Senior executives from across the global financial sector are set to meet with leading figures from Saudi government and banking  in Riyadh tomorrow (May 2), at The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference 2017.

The two-day event is set to focus on the challenges and opportunities of delivering Vision 2030, the national plan for economic and social transformation, with commentary and insight from a range of experts.  

The conference, held in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance, will bring together ministers, experts, analysts, and senior executives to discuss the steps taken to date, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for companies within the kingdom and for international financial organisations looking to play a role.

Mohammed Al-Jadaan, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Finance, will open the conference and deliver the opening keynote presentation.

Global interest in Vision 2030 has surged in recent months, with international delegations from the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan and Pakistan all recently pledging to support the ambitious plan.

The conference on Progress of Vision 2030 will include keynotes by Al-Jadaan and Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Saudi Minister of Housing.

In addition to the core plan, the launch of a range of supporting initiatives – such as the announcement of the Parallel Financial Market, the Fiscal Balance Programme 2020 and the establishment of a General Entertainment Authority for the Kingdom –  has generated significant comment and expressions of interest from companies around the world, said a statement.

More than 1,600 delegates are expected to attend the event, which is the largest financial conference of its kind in the kingdom.

Mohamed Kharboush, conference director, Euromoney Conferences, said: “Since its launch a year ago, it has been clear that, with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has embarked on one of the boldest socio-economic experiments in the world today. The impact of the decisions taken are being felt across the region, so we are very pleased that we have brought together leaders from across the Kingdom alongside senior banking executives to assess the progress made to date and the future road ahead.”

International perspectives will be provided through interviews and panel discussions with a number of senior executives from regional and global financial companies, including Al Rajhi Bank, Al Rajhi Capital, BNP Paribas, Citi, Gulf International Bank, HSBC, Jabal Omar Development Company, Jadwa Investment, NCB, NCB Capital, QNB and Tadawul.

Othe major speakers providing their perspective at the conference will include Dr Ahmed Abdulkarim Alkholifey, Governor, Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency; Mohamed El-Kuwaiz, vice chairman, Capital Market Authority; and Khalid Abdullah Al Hussan, chief executive Officer, Tadawul.
 
Saudi Arabia’s Capital Market Authority, which will be represented at The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference, has instituted a series of new corporate governance rules in support of Vision 2030 and to safeguard the rights of shareholders, board members and investors in the kingdom.

Mohamed El-Kuwaiz, vice chairman, Capital Market Authority, said: “The CMA is developing a distinct programme to ensure the Vision 2030 plan achieves its key goals, and we are emphasising the role of the capital market in stimulating growth and positioning the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a major investment power. We are pleased to return to The Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference to outline our strategy and its role in Vision 2030.”   - TradeArabia News Service