Syria is online: Syrian Pavilion debuts at GITEX Expand North Star 2025 in Dubai

Bassel Yassine Ojjeh, chairman of SYNC (organizer of the Syrian Pavilion)
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Updated 11 October 2025
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Syria is online: Syrian Pavilion debuts at GITEX Expand North Star 2025 in Dubai

For the first time, the Syrian Pavilion will take part in GITEX Expand North Star 2025, the world’s largest event for innovation and entrepreneurship, held in Dubai from Oct. 12 to 15, 2025. Under the slogan “Syria is Online,” the pavilion highlights the nation’s re-emergence in the global digital economy, showcasing Syrian talent, creativity, and innovation to international investors and technology leaders.

The pavilion will serve as a dynamic hub for Syrian startups and entrepreneurs to present their projects to top investors and partners, shedding light on inspiring success stories from across the tech ecosystem. It aims to build bridges for collaboration, employment, and cross-border partnerships.

Key highlights include:

  • Startup pitches at the Syrian Pavilion and on North Star’s main stages.
  • Panel discussions and interactive sessions on the future of technology and entrepreneurship in Syria.
  • Networking events connecting founders, investors, and organizations.

Empowering the next generation of Syrian talent

Bassel Yassine Ojjeh, chairman of SYNC and organizer of the Syrian Pavilion, said: “Our slogan ‘Syria is Online’ is a mission. We’re working to build a strong technological ecosystem that creates real opportunities for Syrian youth. Our goal is to generate 25,000 tech-related jobs within five years. Participating in GITEX Expand North Star is a vital step toward that goal — an opportunity to showcase Syrian talent and build partnerships that open doors for a new generation shaping the digital future.”

Backed by local and international support

The initiative is supported by the Syrian Business Council, SYNC, and the US–Syria Business Council, reflecting growing confidence in Syrian innovation and its potential to contribute to the global digital economy.

Reconnecting Syria to the global tech map

The Syrian Pavilion is not just an exhibition space — it’s a strategic platform positioning Syria as a hub for technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. This milestone participation marks a turning point for Syria’s digital revival, connecting its innovators to the world and creating long-term economic opportunities.

GITEX Expand North Star 2025 is running from Oct. 12-15 at Dubai Harbor.


STC Bank launches business portal for businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers

Updated 10 February 2026
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STC Bank launches business portal for businesses, entrepreneurs and freelancers

STC Bank has launched a business portal as part of its strategy to provide integrated and Shariah-compliant digital banking services targeting multinationals, entrepreneurs and self-employed. The move reflects the bank’s commitment to enhancing and facilitating the banking experience through modern digital solutions.

The Business Portal is the first integrated digital experience that enables business customers to start their banking relationships and manage their entire business through a single digital platform, designed to meet the needs of various sectors, providing an easy and flexible banking journey characterized by simplicity and ease of use.

The portal provides a comprehensive dashboard that allows business owners to efficiently manage users, financial structuring and authorization matrix, where users can be added, assigned, and manage access to banking services flexibly within an advanced digital experience.

The Business Portal also includes a full range of banking services, most notably payments and remittances, beneficiary management, statement review and extraction, digital certificate issuance, as well as employee salary management, giving business owners full control over their financial operations through a unified and secure platform.

STC Bank allows registration and availing of business portal services through its website, while ensuring the highest levels of security using the latest cybersecurity and advanced financial technologies.

The launch of the upgraded Business Portal is part of STC Bank’s digital transformation journey toward building an integrated digital bank, which provides innovative banking solutions that contribute to supporting the growth of the business sector and enhancing the digital economy in the Kingdom.