The 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance (STF) Summit that took place in Riyadh on November 6-7, 2024, brought together the Kingdom’s brightest minds and industry leaders in trade finance, treasury, and economic growth for two days of insightful discussions, networking, and collaboration. With a diverse lineup of speakers, delegates, and exhibitors, the summit addressed pressing issues in trade finance, technology adoption, and the evolving financial ecosystem.

Participants from the public sector, banks and financial institutions as well as finance leaders from the private sector applauded the summit emphasising the need for capacity building and knowledge sharing to address challenges in the global trade ecosystem and capitalize on growth opportunities in the region.

Industry leaders lauded the 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance (STF) Summit for its impactful agenda, high-caliber attendees, and exceptional organization. Ahmad Alalawi, Head of GTRF Origination and Advisory, Saudi Awwal Bank expressed his appreciation on the agenda, “Every year we see different and different delegates within this event. It is really prestigious…. connecting us with our clients and to see what exactly is happening in the market.”

Praising the 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance (STF) Summit for its exceptional standards and consistent value to the industry Syed Hassan Javed, Group Head of Global Transaction Banking Sales, Gulf International Bank said, “The 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance (STF) Summit has proved to be extremely beneficial for us time and again. I think the quality of the event, the overall customization, the preparations were spot on. I think it’s probably the best whatever we see, you know as far as the other events are concerned.”

Finance Heads of companies attending were also impressed and satisfied with the outcomes from The 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance (STF) Summit. Atef Fouad Ibrahim, CFO, Watania Steel observes, “I used to attend the past 6 or 7 years and every year just being with the trends in the market. It’s always well-organized and adds value for us as CFOs in Riyadh and finance teams in general.”

Homam Bin Abdulaziz Hashem, Chief Executive Officer at SMEs Loan Guarantee Program Kafalah concurred, “As a program that has empowered SMEs for over 18 years, Kafalah values events like this that foster collaboration, share knowledge, and inspire growth. I would rate the summit a 9 out of 10 for its excellence and look forward to its future editions becoming even more impactful with stronger collaborations with government entities like Ex-Im Bank.”

Majed Abugu’aed, Head of Trade Finance, Alinma Bank agreed, “A lot of connections has been made in regard to multiple projects within the bank. Not just limited to trade products but also involving cash management, account opening and other potential clients. The quality has been great and we are looking forward to more.”

That’s not all! The event concluded with the prestigious STF Awards that recognized and highlighted the achievements of CFOs and banks from across the Kingdom who contributed towards the growth of the financial landscape in the region. BSF, Saudi Awwal Bank, Alinma Bank, GIB, BinDawood Holdings, Rawabi Holdings and many more emerged as winners and walked away with the coveted award.

Sidh NC, Director of QnA International, the organizer of the summit, summed up the outcomes, “The 12th Annual Saudi Trade Finance Summit has been a phenomenal success, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss transformative ideas and foster collaboration in trade finance and beyond. The enthusiasm and insights shared by participants, the attendance of C-level executives some speaking and in panel discussions reinforce our commitment to making the summit a leading platform for driving impactful conversations and partnerships in the region. We look forward to an even more dynamic event next year, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s growth aspirations.”

For more information about the event or to explore partnership opportunities for the 2025 edition, visit Saudi Trade Finance Summit’s website.

تستعد المملكة العربية السعودية لاستضافة كأس العالم لكرة القدم لعام 2034، بعد إعلان الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم (فيفا) رسميًا فوزها بحق تنظيم هذا الحدث العالمي الكبير، وتُعد هذه الخطوة إنجازًا تاريخيًا للمملكة، حيث تُنظم لأول مرة في تاريخها الرياضي أحد أبرز الأحداث الكروية على مستوى العالم.

ويعكس هذا الاختيار المكانة المرموقة التي أصبحت المملكة تتمتع بها على الساحة الرياضية الدولية خلال السنوات الأخيرة، حيث جاء القرار بعد أن أصبحت السعودية المرشح الوحيد لاستضافة البطولة، مما يعزز مكانتها كمركز رياضي عالمي رائد.

