Saudi program for SMEs attracts 140K people

Updated 28 May 2019
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Saudi program for SMEs attracts 140K people

  • The program is one of HADAF’s initiatives to achieve goals in the Vision 2030 reform plan

RIYADH: The Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF) said 140,000 people have registered in an e-services program for entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Saudi Press Agency reported. 

The 9/10ths Program, which was launched in August 2016, offers online platforms to change the Kingdom’s work culture by promoting and supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs as well as helping to create new jobs in innovative ways.

Services provided by the online platforms are an interactive guide for entrepreneurs at all stages of their startup projects, financing solutions that serve viable enterprises, services and applications for managing, developing, and operating SMEs, and data and information that help entrepreneurs and enterprises in making important business decisions. 

The program is one of HADAF’s initiatives to achieve goals in the Vision 2030 reform plan, and the National Transformation Program 2020. Vision 2030 says that SMEs contribute only 20 percent of the Kingdom’s gross domestic product (GDP), whereas in advanced economies this contribution can reach up to 70 percent.  


Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

Updated 25 February 2026
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Saudi Cabinet reviews cooperation and agreements with other nations

  • Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs meeting and briefs ministers on his recent meeting with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
  • Cooperative efforts includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air transport

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers reviewed a number of domestic and international matters during a session in Jeddah on Tuesday chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The crown prince briefed the Cabinet on his recent meeting with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which included discussions about regional security and stability, the latest developments in the Middle East, and other topics of importance to the Arab and Islamic world, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He also shared with ministers the contents of a letter he received from the president of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

The council discussed progress in cooperative efforts involving Saudi Arabia and other countries including Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia, Cuba and Kiribati, and approved a number of memorandums of understanding.

The cooperation includes projects focusing on development and education, political consultations, environmental protection, health, investment and air-transport services, the press agency said. Ministers also approved an agreement between the Saudi General Authority for Awqaf and its Omani counterpart relating to endowments.

They reviewed national initiatives, including one for the promotion of charitable work, and the enhancement of humanitarian and developmental efforts across the country.

A merger of the National Competitiveness Center with the Saudi Center for Economic Business to create a combined Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center was authorized.