The 13th Saudi Trade Finance Summit wrapped up in Riyadh after two days of high-level conversation, collaboration, and market-focused dialogue. Bringing together senior representatives from major banks, corporates, government authorities, fintech firms, and technology companies, the summit highlighted the Kingdom’s continued commitment to scalable financial ecosystems, industrial development, and innovation-led progress.
The programme commenced with a keynote from Dr. Said Alshaikh, who assessed Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape heading into 2026 and shared approaches for building resilience in the face of global uncertainty. Eng. Majid Al Rafae addressed how strategic finance continues to shape industrial and energy-sector growth, while Afzal Hussain Mohammed Nakheeb focused on constructing robust financial systems capable of supporting long-term expansion. These early contributions helped frame the summit’s subsequent sessions.
“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).
The summit was widely recognised for enabling concrete business engagement. Salim Patka, CFO of BinDawood Holding, said: “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 praised the meaningful exchanges and the opportunity to share expertise. Zia Mustafa of ENAYAH stated: “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.”
Tech-driven organisations also found the summit impactful. Mohmed Etman, CFO of FlyAkeed, shared: “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 recognised the summit’s role in strengthening brand exposure and business ties. Abdullah Alsultan of Tarmeez Capital commented: “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 seasoned participants, the summit continued its tradition of relevance. Sherif Hamouda of Saudi Benya explained: “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.”
Industry leaders further emphasised the summit’s importance. Mohammed Bellal noted: “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.”
Similarly, Muhammad Ovais remarked: “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 also valued the depth of thought leadership and the quality networking environment. Mubashar Khan said: “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 energised the trade finance ecosystem with conversations on FX, digital supply chain transformation, and broader cross-industry cooperation. The event concluded with the Saudi CFO & Saudi Banks Awards, led by Guest of Honour Mr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Babtain. The ceremony recognised exceptional leaders and left attendees inspired and well-equipped for the year ahead. Throughout its two days, the summit combined expert insight, practical direction, and strategic opportunity, affirming its place as a key event in Saudi Arabia’s trade finance landscape.
