Latest news with #Monsha'at


Zawya
6 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
The Saudi Arabia Pavilion and Monsha'at host Business collaboration event at Expo 2025 Osaka
On 31 May, The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at) will host the 'Empowering Entrepreneurs and SMEs: An Introduction to Monsha'at' business event from 16:00 to 18:00. Held at the Saudi Arabia Pavilion's dedicated Collaboration Hub, media can register to attend this session through the provided link. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is open daily from 09:00 – 21:00, inside the West Gate in the Connecting Zone (C14-01). Osaka, Japan — The Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka is hosting an engaging business event with The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at). 'Empowering Entrepreneurs and SMEs: An Introduction to Monsha'at' will explore Monsha'at's pivotal role in supporting SMEs in Saudi Arabia, highlight opportunities at the upcoming Biban Forum which is the largest start-up, SME, and entrepreneurship conference in Saudi Arabia, and showcase the global impact and entrepreneurial momentum driven by the Entrepreneurship World Cup. Throughout the six-month Expo, over 150 business events will take place at the Saudi Pavilion's dedicated Collaboration Hub, providing a strategic platform for multilateral engagement. These business events will facilitate meaningful dialogue between stakeholders across key themes such as investment, sports, sustainability, and development, contributing to a shared vision for a better future. Each event is designed to bring together a wide spectrum of participants, from government representatives and business leaders. By offering a dedicated space for impactful engagement, these events enable stakeholders to forge global connections, positioning the Saudi Arabia Pavilion as a hub for international collaboration and innovation. All media are welcome and invited to join the Saudi Arabia Pavilion's Collaboration Hub to witness firsthand how strategic dialogue is shaping global partnerships at Expo 2025 Osaka. The Saudi Arabia Pavilion is driving impactful conversations and setting the stage for a more sustainable future. The full program of business events for the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka on the official website:


Arab News
14-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi brands eyeing global expansion get boost at expo
The first International Floating Franchise Exhibition concluded its events with remarkable success aboard the luxurious Aroya Cruise, with wide international participation from representatives of 24 countries. Held under the patronage of the Federation of Saudi Chambers, the event witnessed the signing of several international and local agreements aimed at enhancing the global presence of Saudi brands and positioning the Kingdom as a regional and global hub for franchise business. The closing ceremony commenced with a keynote speech highlighting the Saudi identity and its mission to promote a global culture of business through the initiative 'Saudi Franchise to the World,' which served as the central theme of the exhibition. During the event, cooperation agreements were signed between the National Franchise Committee and entities from several countries including the UK, South Korea, South Africa, and China, as part of a broader effort to support the international expansion of Saudi brands and attract foreign investments. In addition, local agreements were signed with key government entities such as Monsha'at (Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority) and the Social Development Bank, to strengthen the infrastructure of the franchise sector within the Kingdom. In his closing remarks, Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi, chairman of the National Franchise Committee, emphasized the exhibition's strategic objectives, including: • Launching a specialized investment fund to support Saudi brands and empower their expansion into international markets. • ntroducing an interactive digital platform designed to connect Saudi brands with global investors, providing qualification, marketing, and technical support services to streamline international franchising. • Establishing a national company for the alliance of Saudi brands, aimed at facilitating collective global expansion through strategic partnerships, joint procurement, and service integration. The closing ceremony also included the recognition of sponsoring companies, government and international partners, and the Saudi Restaurants and Cafes Owners Association, in appreciation of their vital role in the exhibition's success. Dr. Al-Ghamdi announced that preparations are underway to host the next floating exhibition in Istanbul, further reflecting the committee's commitment to expanding the global footprint of Saudi franchising. He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to the team at the Federation of Saudi Chambers, and the crew of Aroya Cruise, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, praising their dedication and outstanding efforts in delivering this exceptional event. The exhibition ran for three days, featuring 10 interactive workshops led by experts from various countries, alongside showcases of a wide array of Saudi brands eager to expand internationally — all aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which seeks to establish the Kingdom as a global center for franchising.


