The activities of the 6th edition of the Executives Forum kicked off today in Riyadh, organized by Monsha’at under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Monsha’at Board of Directors, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi. The event was attended by a group of international and local experts, specialists, and entrepreneurs to learn about the latest innovative developments contributing to the growth and development of SMEs.
During the opening ceremony, the Governor of Monsha’at, Sami bin Ibrahim Al-Husaini, delivered a welcoming speech to the attendees, stating that Monsha’at seeks to support and develop "high-growth" SMEs through various activities, programs, and events, including this 6th edition of the forum. The forum will highlight several topics that empower CEOs, enabling them to seize opportunities and keep up with business trends to enhance the development and growth of their enterprises.
Al-Husaini emphasized the vital role of high-growth enterprises and their impact on the global economies, noting that there are over 17,000 such establishments in the Kingdom, contributing more than 50% of SMEs' total impact on the GDP. The Governor of Monshaat mentioned that the forum is one of the forms of support as it hosts CEOs and officials from 500 companies, along with more than 40 local and international speakers, investors, and decision-makers participating in various dialogues and consultations during the forum. The event also hosts more than 20 distinguished establishments that have benefited from the utilization of emerging technologies in their growth, showcasing their services and products in the accompanying exhibition. Additionally, it includes areas for entrepreneurs interested in exploring investment opportunities or receiving quality consultations provided by experts in emerging technologies, financing, and governance.
Al-Husaini discussed the "Tomoh" program, which aims to stimulate the growth of enterprises and create business opportunities and local and regional expansion. The program includes more than 1,000 establishments that are among the best in the Kingdom, offering high-quality services, advanced growth programs, and various activities and events through more than 40 local and international service providers. He noted that the support for Tomoh-affiliated enterprises is provided through several tailored interventions based on their actual needs, with 160 of them supported to qualify for listing on the stock market. Fourteen establishments have been listed, and the total investments in Tomoh enterprises have exceeded 1.5 billion Saudi riyals since 2022. The revenue growth rate of Tomoh enterprises reached 40% in 2022, with revenues totaling 16 billion Saudi riyals.
The Executives Forum, in its sixth edition, will be attended by over 500 CEOs, investors, and representatives from the public and private sectors. The forum aims to familiarize participants with government programs and initiatives that support SMEs, providing them with skills that contribute to accelerating the growth of their establishments and promoting a culture of innovation in SMEs to create opportunities and solutions in various fields. It also empowers leaders of SMEs and entrepreneurs by equipping them with best practices and strategies to keep up with changes in the business environment.
The conference will discuss several topics during the panel sessions, focusing on investment and artificial intelligence (AI) and their role in supporting different business sectors. It will also address ways to develop the investment environment by reconsidering bold capital strategies, building relationships with investors, and enhancing collaboration with SMEs.
The forum offers over 60 advisory sessions by consultants and experts specializing in business growth and sustainability. Additionally, around 22 companies participating in the "Tomoh" program, which are high-growth enterprises, showcase their projects and businesses to visitors and investors. The forum includes an Investors' Zone, aiming to create collaboration opportunities among entrepreneurs and discuss prominent investment prospects.
Furthermore, the forum will witness the signing of agreements between enterprises and several financing entities to support SMEs with financial solutions that contribute to their growth and business continuity.