MENA <> India Corridor 
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Zoho launches Abu Dhabi and Dubai data centers
Indian tech firm Zoho Corporation has launched its first data centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in a move to anchor its cloud infrastructure in the MENA region, according to post on X. The facilities, part of an AED 100 mn investment announced in 2023, will host more than 100 cloud applications for Zoho and its IT management arm, ManageEngine.
The in-country data centers enable local data storage, aligning Zoho with the UAE’s data sovereignty rules and National Cybersecurity Agenda. Certified by the Dubai Electronic Security Center, the facilities position Zoho to serve government and regulated enterprises in a long-term commitment to the UAE’s cloud-first digital economy.
Maruti Suzuki to expand manufacturing capacity
India’s top car manufacturer Maruti Suzuki plans to add up to 1 mn units of annual manufacturing capacity with a fresh capex cycle to meet rising domestic and foreign auto demand.
Why this matters: India already serves as Suzuki’s export base for 17 models to 100 markets and is set to become its global EV manufacturing hub. Maruti is a dominant force in the UAE and KSA, leveraging its value-for-money positioning to capture the fleet and entry-level segments. By centralizing EV production in India, Suzuki is preparing to challenge Chinese incumbents like BYD for MENA’s rapidly growing mass-market EV sector.
India’s retail inflation at 1.3%
India’s retail inflation likely rose to 1.3% in December from 0.71% in November, staying below the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) 2-6% target band for the fourth straight month, according to data from the National Statistics Office. Food prices continued to fall in December, easing 2.71% y-o-y after a 3.91% decline in November — a key indicator for Gulf nations importing food products from India. Core inflation was estimated in the 4.6% range.
Why it matters: Declining food prices in India are likely to bolster cheaper food exports to the MENA region as the government is expected to relax export curbs like the Minimum Export Prices as domestic supply surges.
Medical apparel brand Knya marks UAE entry
India-based medical lifestyle brand Knya has entered the UAE, marking its first expansion beyond India as it eyes international growth, India Retailing reports. The UAE launch includes the sale of scrubs, lab coats, jackets, aprons, and medical hijabs via distribution partners and direct-to-consumer channels. After opening 15+ stores in India last year, the company will evaluate physical retail in the UAE based on market response.
