helping to identify potential vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.

The project’s official Polygon-based token address is publicly available on the XYZVerse website, and XYZ tokens are only available for purchase through the official website: xyzverse.io.

Warning signs of a scam:

  • Messages from fake “XYZVerse Support” or team members
  • Suspicious links promising exclusive airdrops or claiming token sale updates
  • Requests for wallet access, seed phrases, or private keys

Fake communication often mimics the tone and branding of the project’s official channels. These attempts have included messages from unaffiliated Telegram or social media accounts, links to counterfeit airdrops, and websites mimicking the xyzverse.io domain. No legitimate communication will request wallet credentials, seed phrases, or private access information.

XYZVerse is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with its security partners and will continue taking steps to minimize exposure to fraudulent activity. Updates will be shared through established and verified communication channels.