Why do you need an accountant for your business?

Jul 2, 2024

Noha Gad

 

 

Starting and managing a business is a multifarious endeavor that requires a clear vision, hard work, and expertise in various areas. Handling the financial intricacies of a business can be overwhelming and complex, this is where the expertise of an accountant becomes indispensable.

The role of professional accountants goes beyond tax filing; they analyze your finances, create a forecast for the coming year to ensure your business is healthy and prosperous, and help you navigate financial challenges, ensure compliance, and foster growth.

 

Why do you need an accountant for your business?

Poor financial management can have severe and far-reaching effects on a business, making a direct negative impact on the sustainability and growth of your business. Owners of businesses, notably the small-sized ones, must hire a professional accountant to help them:

  1. Improve cash flow. Effective cash management includes how a company manages its operations or business activities, financial investments, and financing activities to maintain positive cash flow. Inadequate financial management can lead to cash flow issues, making it difficult to cover day-to-day expenses, pay employees, and settle debts. A good accountant will help owners have credit control and cash management policies in place so that they have all the possible funds and information available.
  2. Reduce workload. Hiring a professional accountant will empower owners to manage operations by recommending process improvements, helping them take over financial and tax obligations, and introducing them to tools that can save them time and money.
  3. Get valuable business advice. Accountants own the right skills, expertise, and tools to serve as business advisers. Leveraging their wide expertise, professional accountants can provide an unbiased sounding board for your ideas, warn you of potential risks, and alert you to great opportunities. Their network can also add value to your decisions by helping you connect with key connections that can help you implement complicated strategies and solve complex problems.
  4. Manage growth sustainability. The expertise of a good accountant will be valuable when you seek funding and create incentivizing pay packages for employees. Additionally, accountants can help you react quickly and effectively to surprising growth and turn it into an advantage.
  5. Comply with regulations and keep pace with emerging technologies. A competitive accountant helps you visualize major issues the business faces due to economic uncertainties, trend changes, and new regulations. They help you use effective financial forecasts, smart solutions, growth management tools, and predictive performance reporting to tackle these challenges.
  6. Measure business performance. Performance measurement plays a crucial role in the growth and success of your business. Setting objectives and measuring them against results can be key to determining if a business will succeed or fail. Accountants can develop performance evaluations to get your business to understand its actual performance against the objectives it set for itself, using these evaluations to achieve long-term growth and sustainability.

Finally, accountants’ expertise in financial management, tax compliance, and strategic planning provides a solid foundation for making informed decisions and fostering growth.

Entrusting your financial affairs to a professional accountant offers you the chance to focus on expanding your business while ensuring that your financial health remains robust and resilient.

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HealthTech innovations: How AI and digital tools revolutionize healthcare in Saudi Arabia

Noha Gad

 

Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), significantly transform the healthcare sector globally by improving diagnostics, treatment precision, patient monitoring, and healthcare delivery. Saudi Arabia is one of the leading countries that harnesses these technologies to modernize its healthcare system and increase accessibility. 

The Kingdom invests heavily in digital healthcare to improve efficiency and patient outcomes, potentially unlocking as much as $27 billion by 2030. This includes advancements in telemedicine, electronic health records, and other digital health technologies.

The Saudi Vision 2030 emphasizes the importance of privatization and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in driving healthcare transformation. By fostering collaboration, these approaches contribute to achieving the digital health goals outlined in Saudi Arabia's ambitious vision for the future.

The Saudi healthcare sector is witnessing unprecedented privatization, with over 290 hospitals and 2,300 health institutions transitioning into private operations. By 2030, private sector involvement is expected to grow from 25% to 35%, unlocking fresh capital inflows and efficiency improvements, according to recent insights into the Saudi healthcare market by Eurogroup Consulting.

Digital transformation continues to accelerate in Saudi Arabia, with $1.5 billion invested in telemedicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and electronic health records (EHR). These innovations are reshaping healthcare accessibility, allowing remote consultations to flourish and minimizing hospital congestion. AI-powered automation also optimizes treatment plans, improving patient outcomes and reducing administrative burdens. 

