Dubai e-Government and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Foundation have announced the launch of e-Contribution. It's a new electronic payment initiative to raise funds for the Iraqi people.
With the recent SQLslammer worm nearly bringing the internet to a grinding halt, awareness is growing of the need for better e-security and virus protection. Internet security leader Symantec is holding security seminars around the region and has also just released its latest Internet Security Threat Report.
Moroccan-founded Hightech Payment Systems (HPS) is launching operations in the Middle East, with the opening of a new office in Dubai Internet City. Current trends show rapid growth for electronic payment, with plastic an increasingly popular alternative to cash.