logo
Kalaam Telecom signs strategic deal with Mida Solutions and FVC

Kalaam Telecom signs strategic deal with Mida Solutions and FVC

Zawya29-04-2025

Kalaam Telecom, a leading regional digital solutions provider, Mida Solutions, a NUSO company, and First Video Communications (FVC), have signed a strategic agreement aimed at delivering a seamless one-stop-shop experience for businesses operating in the Middle East region.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the provision of 'cutting-edge contact centre as-a-service (CCaaS)' and 'unified communications as-a-service (UCaaS)', 'compliance call recording', and 'advanced analytics' regulations in the region.
Under this agreement, Mida Solutions' products will be distributed by FVC across the region via Kalaam Telecom, who will be an exclusive managed service provider (MSP) offering Mida applications as SaaS coupled with end-to-end managed services, hosted locally in Kalaam Private Cloud in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, thus ensuring data sovereignty and regulatory requirements around VOIP and data residency regulations in the respective region.
This partnership enables organisations to leverage SaaS contact centre and call recording services with local language support, turn-key solutions and on-the-ground service availability throughout the MEA region via Kalaam Telecom operations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
By hosting these solutions in Kalaam Telecom data centres in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, Kalaam Telecom will meet the stringent data residency requirements of organisations, including compliance with SAMA regulations, GDPR, MIFID II, PCI, HIPAA and other International privacy and financial regulations.
The local hosting capability is a crucial asset for companies operating in the Saudi Arabian market.
Mida Solutions' products are Microsoft Teams-certified and compatible with Zoom, catering to organisations with hybrid communication environments, integrating seamlessly with both traditional PBX systems and modern cloud platforms like Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Marco Cortese, country manager at Mida Solutions, said, 'This tri-party agreement signifies the evolution of our partnership with FVC. Our aim is to provide tangible solutions for companies in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia transitioning to advanced communication systems.
'With Kalaam Telecom on board, we can now offer a comprehensive one-stop shop solution with local hosting in both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, setting a new standard for compliance and service quality.'
Expressing his thoughts on the collaboration, Kalaam Telecom group chief executive Veer Passi said, 'We are thrilled to be part of this strategic collaboration with Mida Solutions and FVC, offering local hosting solutions in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
'This partnership underscores our commitment to providing innovative solutions customised and tailored for the needs of enterprises while ensuring data sovereignty for organisations across the MEA region.'
This partnership between Kalaam, Mida Solutions, and FVC sets a new benchmark in the provision of cutting-edge communication solutions in the MEA region, empowering organisations with the tools to thrive in today's dynamic business landscape.
Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Arabia announces new credit card rules
Saudi Arabia announces new credit card rules

Arabian Business

timea day ago

  • Arabian Business

Saudi Arabia announces new credit card rules

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has announced updated credit card rules. The updated regulations will be for credit card issuance and operation, targeting cost reduction for customers whilst increasing disclosure and transparency levels, and will take effect within 30 to 90 days. Under the updated framework, credit card issuers must notify customers of fee changes via SMS, with customers permitted to terminate their agreements within 14 days of receiving such notices. E-wallet top-ups via credit cards will no longer incur charges. Saudi Central Bank announces new credit card rules to lower customer fees The regulations establish new fee structures for cash withdrawals. For amounts below SR2,500, fees are capped at 3 per cent of the transaction value. For withdrawals of SAR2,500 or more, fees are limited to a maximum of SAR75. This represents a change from previous rules where cash withdrawals carried fees of SAR75 for transactions up to SAR5,000 and 3 per cent of the transaction amount for sums over SAR5,000, with a maximum fee of SAR300. International purchases will carry a 2 per cent fee of the transaction value under the new system. Customers may now deposit amounts above their credit limit and withdraw them without charges. SAMA worked with global payment companies to assess and reduce transaction costs, forming part of its mission to enhance Saudi Arabia's digital payment ecosystem and provide payment options for customers and visitors. The transparency measures require issuers to notify customers immediately of financial transactions and send account statements via SMS. Issuers must provide tools enabling customers to estimate rewards and international charges before purchases. Regarding repayment terms, customers may pay their full outstanding balance without late fees, with a mandatory grace period of at least 25 days guaranteed. The regulations unify disclosure templates for all fees, charges, and benefits within credit card agreements, promoting clarity for consumers. Additional charges under the new system include SAR25 for invalid transaction disputes and account statement requests.

Saudi Bank Unveils New Credit‑Card Rules to Drive Transparency
Saudi Bank Unveils New Credit‑Card Rules to Drive Transparency