رؤية 2030

يأتي هذا الإنجاز الرياضي ضمن من الجهود الحثيثة التي تبذلها المملكة في إطار رؤية 2030، التي تهدف إلى تعزيز الحضور العالمي للمملكة وتنويع اقتصادها من خلال تطوير قطاعات الرياضة، والسياحة، والترفيه، وقد شهدت المملكة في الأعوام الأخيرة تطورًا ملحوظًا في استضافة الفعاليات الرياضية الكبرى، مثل سباقات الفورمولا 1، ونزالات الملاكمة العالمية، وبطولات كرة القدم التي شارك فيها نخبة من أبرز نجوم الرياضة العالميين.

نمو رياضي

حقق القطاع الرياضي السعودي نموًا كبيرًا في السنوات الأخيرة، حيث ارتفعت مساهمته في الناتج المحلي الإجمالي من 2.4 مليار ريال إلى 6.5 مليار ريال بين عامي 2020 و2021، بمعدل نمو بلغ 170%. كما شهدت أندية الدوري السعودي قفزة استثمارية ملحوظة، إذ أصبح دوري روشن السعودي ثالث أكثر الدوريات العالمية ربحًا من حيث إيرادات الرعاية، مع زيادة كبيرة في الانتشار الإعلامي، حيث ارتفع عدد الدول التي تبث مبارياته من 10 دول في 2015 إلى أكثر من 130 دولة في 2023.

فرصة عالمية

في هذا السياق، صرّح عبدالرحمن عنايت، الشريك المؤسس لـــ W7Worldwide للاستشارات الاستراتيجية والإعلامية: “استضافة كأس العالم 2034 FIFA تمثل إنجازًا تاريخيًا للمملكة العربية السعودية، حيث تعكس بوضوح المكانة المتنامية للمملكة على الساحة العالمية، كما تؤكد التزام المملكة بتعزيز التعاون الدولي من خلال الرياضة، وستكون هذه البطولة فرصة لإبراز ثقافتنا الغنية، وتقديم مثال حي عن حسن ضيافتنا، فضلًا عن تسليط الضوء على بنيتنا التحتية المتطورة التي تواكب أحدث المعايير العالمية”.

استثمارات ضخمة

من المتوقع أن تشمل استعدادات بطولة كأس العالم 2034 استثمارات ضخمة في تطوير البنية التحتية الرياضية، بما في ذلك إنشاء ملاعب حديثة وفقًا لأعلى المعايير العالمية، وتعزيز شبكات النقل والسياحة لاستقبال ملايين الزوار من جميع أنحاء العالم، وفي هذا السياق، أعلنت المملكة عن خطط لبناء 15 ملعبًا متطورًا في خمس مدن رئيسية هي: الرياض، وجدة، والخبر، وأبها، ونيوم، منها 11 ملعبًا جديدًا بالكامل، ومن المقرر أن تستضيف مدينة نيوم مراسم قرعة البطولة.

تطوير المواهب

كما تسعى المملكة إلى تعزيز الاستثمار في الأكاديميات الرياضية عبر جذب أندية عالمية لافتتاح فروع لها داخل المملكة، مع تمكين الأندية المحلية لتحسين كفاءة الأكاديميات الحالية، وذلك بهدف تطوير المواهب الرياضية السعودية ورفع مستوى التنافسية العالمية.

وتؤكد استضافة المملكة لكأس العالم 2034 دورها المتزايد في الرياضة الدولية، مما يرسخ مكانتها كلاعب رئيسي على الساحة العالمية، ويعكس طموحها الكبير لتحقيق أهداف رؤية 2030، وتنويع مواردها الاقتصادية، وتحقيق التنمية المستدامة.

