business bites Bahrainthismonth.com April 2024 63 stc BAHRAIN HARNESSES AI FACE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENTS AIM TO SPARK USD70M SURGE IN BAHRAIN’S TOURISM Visit Bahrain has announced the successful attraction of 40,000 tourists from Eastern European countries to Bahrain between November 2024 and April 2025. This was achieved through the signing of four cooperation agreements with travel and tourism agencies in Eastern Europe during the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin. These tourists are expected to contribute a total of USD70 million in expenditure across various sectors of the tourism industry, including hotels, restaurants, transportation, tourist attractions and entertainment venues. Visit Bahrain CEO, Ali Amralla comments: “Visit Bahrain seeks to expand its business and strengthen its leadership in the tourism industry while supporting the broader tourism strategy in the Kingdom. This includes extending the average duration of a tourist’s stay to over three nights and boosting daily spending to more than BHD73.” Visit Bahrain’s team will coordinate the arrival of European tourists through four weekly flights over a six-month period in addition to necessary accommodation and entertainment. stc Bahrain has announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind instant mobile SIM activation service using AI face recognition technology. This pioneering technology-driven solution will revolutionise the customer experience by offering a digital journey powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and eSIM technology. The move is expected to significantly contribute to Bahrain’s digital transformation agenda in line with the Kingdom’s 2030 economic vision. “stc Bahrain is proud to be the first telecom operator to use AI facial recognition technology, solidifying Bahrain’s position in technology and innovation excellence,” says stc Bahrain CEO, Eng. Nezar Banabeela. “By leveraging AI face recognition technology and eSIM capabilities, our existing and new subscribers can get an eSIM number online and activate it without visiting any stc outlet. Our aim is to empower customers by offering a seamless digital experience that enhances convenience and efficiency,” he adds. Collaborative efforts of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) supported the implementation of stc Bahrain’s new AI-powered instant mobile SIM activation solution. MOU SIGNED FOR UPCOMING MEET ICT & BITEX The Bahrain Technology Companies Society (BTECH) and its counterpart, P@SHA Pakistan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the upcoming ICT Conference (MEET ICT) and the Bahrain International Technology Exhibition (BITEX) scheduled for November. The partnership was announced during the signing ceremony between BTECH Chairman, Tareq Fakhroo and P@SHA Chairman of the Board, Muhammad Zohaib, at the LEAP 2024 conference and exhibition in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As part of the MoU, joint expertise will be leveraged in organising and launching MEET ICT and BITEX.“The agreement’s provisions extend to fostering collaboration between companies from Bahrain and Pakistan, facilitating the mutual exchange of information and experiences. Furthermore, the terms encompass the active participation of the Pakistani pavilion in the upcoming edition of BITEX,” comments Mr. Fakhroo. MEET ICT Conference, scheduled for November, will coincide with BITEX and aims to focus on the development of technological strategies. This includes initiatives to promote sustainable products and services among consumers and redirecting capital towards sustainable solutions.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk0MTkxMQ==