Saudi Arabia’s top ministers are gathering in Riyadh this May to ask “Are public finances in the Kingdom sustainable?” This is the focus of the forthcoming eighth Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference being held in partnership with the Ministry of Finance for two days from May 7.
While prospects for the Kingdom’s economy look very good in the medium term, Euromoney’s event will question whether the current model needs to change. Might a different approach minimize risk and bring greater returns?
Among those answering this year will be Minister of Finance Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Minister of Economy & Planning Muhammad Al-Jasser, Minister of Commerce & Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Housing Shwaish Al-Duwaihi, and Abdullatif Al-Othman, governor and chairman of the board of directors at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).
Euromoney Director Richard Banks said: “Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference has its eye firmly on the Kingdom’s future. Creating sustainable efficiency in public finances and enhancing the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s financial system will be under close scrutiny. We know our findings will be vital reading for policy-makers and investors alike.”
Government spending in the Kingdom rose between 20 and 25 percent in 2011, on social programs and pledges to ailing regional economies buried by turmoil. Therefore regional policy makers pay very close attention to Saudi Arabia’s finances.
Both public and private sector players, such as lead sponsors Aseer, BNP Paribas, Gulf International Bank, HSBC and NCB, will take part in the lively discussions at the Euromoney Saudi Arabia Conference 2013, claimed to be the oldest, biggest and most influential financial conference in Saudi Arabia.
Public finance challenges to be debated at Riyadh Euromoney conference
