• S&P Global conference to be held in Saudi Arabian capital for the first time
• Forum to discuss ‘Economic Sustainability Through Strengthened Financial Markets’
• Symposium takes place amid plans for sweeping economic reforms in Saudi Arabia

Dubai, UAE, May 9, 2016:  S&P Global (formerly McGraw Hill Financial) will host its sixth annual Financial Leaders’ Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time. The gathering will explore the critical factors affecting business currently in Saudi Arabia and how equity and debt markets can adjust to develop, support and enable sustainable economic growth. 

The invitation-only event will see the Kingdom’s leading business leaders, global influencers and finance professionals converge on the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh on 11th of May 2016 to tackle the theme of Economic Sustainability Through Strengthened Financial Markets.

Commenting on this year’s Financial Leaders’ Forum, Stuart Anderson, Middle East Managing Director & Regional Head at S&P Global Ratings, said:

“The timing of this year’s event is particularly auspicious given Saudi Arabia is undertaking a major overhaul of its economy. Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 plan promises a number of sweeping reforms aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy and weaning Saudi Arabia off its dependency on oil.  Ensuring the effective development of Saudi Arabia’s capital markets will form an essential part of such a plan. 

“The Financial Leaders' Forum aims to facilitate dialogue on how business leaders, policy makers, investors and finance professionals can work together to tackle the challenges the Kingdom faces as it looks to move towards a more diversified, and sustainable future.”

The Forum will bring together speakers from across S&P Global's business community, including Dr. Paul Sheard, Chief Global Economist and Head of Global Economics & Research at S&P Global; David Ernsberger, Global Director, Oil at S&P Global Platts; Alex Matturri, CEO at S&P Dow Jones Indices; and Stuart Anderson, Managing Director & Regional Head Middle East at S&P Global Ratings.

Other speakers include Dr. Saleh Malaikah, Chairman, Rusd International Holding Group, Chairman, Saudi SALAMA; Abdulrahman Moulay, Partner, Transaction Advisory Services, EY Riyadh; and Gabriel Aractingi, CEO Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia.

Last week, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled his 84-page “Saudi Vision 2030” plan, to reduce the kingdom’s reliance on oil.

The Plan includes plans to sell less than 5 percent of Saudi Aramco, the creation of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund and raising non-oil revenue. The S&P Global Financial Leaders’ Forum will build on this announcement, and discuss how the Kingdom’s capital markets can be best utilized to ensure the Deputy Crown Prince’s vision is a success.