The innovation story continues with the launch of Samsung Wallet, as Samsung Mobile takes a significant step forward in enhancing digital payment solutions in Saudi Arabia. In a recent interview, Sami Khairalla, Country Sr. Director at Samsung Electronics Saudi Arabia, shared insights into how this new service revolutionizes the way consumers manage their payments and essential cards.
Khairalla highlighted the alignment of Samsung Wallet with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative, showcasing Samsung’s commitment to providing secure, user-friendly digital experiences tailored to the evolving needs of Galaxy users. The wallet incorporates multi-layered security strategies, including fingerprint authentication and integration with Samsung KNOX, ensuring robust protection against emerging digital threats.
Samsung Wallet allows users to manage payment cards and store boarding passes, offering a convenient all-in-one solution. Looking ahead, Khairalla expressed excitement about plans to expand its capabilities with support for online payments and wearable integrations. As Samsung adapts to the unique needs of the Saudi market, the introduction of Samsung Wallet represents a major advancement in delivering comprehensive digital financial solutions that enhance user satisfaction and convenience in everyday transactions.
Q1: How does the launch of Samsung Wallet align with your Department’s vision for the future of digital solutions in Saudi Arabia, and what makes this moment significant for you?
The launch of Samsung Wallet is a pivotal step in our vision to innovate and simplify digital solutions for consumers in Saudi Arabia. It represents our commitment to providing secure and user-friendly payment options while supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiative to enhance digital transformation. From the moment we started building the plans with our HQ to actually resolving all local challenges to launch the service,
Beside the above, what I truly treasure is the collaboration and new partnerships we have formed with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and our partnering banks. Together, we have been able to provide an exceptional service across the market. It has been a true honor to witness everyone working tirelessly to meet the expectations of Saudi consumers, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together with our partners
Q2: What comprehensive security and privacy strategies has Samsung implemented to build consumer trust in Samsung Wallet, especially in the context of emerging digital threats?
We prioritize security by implementing multiple layers, including fingerprint authentication, card tokenization, and integration with Samsung KNOX. Our commitment to user privacy ensures that personal data is safeguarded, which is crucial in light of evolving digital threats.
Q3: What services are currently available through Samsung Wallet, and what additional services can users expect in the future?
A3: Currently, Samsung Wallet provides a variety of services designed to streamline users’ experiences. In addition to facilitating payment card management, users can store and access boarding passes and other essential cards, making it a convenient all-in-one solution for managing their daily needs.
Looking to the future, we are excited to announce plans to expand the services offered through Samsung Wallet. We are exploring integrations with wearable devices, enabling users to make payments and access their cards directly from their smartwatches. By continuously evolving our platform, we aim to enrich the user experience and provide even more value to our customers in their everyday lives
Q4: How do you believe the launch of Samsung Wallet will enhance satisfaction among current users, and how do these key features aim to attract those considering a switch from other digital payment solutions?
A4: The launch of Samsung Wallet is a significant milestone for Galaxy users who have been eagerly awaiting this service. With its activation, users can look forward to a considerable improvement in their daily lives, as Samsung Wallet simplifies the payment process and allows for efficient management of their essential cards.
The service not only streamlines transactions, making payments easier and faster, but it also offers a highly secure environment. Users can have peace of mind knowing that their financial information is protected with advanced security features. Overall, we believe that Samsung Wallet will greatly enhance user satisfaction by providing a seamless, convenient, and secure digital payment experience that meets the needs of our Galaxy community.In summary, the launch of Samsung Wallet in Q4 2024 is expected to significantly enhance consumer convenience and promote the adoption of digital financial solutions in Saudi Arabia.
Q5: What future enhancements can consumers expect from Samsung Wallet, and how will these developments further enrich their experience and daily convenience?
A5: Currently, Samsung Wallet offers a variety of services globally beyond just payment functions. These include features like travel tickets, and event passes that streamline everyday tasks for users worldwide.
As we look to the future, we are dedicated to understanding the specific interests and needs of our audience in Saudi Arabia. Our team will exert the highest efforts to bring additional services that go beyond payments, tailored to enrich the lives of our users. By focusing on the unique preferences of the Saudi market, we aim to ensure that Samsung Wallet becomes an indispensable part of their daily routines.