Additionally, the mental health market in the Kingdom is undergoing a remarkable transformation, triggered by a mix of government reforms, social awareness, and growing private investment. According to Eurogroup Consulting, the mental health market in Saudi Arabia is projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.23% from 2025 to 2033. This growth reflects a broader shift in the Kingdom’s healthcare priorities, where mental wellness is increasingly seen as fundamental to social stability and productivity.

 

Telemedicine innovations in Saudi Arabia

Telemedicine emerged as a vital component in transforming healthcare delivery across Saudi Arabia, enabling patients to access medical care remotely through digital platforms. This technology breaks down geographical barriers, bringing expert consultations and continuous care to rural and underserved regions, which traditionally struggled with limited healthcare infrastructure.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated telemedicine adoption by mandating remote care solutions to reduce infection risks while maintaining healthcare access. This surge highlighted telemedicine’s potential to alleviate hospital overcrowding, enhance patient convenience, and reduce healthcare costs.

A recent report released by Ken Research showed that the Saudi telemedicine market is valued at $1.2 billion, driven by the increasing adoption of digital health solutions, rising healthcare costs, and the need for accessible medical services, especially in remote areas. It highlighted that Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam dominate the telemedicine market due to their advanced healthcare infrastructure, high population density, and significant investment in health technology. 

Another report by Grand View Horizon anticipated the telemedicine market in the Kingdom to reach a projected revenue of $ 2.3 million by 2030, showing a CAGR of 18.4% between 2025 to 2030.

AI-driven telemedicine platforms in Saudi Arabia integrate AI into telehealth to enable proactive health management, optimize clinical workflows, and support early disease detection. Seha Virtual Hospital, launched by the Ministry of Health (MoH) as part of the Health Sector Transformation Program (HSTP), is a notable example. Being the first virtual hospital in the Middle East, Seha offers a full spectrum of telehealth services, including emergency and critical consultations, specialized clinics, multidisciplinary committees, supportive medical services, and home care services, empowering the best health consultants and practitioners in micro and rare specialties using the latest medical technologies.

Another example is Sanar, an MoH-licensed medical platform that offers comprehensive medical services including telemedicine consultations and home medical services. Other key players in the Saudi telemedicine sector include Cura, Vezeeta, MedIQ, Altibbi, Labayh, and more.

Overall, telemedicine innovations in Saudi Arabia focus on combining AI capabilities with digital platforms to offer accessible, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare, ultimately cementing the Kingdom’s position as a regional leader in AI-powered telemedicine and digital health solutions.

 

AI-driven diagnostics

In recent years, AI has redefined various sectors, notably healthcare. One of the most promising applications of AI is in diagnostics, where it enhances the accuracy and speed of identifying health conditions. In Saudi Arabia, AI diagnostics contribute to advancing the medical field, becoming a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s goals of diversifying the economy and improving public well-being through high-tech healthcare solutions.

With Saudi Arabia pledging massive investments in AI to improve its healthcare services, the AI diagnostics market in the Kingdom is projected to reach $204.9 million by 2030, marking a CAGR of 36.5%.

A recent study by Research and Markets indicated a favorable view of AI in healthcare among respondents in Saudi Arabia, with many disagreeing that AI diminishes the value of the medical profession. Half of the respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that AI contributes to reducing errors in medical practice.   

AI diagnostics analyze medical data more consistently and accurately to address human errors in diagnosis, which may lead to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, or even unnecessary procedures. 

AI systems can operate tirelessly and remain unaffected by fatigue or cognitive biases, which can affect even the most skilled healthcare professionals.

AI and robotics are expected to contribute over $135 billion to the national economy by 2030. AI diagnostics are vital to this transformation, aligning with the Kingdom’s strategic goals to diversify away from oil dependence and develop knowledge-based industries. 

Although AI diagnostics offers many advantages, they come with several challenges. One of the major challenges is that implementing these technologies requires substantial investments in infrastructure, including high-performance computing systems and secure data networks.

Specialized training is also required to help health care professionals work effectively alongside AI systems, while patients and providers alike must adapt to this new approach to medical care. 

Key players in the AI diagnostics sector in Saudi Arabia include SDM, a health tech startup specializing in AI-driven diagnostics for various and chronic diseases, and Nuxera AI, a Saudi-headquartered AI company that empowers doctors and healthcare providers by streamlining workflows, reducing administrative burdens, and enhancing patient care.  Another example is the Amplify AI company, which integrates AI into thermal imaging to enable fast, accessible, and objective diabetic foot screening. 

