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
Inspirit Capital to Acquire Kaplan Languages Group20.4.2026 17:15:00 CEST | Press release
Inspirit Capital, a specialist investor in corporate carve-outs, is pleased to announce its plans to acquire KLG Kaplan Languages Group (“KLG”), a leading global language education platform, from Kaplan. All conditions for the sale have been met, and completion is due to take place on 1 May. KLG comprises Kaplan International Languages, Alpadia Language Schools, Azurlingua, and ESL Education. Since 2006, KLG has provided high-quality language education, supporting students in achieving their language goals through academic excellence, cultural immersion, and life-changing experiences. Inspirit Capital will support KLG in delivering on its ambitious growth plans, whilst continuing its fundamental mission to transform lives through language education. This next phase of ownership will also see the development of a refreshed standalone brand identity for KLG, with further announcements to follow on this in due course. Paul Youens, Investment Director, Inspirit Capital: “KLG has built a st
Cleaner by Design: SaniSure Introduces PETG PharmaTainer™ Ultra-Clean Bottles & Carboys20.4.2026 16:00:00 CEST | Press release
Industry’s most widely adopted PETG material meets industry-leading cleanliness, compliance, and RNase/DNase-free validation—now available across the full bioprocessing workflow. SaniSure® today announced the launch of PETG PharmaTainer™, a new line of bioprocessing bottles and carboys combining widely accepted, medical-grade Eastman Eastar® PETG 6763 resin (DMF#9987) with SaniSure’s proprietary process and advanced automation. This launch expands SaniSure’s established PharmaTainer® platform—extending its proven cleanliness, robustness, and performance attributes to include industry-standard PETG alongside its existing PET and PC offerings. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260420641769/en/ PETG PharmaTainer™ bottles and carboys—RNase/DNase-free, ultra-clean, ready-to-use containers for bioprocessing applications. Available in volumes from 10 mL stability vials to 10 L carboys — in sterile (gamma-irradiated) an
Leaders of Dubai-Based Unicorns Hail City as Global Innovation Hub Shaping Future Technology and Driving the Digital Economy20.4.2026 15:08:00 CEST | Press release
Leaders of Dubai-based unicorn companies have reaffirmed the emirate’s status as a global hub for digital innovation and technology-led growth. The senior executives highlighted Dubai’s forward-looking regulatory environment, advanced infrastructure, and ability to attract international talent as key factors strengthening its appeal for high-growth digital businesses. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260420503062/en/ Leaders of Dubai-based unicorns hail city as global innovation hub shaping future technology and driving the digital economy (Photo: AETOSWire) They noted that Dubai has evolved into a strategic launchpad for ambitious companies, offering an agile business environment that supports innovation and enables expansion into regional and international markets. The business leaders also praised the strong alignment between the public and private sectors within Dubai’s digital ecosystem, supported by Dubai
Capcom’s All-New IP PRAGMATA Surpasses One Million Units Sold in Two Days!20.4.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
– Highly innovative and original gameplay earns strong reception from players around the globe – Capcom Co., Ltd. (TOKYO:9697) today announced that worldwide sales of PRAGMATA, the company’s all-new IP released on April 17, 2026*, have surpassed one million units. PRAGMATA is a science-fiction action-adventure game that depicts the journey of Hugh Williams and Diana, an android girl, in a near-future lunar world. A completely new IP, PRAGMATA was developed primarily by a team of younger Capcom developers, who created an innovative gameplay experience by fusing action gameplay with puzzle elements set within a distinctive world ruled over by artificial intelligence. In the absence of an established fan base or preexisting brand recognition, Capcom implemented a range of marketing initiatives—beginning with the early release of a playable demo—to communicate the unique features of the game to a wider audience. In addition, in line with the company’s multi-platform strategy, Capcom broade
Following Oral Presentation of Phase I Data at AACR 2026, Debiopharm Announces FDA Fast Track Designation for Lunresertib in Combination With Zedoresertib for Genomic-Defined Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer20.4.2026 14:30:00 CEST | Press release
Debiopharm (www.debiopharm.com), a privately-owned, Swiss-based biopharmaceutical company aiming to establish tomorrow’s standard of care to cure cancer and infectious diseases, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to the combination of its PKMYT1 inhibitor, lunresertib (Debio2513), and its WEE1 inhibitor, zedoresertib (Debio 0123). The designation is for the treatment of adult patients with CCNE1 amplified, or a deleterious mutation in either FBXW7 or PPP2R1A, platinum-resistant/refractory ovarian cancer. The FDA’s Fast Track program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of new drugs intended to treat serious conditions and fill an unmet medical need. Programs granted Fast Track designation benefit from more frequent communication with the FDA and, if relevant criteria are met, may be eligible for Priority Review and Accelerated Approval of a New Drug Application (NDA). Momentum Following AACR O
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