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Saudi Trade Finance Summit

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Theme: Empowering Global Trade: Economic Diversification and Digital Solutions

The 12th Annual Trade Finance Summit, held in Riyadh, is a premier gathering that brings together industry leaders, financial experts, and policymakers from around the globe to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in Trade Finance. The summit brings together top 150 Financial Decision makers like Chief Financial Officers, Group Head of Treasury, VP Finance and Finance Heads, Directors from large Multinational companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Day One: Wednesday, 6th November 2024

InterContinental Riyadh, KSA

08:00 - 09:00

Registration, Networking and Welcome Refreshments

09:05 - 09:15

Welcome Address

09:20 - 09:55

Opening Panel

Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Economic Diversification

  • Strengthening international trade partnerships and navigating geopolitical challenges and risks to boost trade finance.
  • Boosting Saudi Arabia’s export sector through strategic initiatives, collaborations and public-private partnerships.
  • Implementing regulatory frameworks that align with global standards to facilitate smoother trade finance operations: Transforming the Kingdom into a global logistics hub
  • How digitalization supports Vision 2030 goals by boosting international trade and economic diversification.

Moderator

Panelists

10:00 - 10:20

Keynote Presentation

Developing Digital Trade Finance – Global developments and Saudi Arabia.

  • What is happening globally with Trade Finance regulation, especially around digital transferable documents.
  • How can Saudi Arabia leverage these developments to support the goal of becoming a global trade hub?
  • Saudi Arabia’s Digital Public Infrastructure and how this can be an advantage in the next stages of trade finance and bridging the Trade Finance gap for SME.
  • SAB’s digital platforms and vision to support this.

Speaker

10:25 - 10:55

Keynote : Marco Economic Viewpoint

Saudi Arabia Economic Outlook: Heading in 2025

  • Examination of diversification strategies in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030
  • How is the Saudi economy doing?
  • The Saudi economic outlook for 2025
  • Implications of the outlook for trade finance

Speaker

11:00 - 11:30

Networking coffee break and visit to boutique exhibition area

11:35 - 12:10

CFO Fireside Chat

Evolving Financial Strategies in response to global volatility

  • Addressing the challenges faced by CFOs while dealing with market uncertainty and geopolitical risks
  • Building resilient banking relationships in a time of tighter credit conditions, regulatory hurdles, and evolving market expectations.
  • Strategies for CFOs to balance cost optimization, risk management, and strategic investments to build more resilient supply chains.
  • The way forward for the industry as we collaborate to drive business growth

Moderator

Panelists

12:15 - 12:50

C-Level Think Tank Panel

Revolutionizing Trade & Supply Chain Finance: The Synergy of AI and Customer-Centric Solutions

  • Supporting non-oil sectors by enhancing export capabilities and attracting foreign direct investment .
  • Highlighting customer-centric approach and how it translates into tailored solutions and exceptional service.
  • Application of Gen AI in Trade and Supply Chain Finance: operational efficiency, compliance, risk management, ESG, scaling the business and more
  • Future trends in Gen Ai led solutions in trade and SCF

Moderator

Panelists

12:50 - 13:25

Dhuhr Prayer, Networking coffee break and visit to boutique exhibition area

13:30 - 14:05

Panel Session: Digitalization of Trade & Trade Finance

Unlocking Efficiency and Agility: Leveraging Advanced Technologies in Trade Finance

  • Importance of digitalization for enhancing efficiency and competitiveness in the industry.
  • How are technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, IoT, and big data analytics transforming traditional supply chain and trade finance processes.
  • Regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements governing digital transformation in the industry.
  • The role of digital technologies in improving access to trade finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

Moderator

Panelists

14:10 - 14:30

Exclusive Interview: Navigating Supply Chain Disruptions

How businesses can tap into supply chain financing to strengthen financial stability and drive growth

  • The role of banks and fintech in expanding SCF options to support suppliers and buyers across the Kingdom.
  • Leveraging digital platforms and blockchain to increase transparency and efficiency in supply chain financing
  • Strategies for mitigating risks and improving liquidity during supply chain disruptions.
  • Exploring the integration of Islamic finance principles with SCF to meet the region's unique market needs.

Speaker

14:35 - 14:40

Raffle Draw to win trip to Greece and Closing Remarks

14:40 - 15:30

5 Star Networking Luncheon and Close of Day 1

Day Two: Thursday, 7th November 2024

InterContinental Riyadh, KSA

08:00 - 08:45

Registration, Networking and Welcome Refreshments

08:50 - 08:55

Opening Remarks from the Emcee

09:00 - 09:20

Opening Keynote:

Empowering SMEs through capacity building initiatives, export and import support & access to finance

  • Promoting Digital Trade Solutions through E-commerce and digital payments, Supply chain financing platforms & Digital trade documentation.
  • Expanding Trade Finance Reach through Inclusive finance initiatives, Women-owned businesses and trade finance & Geographical expansion of trade finance services.
  • Supporting SMEs in managing trade risks through Insurance and guarantees & Trade credit insurance and Risk management training and tools.
  • Collaborating with financial institutions for joint product development, Knowledge sharing & Capacity building.

Speaker

09:25 - 10:00

Panel Session:

Ensuring Sufficient Liquidity for Trade Finance Operations Amidst Fluctuating Oil Prices and Economic Diversification Efforts

  • Mitigating the financial risks associated with oil price volatility.
  • Understanding sectoral shifts and the impact of diversification into non-oil sectors on trade finance operations.
  • Developing strategies to build resilient trade finance operations capable of withstanding economic uncertainties.
  • Leveraging supply chain financing to ensure liquidity.

Moderator

Panelists

10:05 - 10:25

SME Keynote - Future Outlook

Trade Finance’s Role in Sustaining Long-Term Diversification

  • Saudi Arabia's Economic Evolution and Diversification Journey
  • Facilitating exports and reducing risks in international trade, while also providing liquidity across various sectors.
  • How Global financial institutions can provide Saudi Arabia access to a wider range of trade finance products and services.
  • Modernizing the trade finance system in Saudi Arabia through electronic platforms and stricter compliance measures

Speaker

10:30 - 11:00

Networking coffee break and visit to boutique exhibition area

11:05 - 11:45

CFO Power Panel Session:

Critical Challenges Facing Finance Heads

  • Mitigating risks associated with global economic fluctuations and managing the impact of oil price volatility on financial planning
  • Ensuring liquidity and cash flow management for optimizing working capital and maintaining liquidity.
  • Utilizing blockchain for secure and efficient transactions & data analytics and AI for enhanced financial decision-making.
  • Identifying and implementing cost-saving measures for effective budgeting and financial forecasting.

Moderator

Panelists

11:50 - 12:25

Round Table Discussion

Topic 1: Key priorities for cash management in the current times for treasurers

Topic 2: CFO perspective: The next big trends and innovation in trade and supply chain financing

12:30 - 13:00

Dhuhr Prayer, Networking coffee break and visit to boutique exhibition area

13:05 - 13:45

STF Awards 2024

1) Saudi CFO Awards 2024
2) Saudi Banks Awards 2024

13:50 - 13:55

Raffle Draw to win trip to Bali & Closing remarks

14:00 - 15:00

5 Star Networking Luncheon and Close of Summit

* Program is subject to change and Organisers may alter Sessions/Topics/Timings to suit the overall Program.