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H-1B visa fee hike rattles tech and global markets

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By Mohanad Yakout, Senior Markets Analyst, Scope Markets

The sharp rise in the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 has triggered widespread debate across global markets. For decades, the H-1B visa has been a vital lifeline for U.S. companies seeking to attract top international talent and remain competitive. Now, the higher fee raises questions about the country’s ability to attract skilled professionals in a fiercely competitive global landscape.


H-1B visa fee hike challenges U.S. tech companies

Leading U.S. tech firms such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have relied heavily on foreign engineers and developers to fill critical skill gaps. With fees rising to $100,000 per application, hiring costs are set to double. Therefore, companies will likely reassess their strategies, reducing the number of visa applicants or shifting focus to overseas development centers in Asia and Eastern Europe.

These adjustments could slow innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Moreover, delays in launching new products may erode competitiveness and pressure stock prices, adding new volatility to already fragile markets.


Global ripple effects of the H-1B visa fee hike

The decision has also shaken global markets. Shares of major Indian IT firms, which rely on sending thousands of employees to the U.S., plunged following the announcement. As a result, companies in emerging markets now face uncertainty about future contracts and workforce mobility.

In parallel, alternative destinations such as Canada and Europe may attract skilled workers deterred by the high U.S. visa cost. These regions already offer more affordable and flexible immigration systems, giving them a competitive edge in attracting talent and enhancing their innovation capacity.


Long-term risks to U.S. innovation leadership

If sustained, the H-1B visa fee hike could fundamentally reshape the global innovation map. The U.S. has long been viewed as the world’s hub for advanced technology. Yet rising barriers to entry risk driving talent elsewhere. Consequently, countries with more balanced immigration frameworks may benefit from an influx of high-level professionals.

Unless new policies are introduced to ease the burden while protecting national interests, the U.S. risks undermining its own competitive edge. Balancing economic needs with regulatory control will be critical to safeguarding its leadership role in technology.


Investor concerns and market outlook

Investors are closely monitoring the fallout from the policy change. In the short term, higher costs may weigh on corporate earnings for U.S. tech firms while adding pressure on global IT service providers. In the medium term, global markets may realign as companies expand their operations in regions with friendlier immigration policies.

Importantly, innovation does not exist in isolation. The global distribution of talent will determine where breakthroughs occur and which countries dominate the next wave of technological development. The fee hike may accelerate that redistribution.


A defining moment for global talent policy

The U.S. government’s decision signals a turning point in how nations compete for talent. For the UAE and other regions positioning themselves as innovation hubs, the policy presents opportunities to attract highly skilled professionals seeking alternatives.

Ultimately, the H-1B visa fee hike is more than an immigration issue; it is a test of how nations balance openness, competitiveness, and regulation in a world where talent flows drive economic power. The outcome will shape not only company strategies but also the future geography of global innovation.

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NEMETSCHEK GROUP AND INGRAM MICRO PARTNER TO ACCELERATE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REGION

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Three executives stand behind a table holding a signed document folder during a Nemetschek Group and Ingram Micro partnership announcement event, with branded backdrop and floral arrangement in front.

The Nemetschek Group, one of the world’s leading software providers for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AEC/O) industry, announced a strategic partnership with Ingram Micro, a business-to-business (B2B) platform company for the global technology ecosystem, to jointly explore new business opportunities and accelerate digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The strategic partnership brings together Nemetschek’s cutting-edge software portfolio with Ingram Micro’s extensive regional reach, ecosystem enablement capabilities and deep market expertise. As part of the collaboration, both companies will work closely on joint market development initiatives, including coordinated marketing campaigns, industry events and customer engagement activities aimed at increasing awareness and adoption of Nemetschek’s solutions across the region. The collaboration also outlines a strong focus on sales enablement and training, equipping Ingram Micro’s teams with the technical, product and commercial expertise required to effectively promote, demonstrate and support Nemetschek technologies.

In addition, the partnership will support customers throughout their digital transformation journey through pre-sales collaboration, post-sales support and long-term account growth strategies. It is designed as a progressive onboarding framework, with Ingram Micro expected to be gradually onboarded across Nemetschek’s portfolio on a brand-by-brand basis as the partnership evolves.

Yves Padrines, Chief Executive Officer of the Nemetschek Group, noted that partnerships are a cornerstone of Nemetschek’s strategy to scale innovation and drive digital transformation globally. “The Middle East and North Africa region offers immense opportunity, defined by ambitious infrastructure programs and a clear commitment to digitalization. By collaborating with Ingram Micro, we are strengthening our ability to deliver open, connected and future-ready solutions that empower our customers to design, build and operate more efficiently and sustainably.”

Commenting on the partnership, Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia, said: “This collaboration represents a strategic step forward in our mission to enable meaningful digital transformation across the built environment in the Middle East and North Africa. Ingram Micro’s strong regional footprint, ecosystem-driven approach and proven ability to scale technology adoption make them an ideal partner as we continue to empower architects, engineers and construction professionals with innovative, open and interoperable solutions. Together, we are laying the foundation for a more connected, efficient and sustainable future for the industry.”

Shaikh Mohammed Ahmed, Managing Director, Ingram Micro KSA, added: “At Ingram Micro, we see digital transformation as a collaborative journey built on strong partnerships and shared expertise. Our collaboration with Nemetschek reinforces our commitment to enabling our customers and partners with world-class technologies that address the evolving needs of the AEC sector. By combining Nemetschek’s industry-leading solutions with our regional capabilities and enablement services, we aim to unlock new growth opportunities and deliver tangible value across the MENA region.”

