The inaugural Saudi-Swiss Fintech Forum, held in Riyadh at the end of November, marked a significant milestone in fostering collaboration between the two nations in the rapidly evolving fintech landscape.

Event Organization

The event was organized by Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE) in partnership with the Swiss Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the Swiss Financial Innovation Desk (FIND), and Fintech Saudi.

Participants and Workshops

It attracted 47 participants from 40 Swiss companies, ranging from startups to established private banks and investors. The forum featured an investor panel and thematic workshops that explored critical areas such as wealth management, infrastructure, data management, and alternative finance.

Engagement with Key Stakeholders

Participants had the opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, including visits to the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA) and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA).

Positive Feedback and Optimism

The event received positive feedback from participants, highlighting its success in showcasing Switzerland's fintech innovations and exploring potential synergies in the Saudi market. The atmosphere at the forum was optimistic, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia's advancements in digital central bank currencies and asset tokenization.

Platform for Knowledge Exchange

The event served as a platform for knowledge exchange and a catalyst for strengthening the Saudi-Swiss partnership in the fintech sector.

Future Initiatives and Collaboration

Plans are already underway for a follow-up event, potentially hosted in Switzerland, reflecting the strong desire to continue fostering collaboration between Swiss fintech companies and their Saudi counterparts. Future initiatives are being planned to promote further collaboration in the fintech sector, with a focus on providing platforms for exchange and networking between Swiss and Saudi companies.

Promising Future and Importance of Dialogue

The commitment to nurturing these relationships signals a promising future for fintech innovation and collaboration between the two nations. The successful debut of the Saudi-Swiss Fintech Forum highlights the potential for future partnerships and underscores the importance of fostering dialogue and cooperation in an increasingly interconnected world.