Virtual summit to explore GCC-UK trade opportunities

The Gulf region accounts for $50.8 billion worth of business annually with the UK and the two regions are experiencing a time of advantageous trade opportunities.
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Updated 10 May 2021
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Virtual summit to explore GCC-UK trade opportunities

British government figures indicate that the UK trade with the Middle East amounts to $57.2 billion annually, with the Gulf region accounting for $50.8 billion. The two regions are experiencing a time of advantageous trade opportunities and a period of rapid growth and diversification.

With so many opportunities for bilateral trade and investment, the upcoming virtual GCC-UK Trade Summit, organized by Add Enterprise International, will bring together commercial opportunities, experts, live projects, and potential suppliers to explore and encourage trade and investment over the next decade. The event, on June 29, will include the participation of more than 40 speakers and 400 attendees.

The GCC-UK Trade Summit aims to facilitate foreign direct investment, business, and trade between the GCC and the UK, providing a platform for businesses to expand into new markets and build networks. It will present some of the most prominent projects currently underway in the GCC, providing updates and highlighting investment and cooperation opportunities.

The summit will also host insightful discussions and presentations on subjects that are most relevant to the UK and GCC business communities, delivering key insights through expert speaker panels, case studies, sectoral analysis, high-level conversations, interviews, and networking opportunities.

Delegates will hear from a lineup of industry-leading figures, interviewers, and senior management of megaprojects including: Dr. Abdel-Aziz Aluwaisheg, assistant secretary-general for political and negotiation affairs, GCC; Jay Rosen, chief financial officer of The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALA; Julian Lynn, regional head, Middle East and Asia Pacific, UK Export Finance; Alistair Gosling, advisory board member, Qiddiya; Frank Kane, senior business editor and anchor of Frankly Speaking, Arab News; Khalid Al-Zayani OBE, chairman, Bahrain British Business Forum; and Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, managing director, Dubai Industrial City.

The agenda explores important topics including the GCC economies and investment overview, investing in the UK, stimulating economic growth and development, attracting foreign investment, environmental sustainability, future economic outlooks, and regional opportunity sector developments.

It will be held virtually via a dual-language English and Arabic event platform, Malga. Delegates will be able to choose which language they attend in to ensure a seamless, engaging and successful event of collaboration, business, and networking.

Tickets are available here 

 


Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB
Updated 05 March 2026
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Saudi Awwal Bank becomes first Middle East bank to earn 7-star CinOrg innovation accreditation

Saudi Awwal Bank has become the first bank in the Middle East to receive a 7‑star Certified Innovative Organization rating from the Global Innovation Institute, the highest recognition awarded by the institute.

The accreditation marks a significant step in SAB’s innovation strategy and follows an innovation maturity assessment conducted by the institute in December 2025. The review, which built on an earlier assessment in December 2023, raised the bank’s maturity level from “Champion” to “Leader.” The new rating reflects SAB’s institutionalized approach to innovation, its enterprise-wide impact and its ability to consistently deliver measurable results.

With the 7‑star rating, SAB becomes the first bank in the region to reach the highest innovation maturity level, strengthening its position as a regional reference point for innovation-led and future-ready banking.

In 2025, the bank opened its flagship Innovation Centre and secured six internationally recognized innovation awards, along with a lab accreditation. The centre has supported SAB’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies, encourage cross-functional collaboration and reinforce its standing as a regional leader in financial innovation.

Saeed Assiri, chief innovation banking officer at SAB, said the recognition reflects years of focused work to build a sustainable innovation ecosystem.

“By investing in SAB’s culture, governance and talent, innovation enables the bank to remain future-ready,” he said. “This milestone reinforces our role in accelerating financial innovation in Saudi Arabia and delivering long-term value for our customers.”

The certification adds to SAB’s broader efforts to strengthen its innovation capabilities as the Kingdom’s banking sector continues to evolve.