FINANCIAL-SECTOR
18.3.2023 10:24:25 CET | Business Wire | Press release
The second edition of the Financial Sector Conference (FSC 2023) has concluded in Riyadh, with a mood of optimism and energy to overcome market challenges to build a stronger, technology driven and sustainable economy of the future.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230317005086/en/
Courtney Powell, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner, 500 Global (Photo: AETOSWire)
Over 3200 participants from 82 countries, and 180 media, assembled in the Saudi capital to discuss the way ahead for the global financial community under the conference theme of “Promising Financial Prospects.”
Representatives from some of the biggest global financial institutions joined Government Finance Ministers met to identify the most effective road map for future growth and prosperity for the sector – enabling greater use of technology, diversification, cross border cooperation and embracing the green economy.
The conference also saw multiple MOUs and agreements signed to support real estate development; FinTech development and digital financing solutions worth billions of dollars and the National Bank of Iraq announced the start of operations in Saudi Arabia.
Concluding the conference, Saudi Central Bank Governor HE Ayman Mohammed Alsayari highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to provide an attractive environment for FinTech companies in line with the goals of Vision 2030 goals, and the vital role they play to support the growth of the private sector, to diversify the economy, and to stimulate saving, financing and investment.
Debating the important role of Venture Capital, Courtney Powell, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Partner, 500 Global, said: “Since we made our first investment in the Middle East in 2012, we have seen incredible growth and we have 14 companies today valued at over $100 million. The willingness of the government to support entrepreneurs combined with the opening up of the Kingdom shows it has the potential of becoming a leading global hub for entrepreneurship.”
In discussion about the future of global money flows, HE Giancarlo Giorgetti, Italian Minister of Economy and Finance stated: “In the financial sector, fragmentation induced by geopolitical tension will have strong implications by affecting global and financial stability, the cross-border allocation of capital, international payment systems, and asset prices.”
Financing for the SME sector was a key debating point on the final day of the conference with the enormous growth of the sector both in the Middle East and internationally. Tala Al Jabri, Board Member, Middle East VC Association (MEVCA) identified a major financing gap for the sector. He said: “95% of enterprises in the region are SMEs and the loan profile that goes to them is only 7% – which is the lowest in the world, indicating a massive gap.”
The FinTech sector in Saudi Arabia meanwhile is flourishing as Ziad Alyousef, Deputy Governor for Development and Technology, Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) explained: “In 2018, there were less than 10 companies operating in the FinTech community. Now, there are over 155 companies operating in the space in Saudi Arabia and this has led to increased investments and job creation."
*Source: AETOSWire
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230317005086/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
i2c Named Finalist for Best Security or Anti-Fraud Development at Card & Payments Awards Middle East 202612.2.2026 15:00:00 CET | Press release
i2c’s AI-driven Fraud Risk Management solution recognized for delivering impactful results for Middle East clients i2c Inc., a global financial technology innovator, has been named a finalist in the Best Security or Anti-Fraud Development category at The Card & Payments Awards Middle East 2026. The region’s premier awards program recognizes organizations that deliver practical, high-impact innovations to strengthen payment security and protect customers in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital payments markets. i2c was recognized for its AI-driven Fraud Risk Management solution, embedded directly within its unified banking and payments platform and operating in real time at the point of transaction authorization—an increasingly critical capability as digital payments scale across Middle East markets. By evaluating risk at the moment a payment is initiated, rather than after funds are approved, the solution enables earlier detection of fraudulent activity while preserving approval
SLB Awarded Multiple Offshore Drilling Contracts by Mubadala Energy for Tangkulo Deepwater Development in Indonesia12.2.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Contracts support offshore gas development with first gas targeted before end of 2028 Global energy technology company SLB (NYSE: SLB) has been awarded multiple offshore drilling services contracts by Mubadala Energy, the Abu Dhabi headquartered international energy company, for the Tangkulo natural gas deepwater development and associated exploration and appraisal drilling activities in the Andaman Sea, offshore Indonesia. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260212809124/en/ The project will leverage SLB’s offshore and deepwater technologies, including real-time downhole monitoring, to reduce operational risk, improve well placement and strengthen project economics. Under the awards, SLB will work with Mubadala Energy to deliver integrated drilling and well services across the full well life cycle. The scope includes directional drilling, drilling fluids, cementing, wireline, slickline, coiled tubing, well testin
Align Partners Issues Formal Shareholder Proposals to Dentium12.2.2026 13:43:00 CET | Press release
Align Partners Capital Management Inc. (“Align Partners”), a shareholder of Dentium Co., Ltd. (“Dentium” or the “Company”), has submitted formal shareholder proposals for inclusion in the agenda of Dentium’s upcoming 26th Annual General Meeting (“AGM”), urging the Company to strengthen governance practices and improve capital allocation discipline. Align Partners noted that, given shareholder proposals will be presented at this year’s AGM, Dentium should follow the Korea Exchange (KRX) Corporate Governance Key Indicators by publishing the AGM convocation notice at least four weeks prior to the meeting date and adopting an electronic voting system to enhance shareholder participation. Dentium is widely recognized as a global leader in the dental implant industry, supported by superior technology and more than 23 years of long-term clinical data. Despite this strong positioning, Align Partners believes the Company continues to trade at a meaningful discount. As of February 11, 2026, Dent
Align Partners Issues Public Shareholder Letter and Submits Formal Shareholder Proposals to SoluM12.2.2026 13:42:00 CET | Press release
Align Partners Capital Management Inc. (“Align Partners”), a shareholder of SoluM Co., Ltd. (“SoluM” or the “Company”), has submitted formal shareholder proposals for inclusion in the agenda of SoluM’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) and issued its first public shareholder letter to the Company’s Board of Directors. Align Partners requested that SoluM’s Board and management provide a public written response to the shareholder letter by the AGM convocation notice deadline ahead of the March 2026 meeting. The campaign reflects Align Partners’ view that meaningful governance reforms and strategic focus are urgently needed to unlock shareholder value. SoluM operates a high-growth Electronic Shelf Label (“ESL”) business with strong global positioning and attractive long-term market potential. Despite this, the Company’s share price has remained near historical lows since its listing. As of February 11, 2026, SoluM trades at a last-twelve-month EV/EBIT multiple of 28.9x, representing a s
GigaDevice Extends European Reach with SEMITRON Partnership for DACH region12.2.2026 10:52:00 CET | Press release
GigaDevice, a leading semiconductor company specializing in Flash memory, 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUs), sensors, and analog products, has entered into a distribution agreement with SEMITRON, a leading electronic component distributor that specializes with a focus on the DACH region. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260203746978/en/ Under the terms of the deal, SEMITRON is set to supply both GigaDevice's leading Flash, MCU, power and sensor lines in conjunction with field application engineering support to customers in the industrial, automotive and communication technology sectors. In particular, SEMITRON offers professional test house services, technical know-how and local on-the-ground expertise and support. The partnership further extends GigaDevice's reach into this major European market, with on the ground support in Germany, Austria, Switzerland. Jürgen Rohland, Managing Director of SEMITRON W. Röck Gmb
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom