On the role of banks in supporting SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia To what extent does the current macro backdrop translate into effective credit uptake by SMEs? Which risk-sharing tools can help convert demand into actual lending? HOMAM HASHEM: The current macroeconomic environment in Saudi Arabia, reflected in a non-oil Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) of 58.1 in March 2025, points to a…
Interview: Mana bin Mohamed Al Khamsan, CEO, The Financial Academy, on workforce upskilling, global standards and ethical growth How is the role of financial professional training evolving, particularly in the context of Vision 2030 and the Financial Sector Development Programme? MANA BIN MOHAMED AL KHAMSAN: As the financial industry evolves, professionals must continuously upskill and reskill to…
Interview: Ibrahim bin Hamad Al Rashid, CEO, SME Bank, on small business growth, mergers, risk management and digital finance What does the Open Banking framework offer small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? IBRAHIM BIN HAMAD AL RASHID: Open Banking offers SMEs a significant step forwards in transparency, access and informed decision-making. By enabling secure data sharing, it provides a real-time…
Interview: Ayman Al Sayari, Governor, Saudi Central Bank, on digitalisation trends and the changing regulatory environment In what ways is the banking sector being guided to support economic diversification objectives? AYMAN AL SAYARI: Economic transformation has expanded the role of the banking sector beyond traditional oil-linked activity. Credit demand has grown across non-oil segments, including…
Interview: Faris AlGhannam, CEO, HSBC Saudi Arabia, on expanding investor access and market opportunity What lessons were learned from the initial public offering (IPO) activity in 2024? FARIS ALGHANNAM: The equity market can maintain momentum even when the secondary market is mixed and global conditions are uncertain. This resilience comes from the nature of companies going public – many operate…
Interview: Mohammed Al Rumaih, CEO, Saudi Exchange, on expanding investor participation and strengthening market foundations How do you envision the capital markets’ long-term position globally and what distinguishes them from other regional financial markets? MOHAMMED AL RUMAIH: The long-term trajectory points to a deeper integration with global markets and sustained growth in economic influence.…
Interview: Khalid Al Sharif, CEO, Abdul Latif Jameel Finance, on leveraging digital and sharia-compliant solutions for financial inclusion How can non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) deepen participation and expand access in debt and sukuk (Islamic bonds) markets? KHALID AL SHARIF: NBFIs have filled critical gaps, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises for which audited financials…
Interview: Tal Hisham Nazer, CEO, BUPA Arabia, on regulatory changes shaping the sector and increased public-private collaboration In what ways has the health insurance sector adapted to meet the needs of a growing population? TAL HISHAM NAZER: The Saudi health insurance sector has been on a transformative journey since its inception in the mid-1990s. At that time, private health care facilities…
Interview: Shabab bin Saad Al Ghamdi, Secretary General, Council of Health Insurance, on system modernisation and strategic reform How is the rollout of the new national insurance programme expected to reshape demand patterns across the Kingdom? SHABAB BIN SAAD AL GHAMDI: It creates a clearer separation between public financing and private insurance. A central public purchaser will fund care for…
Interview: Tony Cripps, CEO and Managing Director, SAB, on capital discipline, housing demand and transition opportunities How is the current interest-rate environment influencing lending activity and business confidence? TONY CRIPPS: A more normalised interest-rate environment is acting as an added catalyst in an already robust economy, helping to lower funding costs and ease competitive pressures…
