<p>Riyad Bank announced its sponsorship of a number of forums held in different regions of the Kingdom in the field of entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises. The Bank revealed sponsoring the Youth Exhibition and Forum in the Eastern Region starting from 30th of November. The 3 day exhibition addresses the ways to develop the entrepreneurship spirit among the young businessmen and women, how to overcome the challenges that hinder the emerging enterprises and how to expand their contribution to the national economy. The event was attended by an elite group of experts, decision makers and major financing companies while Riyad Bank displayed the financing solutions and consultancy programs presented to the young entrepreneurs. The bank will also sponsor the 2nd Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum in Jazan University on 2 – 3 December aiming to enhance the ongoing efforts to build the knowledge economy in the local society and increase the innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities.</p><p>Ali Al-Jutealy, Vice President and Head of Emerging Enterprises Unit at Riyad Bank, said that sponsoring such important activities and knowledge forums comes in line with the bank’s vision to improve the environment of SMEs across the Kingdom, motivate the emerging enterprises and offer all the necessary support and solutions especially designed to cater for this vital sector. He also added that Riyad Bank has played a key role in the success of various financing programs for SMEs, such as “Kafalah”. The value of the guarantees issued by the bank exceeded SAR 1.55 billion and stood at 24% of the total guarantees issued since the beginning of the program, while the total financing of SMEs exceeded SAR 3.2 billion which is around 24.5% of the total amount of financing offered since the start of the program.</p>