Arab News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
SMEs account for 30% of listed companies in Saudi Arabia: CMA chief
JEDDAH: Small and medium enterprises now constitute 30 percent of listed companies in Saudi Arabia, following significant efforts by the Capital Market Authority to streamline the listing process and enhance the parallel market, according to CMA Chairman Mohammed El-Kuwaiz. Speaking during 'Finance Week' at the SME Support Council — an event organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, also known as Monsha'at — El-Kuwaiz underscored the regulator's commitment to broadening financing options and encouraging more SMEs to enter the capital market. According to the Saudi Press Agency, El-Kuwaiz highlighted the 2017 launch of the parallel market, Nomu, as a major milestone in expanding access for smaller firms. Since then, 14 companies have successfully moved from Nomu to the main market, underscoring the strength of the investment ecosystem. The Kingdom is targeting a 35 percent contribution from the SME sector to its gross domestic product by 2030, in line with the Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. El-Kuwaiz noted that the Nomu index has grown tenfold since its inception, with market capitalization soaring 26 times to nearly SR60 billion ($16 billion) by the end of 2024. Liquidity has also surged, with trading values reaching approximately SR14 billion this year — an eightfold increase. To further ease capital market access, the CMA has introduced a suite of new tools, including direct listings and regulatory simplifications, in collaboration with strategic partners. As a result, companies now have access to nine distinct financing options, most of which were developed in recent years. The CMA chief also pointed to the rapid growth of the fintech sector within capital markets, with revenues more than doubling — up 105 percent compared to 2023. He emphasized the growing importance of credit ratings and evaluations in securing financing, particularly through debt instruments, which are increasingly vital for fostering sustainable growth in the financial sector.


Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
30% of listed firms on Saudi market are SMEs, says CMA chief
RIYADH — The chairman of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) Mohammed Al-Quwaiz highlighted the growing role of Saudi Arabia's financial market in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), citing significant efforts in recent years to expand listing opportunities and diversify financing tools. Speaking during the Enterprise Support Council held as part of the 'Finance Week' organized by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha'at), Al-Quwaiz emphasized the impact of recent initiatives to empower entrepreneurs and business owners. Al-Quwaiz stated that the Saudi market now provides nine financing channels for companies, most of which were developed in recent years. Among the most notable developments, he said, was the launch of the parallel market 'Nomu,' which has facilitated wider market access for SMEs. Currently, 30 of the companies listed in the Saudi financial market are SMEs, 14 of which have graduated from the parallel market to the main market after achieving business growth. This, he noted, reflects the success of the investment climate cultivated by the CMA. 'The general market index for growth has increased tenfold since launch, and the market value has surged to approximately SR60 billion — a 26-fold increase. Liquidity in the parallel market has grown eightfold, with trading values in 2024 reaching SR14 billion,' said Al-Quwaiz. He added that the CMA has updated listing and offering requirements to align with international best practices. New tools, such as direct listings, have been introduced, while regulatory barriers have been reduced in collaboration with other government entities to ease the listing process for SMEs. The CMA has also worked with partner institutions to implement over 14 incentives supporting listing and offering, including advantages related to government procurement, credit rating, and company evaluation. Al-Quwaiz also noted the growing role of financial technology in the market, with sector revenues rising by 105% year-on-year in 2024. He underscored the importance of credit rating and evaluation in enabling companies to secure financing, particularly through debt instruments, calling them vital components for long-term growth and market sustainability. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (


Arabian Business
09-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Women own nearly half of Saudi Arabia's hospitality establishments: Report
Women in Saudi Arabia now own 59,800 establishments in the accommodation and food service sector, representing 49.7 per cent of the total businesses in this sector, according to data released by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha'at). The report revealed that the accommodation and food service sector employed 712,000 workers in 2024, distributed across various enterprise sizes. The workforce distribution shows 250,000 workers in micro enterprises, 258,600 in small enterprises, 115,000 in medium-sized enterprises, and 88,000 in large enterprises, the Saudi Gazette reported, citing the Monsha'at report. This growth in women-owned businesses comes amid a broader expansion of commercial activity in the Kingdom. The Ministry of Commerce reported a 48 per cent increase in commercial registrations issued during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. More than 154,000 commercial registrations were issued in Q1 2025, bringing the total number to more than 1.68 million across all regions of Saudi Arabia, the report said.