Saudi Arabia-based SaaS provider Salla has raised a $130 million pre-IPO investment round, led by Investcorp, along with Sanabil Investment and STV.

Founded in 2016 by Nawaf Hariri and Salman Butt, Salla enables merchants to set up their e-commerce online shops within hours.

The investment was made through Investcorp Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund LP, a platform targeting equity growth capital investments across a range of companies primarily based in Saudi Arabia.

Press release:

Investcorp, a leading global alternative investment firm, today announced it has led a $130 million pre-IPO investment round in Salla, a leading SaaS e-commerce enablement platform in Saudi Arabia. The investment was made alongside Sanabil Investment, a wholly owned company by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. STV, a regional venture capital investor and an existing shareholder of Salla, also participated in the transaction.

Salla was established in 2016 in Makkah to promote the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia by providing SMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs with a proprietary SaaS solution to deliver on their e-commerce ambitions. Today, Salla enables merchants to tap into a $20 billion e-commerce market expected to grow over 25% year-on-year in the coming years. Since 2020, Salla has enabled $7 billion in e-commerce sales and currently serves over 80 thousand active merchants on the platform.

Founded by Nawaf Hariri and Salman Butt, the company now has over 160 developers focused on technology and product development. It offers merchants a fully-digitalized and automated solution, allowing them to build their e-commerce website, start selling their products online within a few hours, accept online payments, and ship their products to the end user. Beyond being fully integrated with online payment solutions and logistics companies, Salla has over 400 applications on its platform, supporting its merchants throughout the lifecycle of running an online business.

Investcorp’s investment was made through Investcorp Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund LP, a platform targeting equity growth capital investments across a range of companies primarily based in Saudi Arabia with the potential to access the capital markets. Additionally, Robin Mansour, Principal at Investcorp, will be joining the Board of Directors of Salla.

The Fund allows investors to gain exposure to growing and market-leading businesses in strategic, high-growth sectors such as business services, transport and logistics, healthcare, and consumer.Investcorp Head of Emerging Markets Private Equity, Walid Majdalani, said, “Saudi Arabia today has over a million SMEs, having grown three times over the past five years. We believe that the Kingdom’s transformation agenda will continue to drive innovation and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs, with Salla acting as a key enabler to support the development of new companies in the e-commerce ecosystem”.

He added, “We see great interest in the potential of Saudi companies to IPO, especially as scale-ups and unicorns demonstrate local and regional success. Salla has managed to grow exponentially and deliver best-in-class margins.

We are excited to be part of their next growth phase and are keen to work with the founder and management team to explore a potential future listing in line with our track record”.

Nawaf Hariri, CEO and co-founder of Salla, added, “We are deeply grateful for the trust and investment from Investcorp and Sanabil in Salla, which reflects their confidence in our vision and our platform’s potential.

This investment propels us forward in our ongoing mission to open opportunities and empower individuals, SMEs, and enterprises to start and expand their businesses both within and beyond Saudi Arabia. We are committed to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that simplify and enhance the e-commerce experience for our merchants.”

Investcorp, through Investcorp Saudi Pre-IPO Growth Fund LP, previously led a pre-IPO funding round in TruKKer, a leading MENA digital freight network, with over 45,000 trucks inducted on its platform. This was followed by the fund’s investment in NourNet, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading ICT companies, with over 1,200 B2B clients operating across 20 industries.

Source: Wamda

US-based Egyptian fintech MoneyHash has raised a $4.5 million Seed funding round, co-led by COTU Ventures and Sukna Ventures, with participation from RZM Investment, Dubai Future District Fund (DFDF), VentureFriends, and angel investors.

Founded in late 2020 by Nader Abdelrazik, Mustafa Eid and Anisha Sekar, MoneyHash is a payment orchestration that offers a comprehensive payment operating system as a service to address the various technological and product challenges faced by enterprise merchants.

In 2022, MoneyHash raised a $3 million pre-seed round.

