The sixth edition of the Executives Forum, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), concluded today in Riyadh. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Commerce and Chairman of Monsha’at's Board of Directors, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, and was attended by over 1,100 entrepreneurs and stakeholders, including 500 CEOs and officials from the private and public sectors.

The sixth edition of the forum focused on topics related to developing and enhancing the investment environment, global investment strategies, identifying and capitalizing on growth opportunities in developing economies for SMEs, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation on reshaping business sectors.

During a session titled "The Impact of AI and Innovation on Reshaping Business Sectors," several CEOs emphasized the importance of utilizing and leveraging artificial intelligence to support the growth and sustainability of SMEs in the sector.

Speakers in the session "From Private Ownership to Public Offering and Navigating the IPO Path" noted that taking startups public in the financial market ushers them into a new era of investment, revolutionizes the business world, and opens new doors for innovation and growth. They affirmed that the Kingdom provides an exceptionally inspiring environment for entrepreneurs and offers promising opportunities that contribute to the growth and prosperity of the SME sector, while promoting innovation to develop fields of science, technology, and related products in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Participants in the session "Developing and Enhancing the Investment Environment" stressed the importance of reevaluating capital investment strategies, building relationships with investors, and enhancing collaboration support between SMEs.

In a session titled "Adopting a Governance and Sustainable Business System: Building Sustainable and Profitable Businesses," participants highlighted the important role of governance in building a sustainable business environment that supports the growth of startups.

It is worth mentioning that the number of advisory and counseling sessions in the Access Area reached approximately 80 sessions, with 56 investment opportunities available. The event witnessed the participation of 17 investors and representatives from investment entities, 23 exhibitors from small and medium-sized companies, and 20 local and international speakers. Additionally, eight agreements were signed during the forum in various financing areas that support SMEs.