Saudi Arabia, Sweden Discuss Enhancing Economic Cooperation

During his meetings in Stockholm, Qassabi discussed ways to enhance relations between Saudi Arabia and Sweden. SPA
During his meetings in Stockholm, Qassabi discussed ways to enhance relations between Saudi Arabia and Sweden. SPA
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Saudi Arabia, Sweden Discuss Enhancing Economic Cooperation

During his meetings in Stockholm, Qassabi discussed ways to enhance relations between Saudi Arabia and Sweden. SPA
During his meetings in Stockholm, Qassabi discussed ways to enhance relations between Saudi Arabia and Sweden. SPA

Saudi Minister of Commerce and Investment Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi has met with a number of Swedish officials in Stockholm, the Saudi Press Agency reported Thursday.

During his meetings, Qassabi discussed ways to enhance relations between the two countries, opportunities of cooperation under the Saudi Vision 2030, and ways to boost innovation, pioneer projects and methods to transfer and localize advanced technologies, SPA said.

He also briefed the Swedish officials on the Kingdom's economic reforms in several fields such as trade, investment and legislative regulations, in addition to its efforts of women empowerment, preserving the environment, renewable and clean energy, and small-and medium-sized enterprises, the news agency added.



Saudi Digital Payments Market Attracts Global Investments

Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Saudi Digital Payments Market Attracts Global Investments

Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Visitors to the Fintech 24 Conference in Riyadh (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

Saudi Arabia is pushing to increase digital payments to 70% by 2030, creating significant opportunities for global companies to expand in the region.
According to the Saudi Central Bank, electronic payments in the retail sector grew by 12% in 2023, reaching 70% of total transactions. Cashless transactions hit 10.8 billion, up from 8.7 billion in 2022, driving international companies to establish regional headquarters and capitalize on this growing market.
Nouf Al-Salama, Business Development Manager at PayerMax, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the company has opened a regional office in Saudi Arabia to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
She noted that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are expected to experience rapid growth in e-commerce, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the change. According to CNNB Solutions, both countries are seeing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39% and 38%, respectively.
Federico Pienovi, Head of Commercial Operations for Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania at Argentine company Globant, revealed the company’s ambitions to generate $1 billion in revenue in the Saudi market over the next five years.
He said that Saudi Arabia has been selected as Globant’s regional headquarters, although the company is expanding across the region. With these ambitions, Globant plans to create over 500 local jobs in the coming years, continue its expansion, support national talents, and work on major projects that bring cutting-edge technology innovations to the Kingdom, he underlined.
Mordor Intelligence projects a 15.4% CAGR for Saudi Arabia's payment market between 2022 and 2027, making it one of the most advanced markets transitioning towards a cashless society.
PayerMax estimates the global digital payments market, valued at $7.79 trillion in 2022, will reach $14.77 trillion within five years, driven by the growth of digital wallets, smartphones, and payment technologies. Emerging economies’ rapid smartphone adoption is expected to further fuel this growth.