Saudi Arabia’s financial sector is undergoing a major transformation, driven by the Financial Sector Development Programme and the Kingdom’s ambition to integrate more deeply with global markets. During our recent Fireside Chat with Swift and SAB, experts Ali Khakwani (Head of Digital Solutions & Advisory, Global Payment Solutions – Corporate & Institutional Banking, SAB) and Mickaël Thomas (Head of Corporates & Partners Management MEA, Caucasus & Central Asia, Country Manager Morocco/Mauritania, Swift), moderated by Huny Garg (Executive Director & Country Head – KSA, Swift), shared practical insights for European corporates navigating this evolving landscape.

The discussion highlighted:

• The Kingdom’s emergence as a regional leader in treasury, liquidity, and digitalisation
• Opportunities from regulatory reforms, new payment infrastructures, and fintech innovation
• Challenges including fragmented systems and data localisation requirements
• ⁠The role of Special Economic Zones and the RHQ programme in attracting foreign investment
• ⁠The growing impact of open banking, APIs, and ISO 20022 standards on efficiency and transparency

As Saudi Arabia advances towards global financial standards and deeper capital markets, the environment for international corporates is becoming increasingly dynamic.

📘 Read the full Post-Webinar Report to explore the key takeaways and insights from the session with Swift and SAB.