The new funds will be used to expand the business team and growth capabilities while maintaining technological progress.

Press release:

We are thrilled to announce that MoneyHash, the first and leading payment orchestration platform in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), has successfully raised $4.5 million in a seed funding round. The round was co-led by COTU Ventures and Sukna Ventures, with participation from RZM Investment, Dubai Future District Fund, VentureFriends, and a group of strategic investors and operators.

Despite the significant slowdown in market activity, this investment illustrates the market’s confidence in MoneyHash and its potential for continued growth and market leadership. MoneyHash's proprietary payment orchestration platform and end-to-end payment operating system have garnered acclaim for their innovative approach to streamlining payment processes, making it the top choice for businesses seeking efficient and scalable payment infrastructure. This funding will enable MoneyHash to further invest in its technology and expand its business growth initiatives across the region.

Addressing Challenges in The MEA Payments Landscape

The payment landscape in the MEA is highly fragmented. Each country has tens of payment providers and methods, developing payment regulations, limited economic integration with other markets, and a diverse set of customer preferences and market dynamics.

The complexity of the ecosystem is compounded by the region's susceptibility to payment fraud, low checkout conversion rates, and increased transaction failures. "COVID certainly boosted the adoption of digital payments in the region, but the infrastructure remains significantly underdeveloped. In MEA, payment failure rates are three times the global average, and fraud rates and cart abandonment are over 20% higher than in all other regions. This places merchants in a challenging position, viewing payments as a cost and risk center rather than a strategic enabler," says Nader Abdelrazik, co-founder and CEO of MoneyHash.

Abdelrazik adds, "However, the opportunity is enormous. MEA's trillions of dollars in payments are still less than 10% digital, suggesting the region will experience the most growth over the next decade. Merchants who navigate the complex payment ecosystem effectively will reap significant benefits. This is where MoneyHash steps in."

Empowering MEA With a Full Suite of Payment Capabilities

MoneyHash offers a comprehensive payment operating system as a service to address the various technological and product challenges faced by enterprise merchants. Elena Panchenko, the Chief Product Officer of MoneyHash, emphasizes, “Payment challenges are intertwined. Rather than merchants juggling between solutions and in-house fixes, we offer a versatile suite to address current and future challenges simultaneously.”

MoneyHash's product includes a unified API to integrate pay-in and pay-out rails, a fully customizable checkout experience, transaction routing capabilities with fraud and failure rate optimizers, and a centralised transaction reporting hub. This is complemented by tools enabling various use cases, such as virtual wallets, subscription management, and payment links.

Elena adds, “An integrated set of solutions is essential for enterprise merchants to address challenges comprehensively and explore opportunities freely. The infrastructure is powered by over 200 pre-integrated APIs with payment service providers and payment methods across 80+ markets. This not only offers merchants maximum flexibility and coverage but also helps us gain the trust of our customers, knowing that all scenarios and implementations fall within our expertise.”

MoneyHash products promise a 10-20% increase in revenue generation and a 90% decrease in development costs.

MoneyHash Progress & Future Plans

MoneyHash was established in early 2021 by Nader Abdelrazik and Mustafa Eid, two Egyptian technologists with extensive backgrounds in fintech and enterprise software. After a successful BETA launch in 2022, which attracted key players in the region such as Foodics, Rain, and Tamatem, MoneyHash launched its enterprise suite last October, targeting large enterprises.

In 2023, MoneyHash doubled its network of integrations, achieved triple revenue, and grew its processing volume by 30x. It also landed large enterprise customers shortly after its October launch.

Amir Farha, Managing Partner at COTU, stated, “We firmly believe that the full potential of digital payments in MEA is yet to be realized. MoneyHash has developed a sophisticated and high-quality platform that can catalyze the growth of digital payments across the region, enabling both global and local merchants to tap into new revenue streams.

We are thrilled to renew our support for a team that has consistently demonstrated superior execution, not just in securing top mid-market and enterprise customers, but also in expanding value across the entire chain, even under challenging market conditions.”

Asher Siddiqui, General Partner at Sukna Ventures, expressed, “In the rapid digital transformation of the region, part of Sukna’s fundamental thesis is to back exceptional teams that are pioneering transformative infrastructures in specialized sectors. The team at MoneyHash embodies this vision, consisting of skilled payment operators who have leveraged their expertise to establish a competitive edge, prioritizing engineering precision above all else. Their product, refined with precision and supported by a stellar team, is exceptionally well-positioned to lead the market and define the future of digital payments in the region.”

This round marks the first Middle Eastern investment by Tom Preston-Werner, GitHub's founder and early Stripe investor, highlighting his belief in MoneyHash's product quality and its ability to solve critical customer issues. MoneyHash announced his participation in an earlier press release.

MoneyHash, headquartered in NYC with 30 team members across 9 countries globally, previously raised a $3 million pre-seed round in 2021. The new funds will primarily be used to expand the business team and growth capabilities while maintaining technological progress.

Source: Wamda

Imagine a sales interaction that feels less like a high-pressure negotiation and more like a lively brainstorming session with a trusted friend. This is the magic of the "Yes, And" approach, a game-changer in the dynamic world of sales. Forget about the pressure to close deals at any cost. Instead, enter a realm where building genuine relationships, fostering trust, and creating value for both the customer and the business are paramount.

The "Yes, And" philosophy isn't just a catchy phrase; it's rooted in the collaborative spirit of improvisation. Like actors building on each other's ideas to craft a captivating story, sales professionals who embrace "Yes, And" become active listeners.

They attentively listen to their customers, acknowledging their needs and concerns. Then, they add value by offering solutions and insights that directly resonate with the customer's unique goals and aspirations.

This shift from a transactional to a relational approach is the power of positive affirmation. Instead of solely pushing products or services, "Yes, And" practitioners engage in meaningful dialogues. They validate the customer's perspective, demonstrating a sincere interest in their success. This fosters trust far beyond a simple "yes" to a product or service. It lays the foundation for long-term partnerships built on mutual respect and a deep understanding of each other's needs.

Picture this: A salesperson is meeting with a client from a growing tech startup. The client expresses concerns about the scalability of their current marketing automation software as their company expands. Instead of launching into a pre-prepared sales pitch for a specific product, the salesperson adopts the "Yes, And" approach.

They acknowledge the client's concerns, and then "And" add value by offering insights into their company's experience with similar situations. They share success stories of how they helped other clients with similar scaling challenges, showcasing their expertise and genuine desire to support the client's growth. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of trust and partnership, making the client feel confident in exploring potential solutions together.

Collaboration, not dictation, is the cornerstone of the "Yes, And" philosophy. Forget the outdated image of a salesperson dictating terms. This approach encourages a co-creative process where both parties actively participate in value creation. By involving customers in the decision-making process and seeking their input on potential solutions, sales professionals foster a sense of ownership and investment in the final outcome. This approach extends beyond simply selling a product; it's about empowering customers to achieve their goals through a collaborative partnership.

At the heart of "Yes, And" lies the powerful duo of empathy and emotional intelligence. By stepping into the customer's shoes and understanding their individual challenges and aspirations, sales professionals can tailor their approach to resonate on a deeper level. This empathetic connection goes beyond the transaction, paving the way for genuine relationships built on trust and authenticity. Imagine a salesperson who, instead of pushing a specific product, helps a customer navigate a complex decision by offering personalized insights and support.

They actively listen to the customer's concerns, understand their unique context, and then suggest solutions that genuinely address their needs. This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also fosters long-term loyalty.

The business landscape is a constantly evolving ecosystem, and adaptability is the key to thriving. The "Yes, And" approach is an ode to innovation, encouraging sales professionals to think outside the box and explore new ways to add value.

By embracing change and continuously seeking opportunities to improve, they position themselves not just as salespeople, but as trusted advisors and thought leaders within their industries. They become experts in their field, constantly researching and developing new solutions to meet the evolving needs of their customers.

In conclusion, redefining sales success through the lens of "Yes, And" is more than a strategy; it's a mindset shift. It's about fostering positive interactions, working collaboratively, leveraging empathy, and embracing innovation. By embracing these principles, sales professionals can elevate their performance, build lasting relationships, and set themselves apart in a competitive marketplace. So, take a deep breath, step onto the dance floor of possibility, and say "Yes, And" to a new era of sales success, where collaboration, trust, and shared value are the driving forces behind every interaction.

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Anabolic Food Technologies, a Saudi-based food tech company, has announced the closing of a $9 million seed round at a valuation of $33 million. The investment will be used to accelerate the company's technology development and expand its reach in the Saudi market.

Technology:

Anabolic's app uses machine learning to analyze a user's unique dietary needs and preferences, creating customized meal plans that fit their lifestyle. Whether you're a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast, or a student on the go, the app has something for everyone.

About Anabolic:

Founded in 2023, Anabolic is a food tech company specializing in personalized meal plans and supply chain solutions. The company's platform leverages the expertise of chefs, nutritionists, and software engineers to combine culinary artistry with the precision of food algorithms.

The Saudi Food Tech Industry:

The Saudi food tech industry is a rapidly growing sector, attracting significant investment and fostering a wave of innovative startups. Driven by factors like rising demand for convenience and healthy food options, government support for the tech sector, and increasing smartphone penetration, the industry is expected to continue its upward trajectory, offering exciting opportunities for both startups and investors.

UAE-based cloud kitchen startup The Cloud has taken a significant step towards solidifying its position as a global leader in the food tech industry. The company recently secured $12 million in its Series B funding round, led by MENA Moonshots. This latest investment brings their total funding to $22 million, following a previous $10 million Series A round and debt financing from Aluna Partners.

The secured funds will be instrumental in fueling The Cloud's ambitious global expansion plans. A key element of this strategy is the recent acquisition of UK-based food tech company KBOX. This strategic move strengthens The Cloud's presence in the international market, adding 200 locations to its existing network. With the acquisition, The Cloud now boasts a total of 200 locations across 7 countries and 91 cities.

Beyond geographical expansion, The Cloud remains dedicated to its core mission of redefining the virtual dining landscape.
The company's innovative approach connects restaurant owners with external food delivery companies, optimizing kitchen utilization and fostering a collaborative environment within the food tech sector. This unique business model positions The Cloud as a disruptor in the industry, constantly seeking to drive innovation and enhance the dining experience for both consumers and restaurant partners.

Key Highlights:

• Funding:Secured $12 million in Series B round, led by MENA Moonshots, bringing total funding to $22 million.
• Acquisition:Acquired KBOX, a UK-based food tech company, expanding The Cloud's network by 200 locations.
• Expansion:Aims to reach a global presence of 8,000 locations by 2027.
• Future:Exploring the possibility of a dual listing in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

Quotes:

• Georges Karam, CEO of The Cloud:"Our Series B funding and the KBOX acquisition reinforce our position as innovators in the global food tech landscape. With a strong financial backing and a strategic acquisition under our belt, we are now focused on further enhancing our market presence in the UAE and beyond."
  
  
• Stefano Sciacca, Managing Director at Aluna Partners:"We believe that The Cloud will gain a significant market share in the UK market through the acquisition of KBOX. Having looked at many food tech business models, we believe The Cloud is emerging as a global market leader and are excited to support such a fast-growing venture."

The Cloud's recent achievements demonstrate its commitment to growth, innovation, and leadership within the food tech industry. With a robust business model, a strategic acquisition strategy, and a clear vision for the future, The Cloud is well-positioned to achieve its ambitious goals and continue shaping the landscape of virtual dining on a global scale.

The MENA startup ecosystem witnessed a cautious yet promising start in January 2024, with startups securing a total of $86.5 million in funding across 33 deals. While this marked a 34% decrease year-on-year, it serves as a bellwether for the year's funding activity, offering insights into the region's entrepreneurial landscape and investment trends.

Regional Funding Breakdown

UAE: Reclaimed Position as Regional Leader

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerged as the regional leader, with its startups collectively securing an impressive $47 million in funding. Notably, the largest funding round of the month, a substantial $35 million pre-seed investment in the travel tech disruptor, Tumodo, underscored the region's confidence in the potential of the travel sector.

Egypt: Encouraging Signs of Recovery

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of recovery, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive trend represents a significant improvement from the previous month and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Consistent Activity and Funding

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity, with 15 startups securing a combined $11 million. While not leading the pack in funding, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Other Countries: Diverse Funding Landscape

The funding distribution extended beyond the top three countries, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Countries such as Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia also witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Sector Analysis

Fintech: Slight Slowdown in Funding

While fintech remains the region's most active sector, it experienced a slight slowdown in January, with five startups raising $12 million. Despite the dip, fintech continues to play a crucial role in the MENA startup ecosystem.

Travel Tech: Impressive Performance and Potential

Travel tech unexpectedly emerged as the top-performing sector, propelled by Tumodo's significant funding round, totaling $40.6 million. This investment highlights the sector's potential for post-pandemic recovery and investor confidence.

Healthcare: Promising Growth and Investor Interest

The healthcare sector exhibited promising growth, with two startups securing $11 million. This indicates growing investor interest in addressing critical healthcare challenges within the region.

Mobility: Attracting Investment and Opportunities

The mobility sector also saw three startups raise over $5 million, signaling opportunities and investor confidence in addressing transportation and mobility needs.

Startup Funding Distribution

Early-stage and seed-stage startups continued to attract substantial funding, garnering a combined $53 million. This highlights the region's commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial ecosystem and fostering innovation. Additionally, B2B startups raised over $57 million across 14 deals, while B2C startups secured $28 million across 18 deals.

However, the gender disparity in investment remains a concern, with only one female-founded startup managing to secure funding. This underscores the need for continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the MENA startup landscape.

MENA Startup Funding Distribution

UAE: Regional Powerhouse

The UAE established itself as the undisputed leader, securing a staggering $47 million in funding. This dominant position underscores the strength and maturity of the UAE's startup ecosystem, attracting significant investor confidence.

Egypt: Emerging Phoenix

Egypt showcased encouraging signs of revival, raising $23 million across seven deals. This positive shift marks a significant improvement and signals a potential return to form for the nation's entrepreneurial scene.

Saudi Arabia: Steady Progress

Saudi Arabia maintained its consistent activity with 15 startups securing a combined $10.7 million. While not leading the pack this time, Saudi Arabia continues to demonstrate a stable and promising startup environment.

Beyond the Big Three: Funding Distribution in Other Countries

The funding distribution extends beyond the top three, highlighting the diverse landscape of the MENA region. Qatar, Morocco, Iraq, Oman, Lebanon, and Tunisia all witnessed funding activity, showcasing the breadth and potential of the region's entrepreneurial spirit.

Nurturing the Future

Early-stage startups, encompassing both Pre-Seed and Seed funding rounds, received the highest share, attracting a combined $52 million. This signifies a strong emphasis on fostering and supporting the next generation of innovative ventures within the region. Following closely behind were Pre-Series A and Series A funding rounds, collectively securing $20 million, demonstrating continued support for established startups poised for further growth. Finally, the "Other" category, encompassing various funding stages and types, received $17.8 million, further emphasizing the diverse nature of the investment landscape.

Sector Spotlight

Travel & Tourism unexpectedly emerged as the top sector, grabbing a surprising $40.6 million, largely driven by the massive pre-seed round secured by Tumodo. This significant investment highlights the potential and investor confidence in the sector's post-pandemic recovery. Fintech, the region's traditionally dominant sector, maintained its relevance with $12 million distributed across five deals, solidifying its continued importance within the MENA startup ecosystem. Meanwhile, the healthcare and mobility sectors also displayed promising growth, attracting $11 million and $5 million respectively, indicating growing investor interest in these critical areas.

