Riyadh, KSA- The 13th Saudi Trade Finance Summit was a landmark event, that brought together leaders from banking, corporates, government entities, fintech and technology providers for two days of strategic discussions, collaboration, and actionable insights in Riyadh. The summit showcased the Kingdom’s progress toward scalable financial systems, industrial transformation, and innovation-driven growth.
The summit opened with a keynote by Dr. Said Alshaikh, who shared insights on Saudi Arabia’s 2026 economic outlook amid global volatility, highlighting strategies to turn uncertainty into resilience and sustainable growth. The event also featured Eng. Majid Al Rafae, who emphasised the role of strategic finance in industrial development and the energy sector, and Afzal Hussain Mohammed Nakheeb, who discussed building robust financial systems to support scalable and long-term growth across sectors. Together, these sessions set the tone for two days of dynamic discussions and actionable insights.
“This year’s Saudi Trade Finance Summit has been a truly rewarding experience — from delivering a keynote to engaging with an esteemed audience and hearing valuable insights from other speakers on the most pressing topics in both Saudi and global trade finance. The quality of delegates remains exceptional, bringing together leaders from corporates, government entities, semi-government sectors, and major banks. On a scale of 1 to 10, it’s a definite 10.” shared Sean Bowey, Head of Product — Global Trade Solutions, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB).
Delegates found the summit to be a platform for real business outcomes. Salim Patka, CFO of BinDawood Holding, reflected: “With over 24 years at Bin Dawood Holding, events like the Saudi Trade Finance Summit have been part of our growth story. Every edition brings something new, relevant, and genuinely qualitative. The fact that I keep coming back year after year is a strong message.”
Speakers highlighted the interactive nature of discussions and practical insights. Zia Mustafa, CFO of Arabian Medical Products Manufacturing Co. (ENAYAH), said: “As a CFO and part of the Saudi healthcare manufacturing sector for over 15 years, I found the Saudi Trade Finance Summit incredibly valuable. The Summit brought together an engaging audience, with meaningful interactions among speakers, sponsors, and panelists sharing best practices from across multiple geographies. Overall, it was highly interactive and engaging.”
Technology-driven companies also found the summit highly relevant. Mohmed Etman, CFO of FlyAkeed, said: “Being at the Saudi Trade Finance Summit this year has been an energizing experience from the moment I walked in. I’m genuinely proud to see an event of this scale and professionalism taking place in Riyadh. The networking has been exceptional; I’ve made countless connections and can clearly see strong business potential ahead. If I had to describe the event in one phrase, it would be ‘perfect customization.’”
Sponsors emphasised the summit’s value as a platform for engagement and visibility. Abdullah Alsultan, Corporate Finance Director of Tarmeez Capital, noted: “This is our second year participating in the Saudi Trade Finance Summit, and it has once again been a valuable platform for presenting our capabilities, showcasing our performance, and engaging with both existing and potential clients. The quality of delegates has been fantastic, and the conversations were productive and helpful from a business perspective.”
For returning leaders, the summit’s continuity reinforced its relevance. Sherif Hamouda, CFO of Saudi Benya, shared: “I’ve been attending the Saudi Trade Finance Summit since 2014, and every year it continues to deliver value. This edition offered insightful sessions that touched on key points CFOs need to stay updated on, especially around funding opportunities. The networking breaks were equally productive — I finalized an agreement with Tarmeez Capital, and initiated discussions with Al Rajhi Bank. The summit once again proved to be a strong platform for real business outcomes and meaningful connections.”
Mohammed Bellal, Group CFO at Pharma Pharmaceutical Industries Group, reflected: “What makes this summit truly significant is that it goes beyond being an annual event — it’s a gathering of experience, resilience, and meaningful dialogue that genuinely influences organizational decision-making. Staying proactive in such a dynamic ecosystem is essential.”
Muhammad Ovais, Finance Director at Mansour Al Mosaid Group, commented: “My core message today was about strengthening the resilience of the trade finance function and staying consistently risk-aware within our industry. The Saudi Trade Finance Summit stands out as a collaborative platform where banking partners and industry peers come together to exchange ideas, explore trade products, and align on practical solutions.”
Delegates praised both the depth of insights and the networking opportunities. Mubashar Khan, Senior Finance Director at GDC Middle East, shared: “With over 30 years of experience in finance — including 24 years in Saudi Arabia — I found this year’s Saudi Trade Finance Summit to be both insightful and enriching. The sessions offered deep knowledge, especially from speakers who shared valuable perspectives on the evolving role of CFOs and the finance solutions presented by various sponsors and banks.”
The summit also energized the trade finance community, from navigating FX and digital supply chains to fostering cross-sector collaboration. Insights were invaluable, networking was dynamic, and the event culminated in the Saudi CFO & Saudi Banks Awards, graciously facilitated by Guest of Honor Mr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Babtain, Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Exports at the Federation of Saudi Chambers of Commerce. The ceremony celebrated the industry’s brightest leaders, leaving participants inspired, connected, and energized for the year ahead. From keynotes to networking breaks, the summit consistently combined insight, practical knowledge, and opportunity. Attendees alike lauded the summit for its high-quality content, meaningful interactions, and tangible business impact, leaving participants energized, inspired, and better equipped to drive Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation and advance the trade finance ecosystem.
