Happy Friday everyone!

Qatar has ordered a one-week suspension of Talabat services following repeated breaches of consumer protection laws, citing misleading product information and service failures. In Saudi Arabia, a new Visa report shows 59% of residents now prefer digital apps for sending money abroad, driven by convenience, speed, and security, with remittances reaching SAR 144 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, Israeli media report that the UAE has barred Israeli defense firms from participating in the Dubai Airshow, a move linked to rising regional tensions after Israel’s recent airstrike in Doha.

But before that: For quick daily updates, follow us on Instagram, and you can watch our Smashi Business Show live every weekday from 10AM onwards (UAE time). Also, you can join our Whatsapp channel to receive updates from the business world.

Markets

Talabat Faces One-Week Suspension in Qatar Over Misleading Practices

🔹 What Is It About

Qatar’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry has ordered a one-week suspension of Talabat services in the country, citing repeated violations of consumer protection laws. The ministry found the platform in breach of Articles 7 and 11 of Law No. 8 of 2008, following multiple complaints related to misleading product information, deceptive practices, and failure to guarantee its services.

🔹 Why It Matters

Talabat is one of the region’s largest food and grocery delivery platforms, operating across the Middle East and North Africa. The suspension highlights regulatory scrutiny on online marketplaces and the importance of transparency in digital commerce, signaling that even major regional players are accountable for consumer protection.

🔹 What’s Next

Talabat Holding PLC said it is cooperating with Qatari authorities to resolve the issue and restore services promptly. The company has also launched an internal review to evaluate potential financial impacts. Authorities will likely monitor compliance closely, and the outcome could influence regulatory oversight of other delivery platforms in the region.

Your Phone = Card Machine with Ziina’s Tap to Pay

Turn your phone into an all-in-one payment solution with Ziina’s Tap to Pay - no hardware, no hassle. Accept cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay instantly, wherever business takes you - markets, pop-ups, or in-store. Licensed by the Central Bank and built for UAE entrepreneurs, Ziina makes payments simple, secure, and seamless. Get started in just one minute with your Emirates ID and enjoy no fees on your first AED 7,000 in payments. After that, pay only 2.9% + AED 1 per transaction, with no extra charges for international cards.

Click here to avail the special offer brought to you by Smashi Business.

Majority of Saudi Residents Now Prefer Digital Apps for Sending Money Abroad, Visa Study Finds

🔹 What Is It About

A new Visa report reveals that 59% of remittance senders in Saudi Arabia now prefer digital apps over traditional physical centers. The shift is driven by speed, convenience, security, and ease of use, with more people gaining confidence in sending money digitally. With 93% of respondents sending remittances at least once a year, digital platforms are increasingly becoming the default choice for expatriates and residents supporting loved ones abroad.

🔹 Why It Matters

Remittances from Saudi Arabia reached SAR 144 billion in 2024, highlighting their importance for families and communities. The growing adoption of digital channels offers faster, safer, and more transparent transfers, which is particularly vital for humanitarian support and family assistance. The trend underscores the Kingdom’s broader digital finance transformation and the role of technology in enhancing financial inclusion.

🔹 What’s Next

Visa is expanding its Visa Direct real-time transfer service in partnership with local banks to further simplify cross-border payments. While adoption is rising, fees and receiving costs remain challenges for some users. Continued improvements in accessibility, affordability, and user experience will likely accelerate the shift, making digital remittances the primary method for sending money abroad in Saudi Arabia.

UAE Reportedly Bars Israeli Defense Firms From Dubai Airshow Amid Rising Tensions

🔹 What Is It About

Israeli media claim that the United Arab Emirates has barred Israeli defense companies from participating in the upcoming Dubai Airshow, citing “security reasons.” The decision, reportedly conveyed through Israel’s Defense Ministry, comes as the event prepares to welcome more than 1,400 exhibitors and 135,000 attendees from nearly 100 countries between November 17–21. Bloomberg also quoted a source confirming the news.

🔹 Why It Matters

The move is seen against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Just days earlier, Israel carried out a deadly airstrike in Doha targeting Hamas leaders, an action described by Gulf states as reckless and destabilizing. In response, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited Qatar in a rare show of solidarity, underscoring a shift in Gulf states’ stance toward Israel.

🔹 What’s Next

While no official confirmation has come from the UAE or the Dubai Airshow organizers, the exclusion of Israeli defense firms—if maintained—could mark a setback for Israel’s defense exports and its standing in Gulf markets. The situation may also test the resilience of the Abraham Accords, raising questions about the future trajectory of UAE–Israel ties amid ongoing regional escalations.

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Arada & Tashas Group Launch AED100M Venture to Bring Chic Cafés and Dining Concepts to the GCC, Starting in Sharjah 2025.

• Red Sea Cable Cuts Disrupt Internet Across UAE and Region, Repairs May Take Weeks.

• Saudi Arabia Unveils $1.8B Qiddiya Olympic Stadium to Anchor 2030 Sports Vision.

• Copycat Shut Down: “Salt London” Locked Out After Lease Forfeiture in Leicester Square.

• Qatar’s $524B Wealth Fund Supercharges AI Push with Anthropic and 25 More Tech Bets.

🔍In other news…

• Rise in property prices ‘unacceptable’ says Saudi crown prince

• Saudi Arabia’s FII Summit Heads to Tokyo in Latest Sign of Deepening Asia Ties

• Adia partners in $1.6bn deal backing US data centre operator

• Prince Harry donates $500,000 to help wounded children in Ukraine and Gaza

🏦 Crypto Corner

• Michael Saylor — Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy and one of Bitcoin’s most vocal corporate advocates — will make his first-ever appearance in the UAE at Bitcoin MENA in Abu Dhabi.

• Hut 8, part of a American BTC which is partially owned by Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Gets Approval to Operate in Dubai Financial Hub.

• Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now accept AE Coin.

We are launching a Smashi Crypto newsletter in September 2025! Subscribe to it here to get the weekly updates from the world of digital assets.

Latest from the Smashi Business Studio

Were you forwarded this email? Subscribe here