The comprehensive analysis of the MENA startup funding landscape reveals a dynamic and multifaceted ecosystem. The region boasts a prominent leader in the UAE, an emerging force in Egypt, and consistent activity across numerous other countries. The funding distribution across stages and sectors unveils a strategic focus on nurturing early-stage ventures, supporting established startups, and exploring new avenues of innovation. As the region continues to evolve, this diverse and promising ecosystem holds immense potential for future growth and groundbreaking advancements.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is pleased to announce the opening of the call for applications for the 2024 WIPO Global Awards. The application period will be open from January 15 to 31 March, 2024.

This year, the competition welcomes startups, in addition to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all over the world, operating in all sectors of the economy – whether in technology, agriculture, creative industries or others. Applications are welcome from those using all forms of intellectual property (IP), from copyright and trademarks to patents and geographical indications.

The application form is available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Japanese.

An independent jury will select up to seven winners. Each winner will be invited to attend an awards ceremony during the WIPO General Assembly in July in Geneva.

Each winner will also receive a personalized mentoring program aimed at promoting the use of IP, pursuing new business goals, accessing financial resources, and making a greater impact.

For more information, please visit the WIPO Global Awards website: https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/en/how-to-apply.html

About WIPO:

WIPO is an intergovernmental organization that aims to promote the protection of intellectual property (IP) around the world. It was established in 1970, following the convening of important conferences such as the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886).

Additional Information:

• Official website: https://www.wipo.int/
• Date of establishment of WIPO: 1970
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Number of member states: 193

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE:

L'Organisation Mondiale de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OMPI) a le plaisir d'annoncer l'ouverture de l'appel à candidatures pour les Prix mondiaux WIPO 2024. La période de candidature sera ouverte du 15 janvier au 31 mars 2024.

Cette année, le concours accueille les startups, en plus des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) du monde entier, opérant dans tous les secteurs de l'économie - que ce soit dans la technologie, l'agriculture, les industries créatives ou autres. Les candidatures sont les bienvenues de la part de ceux qui utilisent toutes les formes de propriété intellectuelle (PI), du droit d'auteur et des marques aux brevets et aux indications géographiques.

Le formulaire de candidature est disponible en anglais, français, espagnol, arabe, chinois, russe et japonais.

Un jury indépendant sélectionnera jusqu'à sept lauréats. Chaque lauréat sera invité à assister à une cérémonie de remise des prix lors de l'Assemblée générale de l'OMPI en juillet à Genève.

Chaque lauréat recevra également un programme de mentorat personnalisé visant à promouvoir l'utilisation de la PI, à poursuivre de nouveaux objectifs commerciaux, à accéder à des ressources financières et à avoir un impact plus important.

Pour plus d'informations, veuillez visiter le site Web des Prix mondiaux WIPO:

https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/fr/how-to-apply.html

À propos de l'OMPI:

L'OMPI est une organisation internationale intergouvernementale qui vise à promouvoir la protection de la propriété intellectuelle dans le monde entier. Elle a été créée en 1970, après la tenue de conférences importantes telles que la Conférence de Paris pour la propriété industrielle (1883) et la Conférence de Berne pour la protection des œuvres littéraires et artistiques (1886).

Informations complémentaires:

• Site officiel : https://www.wipo.int/portal/fr/index.html
• Date de création de l'OMPI : 1970
• Siège : Genève, Suisse
• Nombre d'États membres : 193

بيان صادر عن المنظمة العالمية لحماية حقوق الملكية الفكرية:

يسعدنا أن نعلن عن الدعوة للمشاركة في جوائز الويبو العالمية لعام 2024، التي تفتتح من 15 كانون الثاني / يناير ولغاية 31 اذار/ مارس 2024.

