H.E. Mohammed bin Abdullah Elkuwaiz, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), stated that funding channels in Saudi Arabia have seen significant development over the past decade, contributing to the creation of an integrated and diversified funding ecosystem that is no longer limited to traditional sources. He noted that the capital market has become a key enabler in diversifying funding options and improving its efficiency.

His remarks came during a panel discussion held as part of Funding Week, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority “Monsha’at” in collaboration with the SME Bank. The event runs from May 3 to 7, 2026, at SMEs Support Centers in Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah, as part of the Business Weeks series. It aims to enhance SMEs’ access to funding solutions and improve their readiness to benefit from them.

His Excellency explained that total funding provided through the parallel market “Nomu” since its launch in 2017 has reached approximately SAR 8 billion, reflecting the growing role of the capital market in enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to access diverse funding instruments.

He also described financing funds as modern tools that have helped diversify funding options and improve market efficiency, enabling enterprises to select the most suitable funding solutions for their different growth stages.

He pointed out that the debt market in the Kingdom has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years, reflecting the depth and development of the financial market and providing additional funding channels that support business sustainability and expansion.

His Excellency emphasized that financial awareness is a key factor in supporting the sustainability and stability of enterprises by enabling entrepreneurs to make more informed and efficient funding decisions. He also highlighted the growing national support for the SME sector, which is helping expand funding opportunities and strengthen its presence in the market in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The second day of Funding Week included several specialized sessions and meetings that discussed investment decisions in venture capital funds and explored opportunities for preparing SMEs for listing in the capital market, contributing to diversifying funding sources and enhancing their readiness for growth.

The second day concluded with Monsha’at signing a framework agreement with the Financial Academy to enhance financial literacy among entrepreneurs and SMEs. The cooperation includes joint training and awareness programs, such as organizing funding-focused boot camps, in addition to developing educational and qualification content that improves financial management capabilities within enterprises and supports their sustainability and growth, in accordance with applicable regulations in the Kingdom.

Monsha’at invited SME owners and entrepreneurs to register via the provided link to benefit from the week’s activities: https://www.monshaat.gov.sa/en/node/460497