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As one of the world’s most influential business hubs, the Middle East requires expert attention. Business Extra provides those experts, as well as news and insights from The National’s esteemed team of business editors and reporters, who are on top of the markets, technology, the energy sector and more.
Episodes
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Thursday Sep 05, 2024
The future of digital banking in the UAE
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Thursday Sep 05, 2024
Banking institutions are a common denominator for many throughout the developed world. Though often portrayed as powerful and imposing, banks, especially in recent times, have learnt to move quickly.
They have to adjust to consumer behaviour, and of course, make the most of technologies that change at a breakneck pace.
The banks of the Middle East, of course, are no different, and often, they are proving to set the pace, for other banks in the world.
In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs sits down with Fernando Plaza, group chief digital officer at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), to discuss the future of banking, digital trends, AI and how consumers are adapting to all of these changes.
Mr Plaza shares his insights from more than two decades of experience in the digital and payment industry, and is currently leading the digital strategy and execution across ADIB.

Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
How FinTech is evolving in the Middle East
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
Wednesday Aug 14, 2024
In this episode of Business Extra, we explore the rapidly evolving FinTech landscape in the Middle East, where new apps and products are constantly emerging with promises of easier financial transactions and innovative money management solutions.
Among these players, Dubai-based start-up Ziina stands out for its methodical rise over the past few years.
Ziina aims to bring economic freedom and enhanced financial literacy across the Middle East. Recently, the company made headlines by securing a Stored Value Facility licence in the UAE, a significant milestone that promises to propel the start-up even farther.
Ziina's chief executive and co-founder Faisal Toukan joins host Cody Combs to discuss the company’s journey, the significance of its recent achievements, and its plans for the future.

Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
What to expect after the global stock market slump
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
A global market sell-off kicked off the week, marking the biggest sell-off in decades.
Japan’s Nikkei started things off, dropping 12 per cent, which was the index’s worst day since the Black Monday crash of 1987. Following this, the rest of the world followed suit.
The Dow Jones dropped more than 1000 points, causing even the most casual of observers take notice. The world's 500 wealthiest people lost a combined $134 billion.
So, what does this mean for investors and businesses large and small, and for those on the outskirts?
In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs looks at the one of the most turbulent days for the global economy in quite some time with Faisal Hasan, CIO and head of asset management at Al Mal Capital.

Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Paris 2024: How AI is a game changer for the Olympics
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
Wednesday Jul 31, 2024
The Olympics have always been a stage for showcasing human excellence in sports. But this year, technology and artificial intelligence play a pivotal role in enhancing the experience for everyone involved.
By integrating AI into various aspects of the Olympics, the event hopes to become more efficient, engaging, and inclusive.
In this episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs is joined by Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Programmes for Paris 2024 to look at how Intel is introducing groundbreaking AI innovations designed to revolutionise how fans, organisers, athletes and viewers interact with the Games.

Thursday Jul 25, 2024
What did we learn from the global tech outage?
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Thursday Jul 25, 2024
Last week more than 8.5 million computers stopped working. The post-industrial and very much digital world in which we live, much of it anyway, came to a halt as well.
Airlines couldn’t check in travellers. Hospitals had to find new ways to help patients, and restaurants resorted to pen and paper to take reservations.
Cyber security company CrowdStrike inadvertently caused the chaos with a faulty update to its Falcon Sensor software.
That software is supposed to detect cyber attacks, and prevent this sort of cataclysmic problem.
The issue was fixed, mainly within 24 hours, but its residual effects, plus the millions in economic losses, has led many to think about what action is needed to prevent another IT meltdown.
In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs speaks to Igor Bershadsky, an expert in computer networking and cybersecurity, and co-founder of Dubai based Phron AI, to discuss the tech outage that crashed global systems.

Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Co-founder on Palestine Cola's plans to expand and market reaction
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Amid the war in Gaza, some communities, especially Arab ones, have decided to support the Palestinian cause by boycotting certain international brands.
To fill the void, new business endeavours have taken hold, such as local Arab brands.
Palestine Cola was born out of a desire to provide a meaningful alternative to global giants such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Three brothers from Malmo, Sweden, along with Mohamed Kiswani, saw an opportunity to create a brand that resonated with their heritage and supported a greater cause.
Since its launch, Palestine Cola, marked by distinctive symbols of Palestinian culture and identity, has garnered immense support from consumers who are eager to embrace a product that aligns with their values.
In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs is joined by co-founder of Palestine Cola, Mohamed Kiswani, to talk about the inspiration behind the new brand, launching obstacles, market reaction and expansion plans.

Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Front Office Sports founder on the business of sport
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
There is more to sport than wins and losses, the sports business comprises many factors, including the athletes, their training methods, their agents, franchises, media coverage and the team owners as well.
So what’s the future of sports media coverage, the business of athletics, and what does the future hold for the fans for whom sport is so important?
In this episode of Business Extra, host Cody Combs is joined by Adam White, founder and chief executive of Front Office Sports to discuss this evolving landscape of sport, media and business.
In 2021 Front Office Sports was named as one of Fast Company’s most innovative groups. It also earned the title of AdWeek’s Hottest in Sports in 2022 and 2024, among other accolades.
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Thursday Jul 04, 2024
How LinkedIn led growth, engagement and professionalism among social platforms
Thursday Jul 04, 2024
Thursday Jul 04, 2024
Founded in California in 2002, LinkedIn’s growth has been at a methodical pace. Slowly but surely, the CV-based, aspirational job platform gained momentum and now has more than one billion members around the world.
Its journey started from simply a place to look for jobs and post CVs, to become a knowledge bank where people can learn, write articles, take classes and even play games to keep the mind sharp.
In this episode of the social media edition of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs is joined by Najat Abdelhadi, head of communications and growth markets at LinkedIn, and Lynn Chouman, managing editor at LinkedIn News, to look at how the platform went from being a work-based social networking app to one of the major players in social media.

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
All about the UAE-based social media app that promises better monetisation
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
Wednesday Jun 26, 2024
In the rapidly evolving world of social media, many new, innovative platforms are still trying to challenge the dominance of industry giants by promising better experience and – in some cases – better monetisation tools.
In this episode of Business Extra’s series looking at social media platforms, host Cody Combs is joined by Dave Catudal, founder of Lyvely, a UAE-based social media app that aims to revolutionise both user engagement and monetisation.
They discuss the potential for new social media platforms in a market saturated with established players, exploring how Lyvely aims to carve out its niche through prioritising user empowerment over traditional algorithm-driven content curation.
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Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
How did Snapchat win the GCC market?
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024
Wednesday Jun 19, 2024