وترحّب المسابقة هذا العام بالشركات الناشئة إلى جانب الشركات الصغيرة والمتوسطة من جميع أنحاء العالم، والتي تنشط في جميع قطاعات الاقتصاد - سواء في التكنولوجيا أو الزراعة أو الصناعات الإبداعية أو غيرها. ونرحب بالطلبات التي تستخدم جميع أشكال الملكية الفكرية، من حق المؤلف والعلامات التجارية والبراءات والمؤشرات الجغرافية.

ونموذج الطلب متاح باللغات الإنكليزية والفرنسية والإسبانية والعربية والصينية والروسية واليابانية.

وستختار لجنة تحكيم مستقلة مجموعة تصل إلى سبعة فائزين. وسيتلقى كل منهم دعوة لحضور حفل توزيع الجوائز خلال الجمعية العامة للويبو في شهر يوليو في جنيف.

وسيحصل كل فائز وفائزة أيضاً على برنامج توجيهي خاص وموجّه نحو تعزيز استخدام الملكية الفكرية، والسعي وراء أهداف تجارية جديدة، والنفاذ إلى الموارد المالية، وإحداث تأثير أكبر.

لمزيد من المعلومات، يرجى زيارة موقع جوائز الويبو العالمية: https://www.wipo.int/global-awards/ar/how-to-apply.html

-انتهى-

عن الويبو:

الويبو هي منظمة دولية تابعة للأمم المتحدة تهدف إلى تنظيم حقوق الملكية الفكرية على مستوى العالم. تأسست عام 1970، بعد انعقاد مؤتمرات مهمة مثل مؤتمر باريس للملكية الصناعية (1883) ومؤتمر حماية المصنفات الأدبية والفنية (1886).

معلومات إضافية:

• الموقع الرسمي  : https://www.wipo.int/portal/ar/index.html
• تاريخ تأسيس الويبو: 1970
• المقر الرئيسي: جنيف، سويسرا
• عدد الدول الأعضاء: 193 دولة

The meeting discussed the efforts to prepare the cooperation programme between Egypt and Switzerland for 2025-2028

Rania A. Al-Mashat, the Minister of International Cooperation and Egypt’s Governor at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, met with Patricia Danzi, the Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Maya Tesavi, the Head of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs, today. The meeting was attended by Yvonne Baumann, the Swiss Ambassador to Egypt, and officials from the Swiss Embassy and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The meeting discussed the efforts to prepare the cooperation programme between Egypt and Switzerland for 2025-2028, which will follow the current Swiss cooperation programme from 2021-2024, covering governance, human rights, green growth, youth skills development, protection issues, and migration.

Al-Mashat emphasized the importance of the Egyptian-Swiss economic cooperation relations and the Egyptian government’s keenness to strengthen this partnership and expand it to serve the national development agenda and the implementation of development priorities in various fields.

She also reviewed the cooperation with the institutions of the Team Europe Initiative from 2020-2023 and the preparation for the future period of joint work, referring to the comprehensive report on the Egyptian development cooperation relations under the title “Egypt & Team Europe: A Shared Development Vision for Progress and Prosperity.”

She added that Egyptian-European relations are developing within a framework of integration and partnership that meets the development requirements following the national development priorities and determinants.

She explained that the projects within the NWFE programme, a nexus of water, food and energy projects, achieve many goals, such as advancing towards comprehensive development in various parts of Egypt, diversifying between mitigation and adaptation projects to cope with climate change, implementing water desalination projects, supporting the capabilities of small farmers to adapt to climate change, increasing agricultural crop productivity and farmers’ incomes through the use of modern technology and clean energy, and benefiting from innovative financing tools to mobilize investments worth $14.7bn.

Patricia Danzi, the Director General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, stated, “In November 2023, Switzerland disbursed an additional $102m in response to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip and the region, which will address basic humanitarian needs such as water, food and medical care.”

Source: Zawya