Arabian Post

timea day ago

  • Arabian Post

Saudi Bank Unveils New Credit‑Card Rules to Drive Transparency

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The Saudi Central Bank has introduced sweeping reforms in the rules governing credit-card issuance and operation, aiming to reduce consumer costs, bolster transparency and align with global standards. The changes include mandatory fee notifications, reduced cash withdrawal charges, capped international transaction fees and improved disclosures. SAMA will implement these updates within 30 to 90 days. Key changes include a requirement for issuers to send SMS alerts before any fee or term modification, allowing cardholders a 14-day window to cancel agreements without penalty under the updated terms. E-wallet top-ups using credit cards will now incur no charges, a move intended to incentivise digital payments. ADVERTISEMENT Cash withdrawals of SR2,500 or less will carry a maximum fee of 3% of the transaction value; those of SR2,500 or more are capped at SR75. Previously, cash advance fees applied sharply until SR5,000 with a flat SR75, and beyond that 3%, up to SR300—making the new cap notably more favourable for larger withdrawals. International purchases will now attract a clear 2% fee of the transaction amount. A notable enhancement allows customers to deposit amounts beyond their credit limit and withdraw them at any point without additional charges, enhancing flexibility and consumer agency. Account statements must now be issued via SMS at least 25 days before payment, detailing balances, due dates and fees. Immediate notifications must follow any credit-card transaction, including details such as merchant, amount and remaining limit. Issuers are also required to provide pre‑transaction tools for estimating international charges and reward benefits. Repayment provisions maintain consumer safeguards: a 25-day minimum grace period is mandated before term costs apply. The rules prohibit levying additional fees for full balance payments and outlining clear terms for minimum payments and their implications. These reforms are underpinned by standardised disclosure templates for fees and benefits, inclusive of promotional terms—a step towards consistency across the market. Issuers must emphasise APR, term costs and expiration timelines for rewards or promotions, with SMS reminders 14 days in advance. SAMA's emphasis on mandatory due diligence and creditworthiness checks prior to card issuance is reinforced under the new framework. Criteria now include explicit customer consent via authenticated channels, formal credit record assessments and eligibility conditions aligned with industry best practices. Procedures for supplementary cards, default reporting and dispute resolution have also been clarified. For example, the minimum repayment remains 5% of the due balance, and any default procedures must include consumer advisory services before legal or collection measures begin. SMS has been designated the primary channel for disclosures, with issuers obliged to inform customers of account activity, fee changes and promotional developments. Financial institutions must adhere to SAMA‑specified notification templates to promote uniformity and clarity. According to a senior official within SAMA, the goal is to 'establish minimum requirements to promote disclosure, transparency and fair practices, as well as to limit credit risk.' Industry reaction has been generally positive. Analysts from regional banks suggest the rules will 'enhance consumer protection while supporting digital payment growth.' Critics, however, note potential implementation challenges—particularly in updating existing systems to align with stricter notification and compliance requirements. The timing reflects SAMA's broader strategy to modernise the financial sector and accelerate digital payments as part of Saudi Vision 2030. A 2020 directive mandated real‑time notifications for debit card and e-wallet transactions, laying foundational infrastructure for today's enhanced SMS regime. Collaboration with global payment networks—such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express—has helped shape caps on international and cash advance fees. Banks and fintech firms are now preparing compliance roadmaps. One major lender has initiated system-wide updates to include the new SMS templates, fee calculators and balance‑flexibility features. Industry trade bodies are urging transparency in implementation timelines to ensure consumers are well informed ahead of the rollout. As SAMA positions Saudi Arabia's credit‑card framework at par with international best practice, key areas to monitor include transparency in third‑party charges, enforcement mechanisms for non-compliant issuers, and feedback from consumer‑protection advocates.

Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya
Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya

TECHx

time2 days ago

  • TECHx

Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya

Home » Africa » Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya Women Choice, an international organization promoting sustainable initiatives for women, hosted a high-impact forum in Kenya. The event was titled Driving Growth for Women-Led SMEs in Kenya . It aimed to promote inclusive economic transformation through the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The forum was held under the theme Scaling Women-Led SMEs: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategic Growth . Organizers reported that it brought together 45 changemakers, including women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ecosystem enablers. Participants gathered to discuss issues affecting the growth of women-led enterprises. They highlighted barriers such as limited access to finance, regulatory challenges, and the need for alternative funding models. Currently, only 7% of women-owned MSMEs in Kenya have formal access to financing. The event explored microfinance, grants, and other options as possible solutions. Nezha Aloui, CEO of Women Choice, reaffirmed the organization's mission to accelerate the success of women founders through strategic partnerships. She stated, 'This forum is not a destination, it's a blueprint for unlocking greatness.' Aloui emphasized that women-led SMEs are essential to Kenya's prosperity. She added that the forum marked the start of a long-term, action-driven agenda. Throughout the panel discussions, speakers called for intentional inclusion in policy, mentorship, and procurement opportunities. They also stressed the importance of digital innovation and strong community networks. Susan Situma from Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund advised entrepreneurs to seek value-aligned funding. She encouraged them to research their sectors, join relevant networks, and structure their businesses for growth. Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza One, noted the importance of local insight and global relevance. She urged women to focus on solving real problems and building trust with customers. Martine Billmann of Genetec highlighted cybersecurity as vital to sustainable business growth. She advised the use of secure platforms, zero-trust strategies, and adherence to global standards like GDPR. Carolyne Tanui, from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, stressed the need for consistency and legal compliance. She explained that data protection is crucial for building trust and credibility, even for small businesses. Mareva Koulamallah, CEO of Marevak Consulting, concluded that empowering women in entrepreneurship strengthens both the economy and the community. 'The math is simple, the impact is exponential,' she said. The forum revealed the urgent need for collaboration to support women-led businesses in Kenya. Organizers reported that the discussions marked a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and sustainable SME ecosystem.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store