Biban Forum 2025 concludes with over $10bn in agreements 

The forum attracted more than 100,000 visitors and generated agreements exceeding SR38 billion ($10 billion). SPA
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Updated 09 November 2025
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Biban Forum 2025 concludes with over $10bn in agreements 

RIYADH: The Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, or Monsha’at, concluded the Biban Forum 2025, held over four days under the theme “Global Destination for Opportunities.” 

The forum attracted more than 100,000 visitors and generated agreements exceeding SR38 billion ($10 billion). 

On the first day, 21 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, launching initiatives worth over SR22.3 billion to support entrepreneurship. The second day featured 22 additional agreements and five initiatives aimed at empowering small and medium enterprises. 

The third day included 11 agreements, with launches exceeding SR7.6 billion to finance entrepreneurial projects, while the final day saw four cooperation agreements and initiatives valued at nearly SR8.1 billion.  

Monsha’at also honored the top five entrepreneurial universities in the Kingdom, along with winners of the event competitions and key financing entities for 2024.

The forum included agreements with organizations from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, India, Sweden, and France, aimed at fostering international cooperation and investment. 

More than 200 local and international speakers participated in discussions on artificial intelligence, sustainability, and finance, with attendees engaging in over 80 workshops, 2,150 consultations, and 1,000 mentorship sessions. 

The Biban Forum is one of the largest entrepreneurial platforms in the Kingdom, focused on empowering entrepreneurs, supporting SMEs, and enhancing national economic competitiveness.  

Since its inception, the forum has served as a key meeting point for entrepreneurs, investors, decision-makers, and enabling entities, featuring programs that address all aspects of the entrepreneurial journey, from establishment to growth. 


Saudi economy grows 4.5% in 2025 as oil, non-oil sectors accelerate 

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Saudi economy grows 4.5% in 2025 as oil, non-oil sectors accelerate 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product expanded by 4.5 percent year on year in 2025, driven by strong growth in both oil and non-energy activities, official data showed. 

According to flash estimates released by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Statistics, oil activities in the Kingdom expanded by 5.6 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, while non-oil operations and government activities rose by 4.9 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively, during the same period. 

The latest report aligns with an October outlook from the International Monetary Fund, which projected Saudi Arabia’s GDP would grow by 4 percent in both 2025 and 2026. 

Earlier this month, the World Bank forecast that the Kingdom’s GDP is projected to expand by 4.3 percent in 2026 and 4.4 percent in 2027, up from an expected 3.8 percent in 2025. 

“The main driver of real GDP growth in 2025 was non-oil activities, which contributed 2.7 percentage points, while oil activities with 1.4 pp, government activities at 0.1 pp and net taxes on products at 0.2 pp, also contributed positively,” said GASTAT.  

Momentum accelerated toward year-end. Real GDP expanded 4.9 percent in the fourth quarter from a year earlier, led by a 10.4 percent surge in oil activities, while non-oil sectors grew 4.1 percent. Government activities contracted 1.2 percent on an annual basis in the quarter. 

“The main driver of growth in real GDP of the fourth quarter of 2025 was oil activities, which contributed 2.5 pp, non-oil activities contributed 2.3 pp and net taxes on products contributed 0.2 pp, while government activities had a negative contribution of 0.2 pp,” added the authority.  

Saudi Arabia’s seasonally adjusted real GDP recorded growth of 1.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared to the previous three months.  

In the fourth quarter, oil activities witnessed a quarter-on-quarter growth of 1.4 percent, while non-oil activities expanded by 1.3 percent during the same period.  

Government activities, however, recorded a decline of 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter compared to the previous three months.  

Earlier this month, a separate analysis by Standard Chartered said the Kingdom’s GDP is expected to expand by 4.5 percent in 2026, outperforming the global growth average of 3.4 percent, driven by sustained momentum in both hydrocarbon and non-oil sectors.