Biban 2025 in Saudi Arabia opens with over $6B in deals
The forum launches 30 agreements to boost entrepreneurship, innovation, and global partnerships in line with Vision 2030 goals
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — The Biban 2025 forum opened in Riyadh on Wednesday with the signing of financing agreements and initiatives exceeding $5.94 billion, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s growing focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and global collaboration.
Held under the theme “A Global Destination for Opportunities,” the event featured the launch of more than 30 agreements and memoranda of understanding designed to strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a leading center for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) led the day’s activities with several major banking agreements, including $1.33 billion with Riyad Bank, $1.07 billion with Al Rajhi Bank, and $533 million with Arab National Bank.
Additional deals included $267 million each with Alinma Bank and Bank AlJazira, and $187 million with Banque Saudi Fransi.
Monsha’at also signed an MoU with the Saudi National Bank to develop innovative funding solutions for emerging businesses.
Beyond banking, new cooperation pacts were inked with Saudi Aramco to support fast-growing enterprises under the Tomouh program, with the Social Development Bank for entrepreneurial training and financing, and with Reef Saudi Academy to empower agricultural entrepreneurs.
Bank Albilad announced two financing portfolios worth $827 million, including $773 million for SMEs and $53 million for fast-growth firms.
The Saudi National Bank launched a $1.33 billion portfolio to provide flexible financing solutions, while the Saudi First Bank introduced a digital service enabling instant account openings for micro-enterprises.
Monsha’at also unveiled new digital initiatives, including an artificial intelligence program within its virtual lab to help startups adopt AI tools, and a cybersecurity track targeting more than 500 enterprises. The National Cybersecurity Authority complemented these with a new accelerator program focused on digital resilience.
The Kafala program signed financing guarantees worth $80 million with institutions such as Tarmeez Capital and Bidaya Finance, while the SME Bank finalized deals totaling $59 million with Aljabr Finance and Yanal Finance Co. to expand access to capital.
Adding a global dimension, Monsha’at signed a series of international MoUs to connect Saudi startups with partners in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Sweden, India, and France.
These include collaborations with Japan’s JETRO, Korea’s KOSME, and Thailand’s National Innovation Agency to promote joint research, contests, and policy development.
Further partnerships with Enterprise Singapore and Business Sweden will establish joint incubators and accelerators, while a deal with India’s Ministry of Commerce under the Startup India initiative will enhance mentorship programs. Another MoU with Business France aims to design capacity-building workshops for entrepreneurs.
Monsha’at also partnered with LinkedIn to deliver workshops for high-growth enterprises and with Standard Chartered Capital to expand its Women in Tech program supporting female-led startups.
These diverse initiatives underscore Monsha’at’s strategy to create an integrated ecosystem for entrepreneurs, advancing Saudi Vision 2030 objectives to diversify the economy and strengthen the SME sector.
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