At a time when global trade is being reshaped by geopolitical competition, supply-chain realignment, and rising protectionism, Saudi Arabia is moving assertively to reposition itself in the global economic order.  

The inaugural Saudi EXIM Global Partner Forum 2025, held in Riyadh under the patronage of Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef, offered a vivid glimpse of that transformation.  

Far from being another technical conference on export financing, the forum signaled the Kingdom’s ambition to become an indispensable node in the world’s evolving trade architecture. 

Saudi EXIM Bank used the gathering to make a strategic argument: as new trade corridors emerge and financing needs intensify, Saudi Arabia intends to be a hub where these shifts converge. This is no longer a theoretical vision tied to policy documents. It is increasingly reflected in the scale of Saudi EXIM’s portfolio, the breadth of its partnerships, and the confidence with which the Kingdom is entering global trade discussions. 

The forum brought together more than 300 participants from over 70 countries, alongside 40 speakers representing export–import banks, government agencies, global financial institutions, development organizations, and multinational companies. Their presence reinforced an important point: the world is beginning to view Riyadh not only as an energy capital, but as a convening power in trade finance and commercial diplomacy. 

Conversations across the two-day event gravitated toward the future of export financing, the resilience of supply chains, and the role of innovation in bridging capital with opportunity. These are not abstract themes; they reflect the pressures many economies face today. Fragmented supply routes, financing gaps for emerging markets, and the complexities of green transition all demand new models of trade support. Saudi EXIM seems intent on positioning itself at the forefront of these shifts. 

Its growing track record supports that ambition. Since its establishment in 2020, the bank has deployed SR101.34 billion ($27.02 billion) in credit facilities—an impressive scale for a young institution.  

The distribution of these facilities across key sectors such as industry, mining, petrochemicals, chemicals, and financial services demonstrates the bank’s intention not only to support existing exporters but to shape the direction of future growth.  

Insurance facilities have extended the bank’s reach into 150 global markets, enabling Saudi companies to enter or expand in destinations ranging from the UAE and Iraq to India, Switzerland, and Turkiye. 

A notable milestone was the bank’s A+ credit rating from Fitch with a stable outlook—an achievement that strengthens Saudi EXIM’s credibility with international partners.  

The launch of the Jusoor Initiative, designed to help manufacturers access financing for imported raw materials intended for re-export, also reflects a nuanced understanding of how global value chains operate. Rather than focusing solely on finished products, the initiative recognizes the importance of supporting upstream processes and industrial resilience. 

Moderating the panel on “Opportunities in the Saudi Economy” alongside Abdullah Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Richard Hodder of Citi, and Abdulrahman Aleissa from Saudi EXIM reinforced for me how rapidly perceptions of the Kingdom are changing.  

Global financial institutions increasingly view Saudi Arabia not only as a source of capital but as a partner capable of shaping trade flows, financing models, and cross-border industrial partnerships. 

This evolution is grounded in broader economic progress. Non-oil revenues have risen from SR166 billion in 2016 to SR382.7 billion by Q3 2025, a shift that reflects more than statistical improvement. It signals the emergence of an export ecosystem being built deliberately and systematically.  

With non-oil GDP now accounting for 56 percent of the Kingdom’s economy, Saudi Arabia is beginning to deliver on the diversification promise at the heart of Vision 2030. 

Ultimately, the significance of the Saudi EXIM Global Partner Forum extends beyond the deals discussed or the partnerships highlighted. It represents a country shaping its global economic identity. Saudi Arabia is no longer positioning itself merely as an exporter of commodities or a destination for foreign capital. It is striving to be a platform—a place where global trade conversations happen, where financing meets innovation, and where emerging-market exporters find pathways into the world. 

If Saudi EXIM maintains this trajectory, the bank may become one of the most influential engines of the Kingdom’s economic transformation. The forum was an early milestone in that journey, but an important one: it made clear that Saudi Arabia intends not just to participate in the global trading system — but to help define its future. 

  • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst.