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The Social Development Bank successfully concluded its participation as a strategic partner in the “Forsaty 4” forum, held under the patronage of Qassim Gov. Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal. The event took place from Jan. 22 to 25 and highlighted SDB’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and empowering youth capabilities.

SDB’s pavilion at the forum witnessed significant engagement from entrepreneurs and attendees, eager to learn about the diverse range of financing services offered by the bank. Visitors also benefited from specialized advisory platforms designed to support project development and showcase inspiring success stories. Additionally, attendees explored the “Jada 30” business incubator, which provides comprehensive support for emerging enterprises, and participated in the “Hackathon Jada thon,” a platform transforming creative ideas into actionable projects with technical assistance and practical guidance.

Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Hamidi, CEO of SDB, said: “SDB’s participation in the ‘Forsaty 4’ forum reaffirms our ongoing commitment to supporting youth and promoting entrepreneurship in line with Saudi Vision 2030. Through these events, we enhance sustainable development opportunities and open promising horizons for ambitious youth to become active contributors to the national economy.”

As part of its developmental efforts, SDB has provided financing to the Qassim region amounting to approximately SR7.9 billion ($2.1 billion). This support has been distributed across social loans, self-employment financing, and funding for productive families and small enterprises. Financing for self-employment and productive families alone grew from SR49.9 million in 2019 to SR184 million in 2024. Similarly, financing for small enterprises more than doubled, reaching SR214 million during the same period.

In addition to financial services, SDB has offered non-financial initiatives to promote a culture of self-employment and savings. More than 36,000 beneficiaries participated in 438 courses and workshops, while specialized training programs have been delivered to 24,000 individuals through 358 training courses.

“SDB’s involvement in the ‘Forsaty 4’ forum continues its legacy of impactful participation in previous editions,” it said in a statement. “Since its inception in 2019, SDB has been a strategic partner of the forum, strengthening its role in 2022 by introducing expanded services and initiatives to support entrepreneurs during the second edition. In the third edition in 2024, SDB further solidified its commitment by offering 20 advisory pavilions, 20 entrepreneurial support stations, and organizing specialized workshops, empowering young people and fostering entrepreneurship across the Kingdom, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”

Ericsson will showcase its cutting-edge technologies and innovation leadership at LEAP 2025, taking place Feb. 9-12, at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Malham. Demonstrating its commitment to Saudi Vision 2030, Ericsson will display advanced solutions, present live technology demonstrations, share success stories with partners, and unveil expert insights into the future of connectivity.

Under the theme “Step Forward: Discover the Unfolding Future,” Ericsson is reinforcing its long-standing partnership with its partners in Saudi Arabia, which spans more than four decades. Through collaborations with communication service providers, enterprises, and government entities, Ericsson is driving the localization of advanced technologies, nurturing local talent, and contributing to the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in technology and innovation.

Ericsson’s booth will feature interactive demonstrations, panel discussions, and technical sessions of its latest innovations across 5G, artificial intelligence, and advanced network solutions, and showcases on AI-powered networks and immersive use cases for consumers and enterprises. This will allow visitors to get a feel of networks of the future and explore how these technologies are enabling industries to digitize, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainability goals.

Adding to the event’s thought leadership, Ericsson will host live episodes for its Tech Insights podcast featuring industry leaders and experts discussing the transformative impact of connectivity on various sectors.

Håkan Cervell, vice president and head of Saudi Arabia at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, said: “Like every year, we are truly excited to showcase Ericsson’s innovative technologies at LEAP 2025, and how they are empowering a sustainable, connected future for Saudi Arabia and beyond. Our presence at this event reflects our steadfast dedication to supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by enhancing digital infrastructure, fostering sustainability, and enabling progress through advanced connectivity solutions.”