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Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented transformation not witnessed since the nation first discovered oil. This transformation, which is being driven by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is called Saudi Vision 2030

The financial services industry is experiencing a seismic shift. Disruptive companies such as Uber and Airbnb have disrupted traditional businesses such as hotel chains and taxi firms with innovative technologies. In the same vein, financial technology (FinTech) startups are shaking up the financial services industry with innovative technologies that are changing how we bank, make payments, and invest.

Policy measures, such as the Saudi Arabian government's commitment to the G20 Sustainable Development Goals, are the first step towards a greener future. However, to realise these goals, businesses need to join the effort and take concrete steps to operationalise sustainability and make it a part of their day-to-day operations.

The Saudi government's Vision 2030 initiative is well underway, and businesses are starting to feel the effects of economic realignment. While many opportunities have arisen for those who are prepared, there is still a lot of work to be done for the country to reach its goals. Businesses need to start thinking about how they can realign their operations to fit into the new framework.

In the business world, due diligence is commonly used in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, where one company intends to buy another. In these cases, due diligence typically refers to the process of investigating a target company's financial and operational condition prior to the acquisition. The goal is to identify any potential problems or risks that could lessen the value of the target company or make the deal less attractive. Failure to conduct due diligence can have severe consequences, as illustrated by the Enron scandal.

Taxation in Saudi Arabia is constantly evolving as the government looks for new ways to generate revenue and promote economic development. As a country that has traditionally avoided taxation, the new Saudi tax system is still in its infancy. However, the government is committed to modernising the tax system and making it more efficient. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort towards the increased digitisation of both commercial and government interactions.

When banks raise interest rates, it affects the economy in different ways. Consumers may spend less because it costs more to borrow money, while savers may benefit from higher interest rates on their deposits. Investors may also be impacted, as higher rates can make stocks less attractive compared to bonds. All of these factors can have an impact on Saudi Arabia, both domestically and in its role as a key player in the global economy.

Sustainability has become one of the most pressing concerns of our time. The term is used to describe the need to protect and conserve our natural resources while ensuring that future generations have the same access to them. To achieve this, organisations must take a sustainable approach to their operations. This means adopting practices that minimise the impact of their activities on the environment and ensure that they can continue to operate in the long term.

Upcoming changes in Saudi Arabia are set to challenge traditional business models and mindsets. With 2030 only eight years away, the rapid changes being implemented as part of the national transformation program are only set to increase in pace and magnitude.

Saudi Arabia has the largest economy in the Arab League and the 19th largest in the world. However, reliance on oil revenues has made the Saudi economy vulnerable to fluctuations in global energy prices.

Historically, Saudi Arabia (“KSA”) has been a tax-free nation. However, in line with the government's efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependency on oil revenues, the nation has begun to introduce various forms of taxation in recent years. These new laws will further align the nation towards the government's national transformation program — Vision 2030.

As the modern business world evolves, finance functions must keep up with the changing data privacy landscape. New regulations and legislations require organizations to take a proactive stance when it comes to protecting customer data. Finance leaders need to understand why realigning their operations and strategies is important, as well as how they can do so effectively.