Ingram Micro is a leading global technology distributor and services provider, playing a critical role in the IT ecosystem by connecting technology manufacturers with solution providers and end customers. Through its extensive portfolio, digital platforms and value-added services, Ingram Micro enables businesses to scale, innovate and transform in an increasingly digital world.

The partnership underscores both companies’ shared vision of driving innovation, accelerating technology adoption and supporting regional ambitions for smarter infrastructure, sustainable development and digitally enabled economies.

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The First Saudi Conference on Gynecology and Fertility Concludes in Jeddah

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Stage view at the First Saudi Conference on Gynecology and Fertility 2026 showing a large LED screen with the event branding and Dr. Ayman Oraif identified as Conference Chairman, while an attendee in traditional Saudi attire walks across the stage and the audience is seated in front.

Embryology 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence Lead Conference Discussions

The First Saudi Conference on Gynecology and Fertility (GFS) concluded its proceedings in Jeddah under the patronage of His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi Al Saud, Governor of Jeddah. The conference brought together more than 40 experts and speakers from a distinguished group of local and international specialists, marking a new milestone in the transformation of specialized healthcare in the Kingdom. This scientific event gathered leading global medical experts under an academic platform organized by Dr. Ayman Oraif, Consultant and Director of the IVF Center and Reproductive Surgery at King’s College Hospital London – Jeddah.

A Scientific Platform for Women’s Health

Held from January 29 to 31, 2026, the conference reaffirmed the Kingdom’s leading role in keeping pace with the latest global medical advancements and supporting women’s and family health, in alignment with the objectives of the healthcare transformation program and Saudi Vision 2030. The scientific program featured specialized sessions and hands-on workshops addressing the future of fertility treatment, surgical precision, innovation in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, and the evolution of women’s healthcare across different stages of life.

Participants reviewed the latest surgical innovations in gynecologic oncology, endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, and reproductive surgery, within the context of the growing trend toward integrating advanced medical technologies to enhance quality of care and treatment outcomes.

Embryology 4.0… An Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Discussions highlighted the concept of Embryology 4.0, which integrates medical expertise with advanced digital technologies, including the use of artificial intelligence in embryo selection and assessment, in vitro maturation (IVM) techniques, embryonic mosaicism, as well as the development of accreditation standards for fertility laboratories and the enhancement of outcome quality.

Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Building

In turn, Dr. Ayman Oraif, Consultant and Director of the IVF Center and Reproductive Surgery at the hospital, affirmed that the conference delivered highly specialized scientific content reflecting the rapid advancements in infertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies. He noted that the Kingdom has become well positioned to adopt these technologies and innovate new solutions to improve fertility outcomes.

Stem Cells, A New Hope for Fertility

Within the scope of the discussions, Dr. Oraif pointed out that the use of stem cells in the treatment of infertility and premature ovarian insufficiency represents a promising scientific horizon in the field of regenerative medicine. He referred to the study he presented on premature ovarian insufficiency, noting that this condition affects approximately 1% of women before the age of forty and may benefit from treatment using mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow or menstrual blood. Preliminary studies have demonstrated these cells’ potential to improve ovarian function and enhance fertility indicators in patients.

According to the study, clinical trials showed encouraging results, including the resumption of menstruation, improved hormone levels, and increased pregnancy rates, without significant reported complications. The discussions also highlighted complementary protocols, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which has demonstrated improvements in oocyte quality and pregnancy rates reaching approximately 20% in some studies.

A Forward-Looking Vision for Saudi Medicine

As the first conference of its kind to be held in the Kingdom, this event represents a qualitative addition to the path of specialized medical education and the support of research and development programs, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a regional hub for medical innovation. It also reflects the success of King’s College Hospital London – Jeddah in attracting leading global scientists and providing a platform for specialized scientific dialogue in women’s health and fertility research.

The conference is expected to contribute to establishing frameworks for research collaboration between Saudi and international institutions, while exploring the future of regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence in the treatment of gynecologic diseases and infertility. With the emergence of promising results in stem cell research, hopes are rising that the coming decade will deliver practical solutions for a wide range of fertility disorders, supported by institutional backing and a national vision that aims to place the Kingdom at the forefront of the global medical landscape.

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PNY JOINS AI EVERYTHING TO SHOWCASE ITS CUTTING-EDGE AI SOLUTIONS

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Promotional banner for AI Everything Egypt featuring PNY Technologies branding, colorful digital wave visuals, the message “Powering Egypt’s Rise in the Global AI Economy,” a “Get Your Pass” call-to-action, and event details dated February 11–12, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt.

PNY Technologies is pleased to announce its participation in AI Everything Egypt, taking place in Cairo from February 10 to 12, marking a key milestone in the company’s expansion strategy in Egypt.

PNY will be exhibiting in partnership with NtegralOne, Booth H1-A50, where visitors will have the opportunity to discover the latest high-performance AI solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of enterprises, data scientists, and advanced computing professionals.

At the booth, PNY will showcase:

NVIDIA DGX Spark

AI Workstations powered by NVIDIA RTX PRO Blackwell GPUs

These cutting-edge solutions demonstrate how NVIDIA technologies are enabling next-generation artificial intelligence, data science, and advanced computing from enterprise-grade AI platforms to high-performance workstations.

By joining AI Everything, PNY aims to engage with key stakeholders in the region, highlight its innovative AI portfolio, and strengthen its presence in the Egyptian market. Attendees are invited to meet the teams on-site to explore real-world use cases and discuss how PNY’s solutions can help bring AI projects to life.

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