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
Convatec Survey Challenges Assumptions About Leakage in Ostomy Care6.10.2026 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
New global findings highlight the role of peristomal skin health in improving outcomes and confidence for people living with an ostomy Convatec, a leading medical products and technologies company focused on solutions for the management of chronic conditions, today released Rethinking leakage in ostomy care, new international research highlighting a significant gap in how peristomal skin health is understood and managed in ostomy care. The findings indicate that skin health plays a critical role in preventing leakage, and supporting confidence in daily life, yet remains widely under-recognised in routine care. For many people, leakage is not only a clinical or product issue; it can shape whether they feel able to travel, exercise, socialise or take part fully in everyday life. More than half of respondents said they avoid such activities due to worry about their ostomy. The results of the survey, which included more than 1,800 people living with an ostomy and over 400 healthcare profes
Oulu2026 Boosts Tourism as Björk, Art and Technology Lead the European Capital of Culture Year’s Finale6.10.2026 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
The Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture programme has attracted visitors to northern Finland and contributed to strong tourism growth. According to Visit Oulu statistics, Oulu recorded nearly 475,000 registered overnight stays between January and August 2026, an increase of 12 per cent year on year. International overnight stays rose by 21 per cent to more than 96,600, while domestic overnight stays increased by 9 per cent. The trend continued in August, when international overnight stays grew by almost 29 per cent year on year. Hundreds of events combining art, technology, science, music, theatre and sport continue throughout the final months of 2026. “The programme’s diversity is clearest in the final months. There is something for culture enthusiasts and families alike, with experiences that cannot be found anywhere else. If ever there was a time to visit Oulu, it is now,” says Samu Forsblom, Programme Director of Oulu2026. A major highlight is the Lumo Art & Tech Festival, taking
Ant International and HSBC Expand Real-Time Treasury Management Services to the Middle East6.10.2026 08:30:00 CEST | Press release
Collaboration extends Ant International’s use of tokenised deposits in UAE, supporting faster treasury transactions Ant International today announced an expanded collaboration with HSBC to enhance real-time treasury management services in the Middle East. By leveraging HSBC’s global Tokenised Deposit Service (TDS), Ant International aims to improve the efficiency of its treasury operations across the region. As part of the collaboration, Ant International has successfully completed pilot transactions across two payment corridors connecting the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong: Intra-UAE dirham transfers: Real-time, dirham-denominated tokenised deposit transactions within the UAE. Cross-border US dollar payments initiated from the UAE: US dollar-denominated tokenised deposit transfers between the UAE and international markets, including Hong Kong and Singapore. These transactions were initiated via WhaleRTP – Ant International’s proprietary, blockchain-based real-time treasury managem
RoslinCT Awarded £7.25 million Scottish Enterprise R&D Grant to Advance Digital Cell Therapy Manufacturing6.10.2026 08:00:00 CEST | Press release
RoslinCT, a leading global cell therapy Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), today announced it has been awarded a Research & Development grant from Scottish Enterprise to accelerate the digital transformation of its manufacturing operations in Scotland. The funding, supported by a Scottish Enterprise R&D grant of up to £7.25 million, forms part of RoslinCT's ambitious digital expansion plan, a multi-year initiative designed to enhance the company's integrated digital and AI capabilities and further strengthen Scotland's position as a global hub for advanced cell and gene therapy manufacturing. The programme will enable the development of a digitally integrated manufacturing environment, improving operational efficiency, data connectivity and manufacturing excellence across RoslinCT's operations. By creating a more connected and data-driven manufacturing environment, RoslinCT will be better positioned to support clients throughout the product lifecycle, helping b
30 Years of Restylane®: Reshaping the Aesthetics Field Through Science-Led, Patient-Centric Innovation6.10.2026 07:00:00 CEST | Press release
Galderma celebrates the 30th anniversary of Restylane, its pioneering range of hyaluronic acid (HA) injectables that established the category as the first to market1 With three decades of innovation across technology, packaging, and treatment areas, Restylane continues to meet growing aesthetic needs, including emerging areas such as medication-driven weight loss, skin quality and menopause1-11 This year’s milestones include the approvals of Restylane Shaype™ in the European Union (EU) for enhancement of the chin region, the new state-of-the-art Restylane syringe in the EU, United States (U.S.), and Canada, and Restylane Volyme™* in the U.S. for temple hollowing, with a dual-layer patent-pending technique leveraging both needle and cannula12-18 With more than 80 clinical trials, 180 publications, around 407,000 patients evaluated for safety, and 77 million treatments administered worldwide, Restylane remains a pioneer in science-backed aesthetic innovation and continues to shape the fu
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