 

Mental health solutions and digital well-being tools

The Saudi mental health market is witnessing a remarkable transformation, driven by a mix of government reforms, social awareness, and growing private investment. With mental health services being considered as a vital part of national well-being, the market is anticipated to hit $8.9 billion by 2033, showing a CAGR of 5.23% from 2025 to 2033. This growth reflects the shift in the Saudi healthcare priorities, where mental wellness is increasingly seen as fundamental to social stability and productivity.

The Saudi government made significant reforms to drive this transformation and modernize the healthcare sector by integrating mental health into primary care systems, ensuring accessibility and reducing stigma. This approach promoted new regulations, awareness campaigns, and funding programs aimed at promoting mental well-being as part of the country’s holistic health agenda.

The MoH launched the ‘Innovate for your health’ initiative, in partnership with the Digital Government Authority, to raise community awareness about the importance of mental health and to improve the quality of life among youth and society as a whole.

Additionally, digital well-being tools, such as applications and interactive platforms, were designed to monitor and improve mental health by reducing digital addiction and associated risks such as anxiety and loneliness.

O7 Therapy is another notable example of mental health platforms in Saudi Arabia. it offers a network of over 180 qualified Arabic-speaking therapists, benefitting people across 110 countries. Since its inception, the platform has provided more than 60,000 therapy hours. It helps users to find the right therapist whose approach aligns with the user’s needs and preferences.

 

In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s healthcare sector is witnessing a significant transformation, backed by emerging technologies and strategic reforms under Vision 2030. The Kingdom’s heavy investments in AI, telemedicine, and digital health platforms are revolutionizing healthcare delivery by enhancing diagnostics, improving treatment precision, enabling remote access, and optimizing patient outcomes. Privatization and PPPs are pivotal in this transformation, attracting fresh capital and fostering innovation that aligns with the Kingdom’s goal of becoming a regional leader in advanced healthcare. 

Breaking into the Big Leagues: How Startups Can Sell to Corporates

Ghada Ismail

 

For many startups, landing a corporate client feels like a milestone. That moment when you go from scrappy beginnings to playing in the big leagues. It’s a sign that your idea works, your team delivers, and your brand is ready to stand alongside the giants.

But selling to corporates isn’t easy. It’s not just about having the best product or a breakthrough solution. It’s about trust, timing, and understanding how big organizations make decisions; slowly, carefully, and through layers of approval.

So, how do you step into this whole new level?

 

1. Understand the Corporate Mindset

Startups move fast, break things, and learn on the go while corporates don’t. They move through committees, compliance checks, and procurement gates. It’s not resistance to innovation; it’s rather risk management.

If you understand that, you’ll pitch differently. Corporates aren’t just buying creativity; they’re buying reliability. They want to know that working with you won’t introduce risk but instead remove it.

Show them how your solution makes their life easier: maybe it improves efficiency, reduces cost, or helps meet a strategic goal. Speak to what they value most.

 

2. Build Credibility Before You Pitch

Corporates rarely gamble on unproven startups. Before you knock on their door, make sure your reputation walks in first.

Collect small wins like pilot projects, testimonials, measurable results. Publish case studies that show your solution actually works in the real world. Even a few solid success stories can shift you from “risky startup” to “reliable partner.”

 

3. Start Small..Think Pilot Projects

When it comes to big clients, it’s often smarter to start small. A well-scoped pilot project is your best entry point.

It lets the corporate test your solution without major commitment and gives you a chance to prove value quickly. More importantly, it helps you find internal champions; people inside the company who’ve seen your results firsthand and can advocate for expanding your partnership.

 

4. Speak Their Language

Tech founders love talking about innovation, features, and performance. Corporates care about outcomes; efficiency, compliance, and return on investment.

Reframe your pitch around results. Instead of saying, “We use AI to automate processes,” say, “We cut processing time by 40%.”

Numbers and business impact speak louder than buzzwords. Keep it simple, clear, and outcome-driven.

 

5. Leverage the Right Platforms

You don’t have to break into corporates alone. Many are actively looking for startups to collaborate with — through innovation programs, accelerators, and ecosystem partnerships.

Government initiatives and national programs are designed to connect startups with large organizations. They give you access to mentorship, exposure, and opportunities to co-develop solutions that align with corporate needs.

These platforms not only open doors but also lend credibility proving that your startup is part of an ecosystem corporates already trust.

 

6. Build Relationships, Not Just Deals

Corporate sales are rarely quick wins. They’re marathons, not sprints. Deals take months, sometimes longer. But the wait pays off when it’s built on genuine relationships.

Don’t disappear between meetings. Keep in touch. Share updates about your growth, your new features, your latest achievements. Stay visible without being pushy.

Over time, these touchpoints build familiarity, and familiarity builds trust. When the timing is right, you won’t be a stranger pitching a product; you’ll be a known, credible partner.

 

7. Play the Long Game

Selling to corporates takes patience. There will be delays, revisions, and more paperwork than you ever thought possible. But once you’re in, the rewards are worth it: steady revenue, stronger credibility, and access to larger markets.

Every corporate deal you close becomes a signal to others that you can deliver at scale. It’s not just a contract; it’s a stepping stone to the next opportunity.

 

Wrapping Things Up…

Breaking into the corporate world isn’t about being the loudest startup in the room; it’s about being the most dependable, adaptable, and value-driven.

If you can combine startup agility with corporate reliability, you won’t just sell to big companies; you’ll grow with them. And that’s how small innovators become big players.

Invisible payments: seamless shopping, frictionless finance, and effortless experiences

Noha Gad

 

The global digital payments landscape is witnessing a remarkable transformation in recent years, revolutionizing the way consumers and businesses transact. Recent reports by Statista anticipated the total transaction value in the digital payments market to hit $38.07 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 13.6% between 2025 and 2030. Mobile Point-of-Sale (PoS) payments, which represent the largest share in the digital payments market, are projected to achieve a total transaction value of $12.56 trillion in 2025.

The transformation in the digital payment market mirrors the growing preference for faster, frictionless payment methods, supported by innovations in AI for fraud detection and the integration of payment technologies into everyday life. 

Within this transformative digital payment environment, invisible payments emerged as the next significant leap, allowing purchases to be billed automatically based on user behavior or context. 

 

What are invisible payments?

Invisible payments refer to transactions that happen seamlessly in the background, without requiring consumers to physically interact with a payment terminal or even consciously initiate the payment. They are designed to eliminate the traditional manual steps involved in making payments, such as clicking, entering card details, or scanning QR codes, leveraging emerging technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, AI, biometrics, and pre-registered payment accounts.

These payments offer consumers a frictionless experience, enabling them to enjoy services or purchase products without explicit payment actions at the point of sale (PoS).

 

How do invisible payments work?

Invisible payments are enabled through cutting-edge technology that links the user's payment method with specific triggers, such as location, biometric authentication, or device sensors. This swift process includes: 

  • Setup and registration. Consumers register their payment details once, often during account creation on the service platform or application.
  • Contextual triggers. Once set up, the system activates based on contextual cues such as entering a store, picking items, or starting a ride. Then, sensors, cameras, and IoT devices detect user actions or presence, while AI algorithms analyze this data in real time.
  • Authentication methods. Biometric authentication or device-based authentication is often used to confirm the user’s identity with high confidence.
  • Automatic billing. The system automatically processes the payment in the background, charging the user's pre-registered account without any further manual input.​
  • Confirmation and sending receipts. A digital receipt is sent post-transaction, providing transparency while maintaining the seamless experience

 

Benefits of invisible payments

Invisible payments offer several benefits for both consumers and businesses, ultimately enhancing the payment experience through seamless technology integration. For consumers, invisible payments offer:

-Convenience and speed. By eliminating manual entry of payment details and physical actions, invisible payments allow consumers to pay effortlessly, speeding up checkouts in retail, ride-sharing, and online shopping environments.

-Enhanced customer experience. This type of payment enables customers to enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience.

-Improved security. Invisible payments safeguard transactions and minimize errors and fraud risks by leveraging biometrics, encryption, tokenization, and automated fraud detection.

 

For businesses, invisible payments offer:

-Faster payments and improved cash flow. These payments enable businesses to receive funds quickly and manage cash flow more effectively.

-Enhanced operational efficiency. Automation reduces the manual workload around payment processing and invoicing, saving time and resources.​

-Robust relationships with suppliers. Faster and accurate payments strengthen trust and partnerships with suppliers.

 

By integrating with IoT devices, mobile applications, and wearables, invisible payments are expected to expand their reach, enabling innovations beyond subscriptions or retail checkout. This transformation will significantly redefine the way consumers interact with commerce in everyday life, making payments a fully automated and invisible part of the experience.

Technological advancements will play a crucial role in shaping the future of invisible payments. For instance, AI-powered payment orchestration will optimize authorization in real-time, enhancing approval rates and reducing friction during checkout, while biometric authentication, such as facial recognition and fingerprints, will replace passwords and PINs, offering faster, safer payments.

Finally, invisible payments are anticipated to support a borderless financial ecosystem, making cross-border transactions as seamless as domestic ones, backed by the rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and regulatory advancements.

Pant: Schneider Electric backs Saudi Green Vision with AI-Powered Energy and Sustainability Solutions

Manish Pant, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Schneider Electric

 

Manish Pant, Executive Vice President of International Operations at Schneider Electric, affirmed in exclusive statements to Sharikat Mubasher that the company’s global presence spans more than 100 countries and includes a workforce of approximately 150,000 employees. He stated that Schneider Electric’s mission is to create a positive impact by empowering individuals and organizations to achieve the optimum use of energy and resources, linking economic growth with sustainability.

 

Pant revealed that the company’s global revenues reached €19.3 billion during the first half of this year, adding that Schneider Electric allocates around 5% of its annual revenues to research and development to strengthen its innovation capabilities and ensure the sustainability of its solutions.

 

He emphasized that the Saudi market has been one of the company’s key strategic markets for over 44 years, noting that the Kingdom is taking confident strides toward a more sustainable future through resource diversification, accelerated digital transformation, and adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Pant highlighted that Saudi Arabia aims to generate 50% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, alongside major investments in carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency, afforestation, and smart cities — all of which are reshaping the Kingdom’s energy landscape to become more flexible and efficient.

 

Pant remarked that Schneider Electric is proud to be a strategic partner of the Kingdom on this journey, providing advanced digital services, AI-powered data centers, smart building systems, and climate-friendly industrial solutions that reduce emissions and enhance resource efficiency, enabling industries, cities, and households to achieve higher levels of sustainability.

 

He also revealed ambitious expansion plans for the company in Saudi Arabia, which currently serves more than 8,000 clients through a range of assets and industrial facilities. These include the Dammam factory spanning 15,000 square meters, a preparation facility in Dammam, the Riyadh factory covering 13,450 square meters, and another preparation facility in Riyadh. The company will also open a new factory at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK), covering 20,000 square meters, scheduled for inauguration in the coming period to serve both Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region.

Pant noted that the new factory has obtained the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, achieving a 34% reduction in carbon emissions and energy savings of up to 33%.

 

He further stated that Schneider Electric operates a 7,000-square-meter distribution center in Riyadh serving more than 200 local partners, as well as a research, development, and innovation center in Dhahran Techno Valley (DTV) in collaboration with Aramco. The company also has four legal entities in the Kingdom, with a localization rate exceeding 40%, and a regional training academy for the Middle East and Africa based in Riyadh.

 

Pant added that Schneider Electric has invested more than €50 million in its expansion plans in Saudi Arabia over the past five years and currently employs 700 people in the Kingdom. He highlighted that eight new products have recently earned the “Made in Saudi” mark, bringing the total number of locally manufactured products to over 20, with plans to increase production lines to 32 by 2030. The company also aims to export up to 20% of local production to regional markets, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a central industrial hub.

 

Regarding the Schneider Electric Innovation Summit, held recently in Riyadh in its second edition, Pant said the event serves as a leading platform to showcase the latest solutions in electric mobility, resilient infrastructure, smart buildings, advanced industries, and water resources management. He noted that hosting the summit again in Riyadh reflects the Kingdom’s leadership in energy transition, digital innovation, and sustainable development.

 

Pant added that the summit highlights innovation and digitalization as key drivers of Saudi Arabia’s goals for economic diversification, industrial growth, and global competitiveness. He concluded by affirming that technology and innovation are two core pillars of Schneider Electric’s strategy in Saudi Arabia and globally. Integrating AI- and IoT-based digital solutions, he said, enables the Kingdom to build more efficient and sustainable systems across cities, industries, and homes alike. Pant noted that the company’s achievements in Saudi Arabia have strengthened its standing as one of the world’s most globally integrated yet locally rooted companies. Saudi experiences, he added, contribute to developing globally scalable solutions and position the Kingdom as a role model to follow for innovation and sustainability.

Al-Saadoun: Tarmeez Capital facilitates over SAR 2 bn in lending programs in 15 months

Kholoud Hussein

 

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its journey toward Vision 2030, fintech innovation has emerged as a critical driver in reshaping access to capital, democratizing investment, and strengthening the Kingdom’s financial sector. With sukuk issuance reaching record levels and digital platforms reducing barriers for both corporates and individual investors, the ecosystem for Islamic finance is undergoing a profound transformation.

Within this evolving landscape, Tarmeez Capital has positioned itself as a frontrunner. Licensed by the Capital Market Authority and founded in 2022, the Saudi fintech is redefining how businesses—from large corporates to SMEs—secure financing. By leveraging technology to issue sukuk faster, more transparently, and in full compliance with Shariah principles, Tarmeez Capital bridges a critical gap in the Kingdom’s corporate debt market.

In this exclusive interview with Sharikat Mubasher, Nasser Al-Saadoun, Founder and CEO of Tarmeez Capital, sheds light on its business model, the impact it is making on companies and investors, and its role in enabling Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global hub for Islamic and sustainable finance.

 

Please can you give us an overview of Tarmeez Capital. What is your business model, and when was it founded? 

We are a Saudi-based fintech company licensed by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), reshaping access to finance in Saudi Arabia through fast, inclusive, and fully Shariah-compliant solutions. We founded Tarmeez Capital in 2022 with a clear purpose: to close the financing gap facing many businesses by connecting growing companies with the capital they need to thrive. We issue sukuk to fund enterprises across the Kingdom and operate a pioneering, people-first digital platform that seamlessly enables purpose-driven investors to participate in these issuances. 

Our technology enables sukuk issuance up to seven times faster than traditional channels, allowing companies to secure funding in as little as 10 days with repayment terms up to 10 years. We have facilitated over SAR 2 billion in lending programs, achieved a 459 percent increase in sukuk issuances over the last 15 months, and built a community of over 180,000 retail and institutional investors.

 

Which type of companies does Tarmeez Capital provide Islamic financing to? How do you select your portfolio to lend to? 

Tarmeez Capital supports companies across sectors, from established corporates like Red Bull Mobile and Red Sea International to SMEs. Our portfolio selection is guided by rigorous credit screening powered by AI-driven data analytics, our Shariah committee’s oversight, and a focus on businesses that contribute to Vision 2030 goals. We have a zero percent default rate, reflecting our robust due diligence and the quality of our portfolio.

 

What are the benefits for your users (companies seeking financing & institutional investors)? 

Traditional sukuk issuance often takes months and is limited to large corporations. With Tarmeez Capital, companies of all sizes can receive tailored, fast, and ethical capital - allowing them to seize growth opportunities. This year, Red Sea International, for example, used our sukuk offering to avoid costly project delays with rapid funding that kept engineers and factory teams on schedule. 


Through our digital platform, our investor community can gain access to transparent, Shariah-compliant returns of around 13.5 percent annually, compared to 7.3 percent for real estate and 8.5 percent for stocks. Our real-time digital dashboards and low minimum investments enable anyone to support transformative projects with ethical impact.

 

How does Tarmeez Capital position itself within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving corporate debt landscape, especially under Vision 2030?

We bridge a critical gap by digitizing sukuk issuance for companies of different sizes. There is a clear demand in the Kingdom for fast, digital, and value-driven funding. Our seamless digital process positions us perfectly amongst Saudi Arabia, tech-savvy population. We focus on advancing funding for sectors such as healthcare, logistics, and education, etc.– all of which are aligned with Vision 2030. Our business model also supports SMEs, which are projected to contribute 35 percent of total GDP by 2030.  

 

What role do fintechs such as Tarmeez Capital play in broadening access to capital markets and investment opportunities? 

Fintechs like Tarmeez Capital make Shariah-compliant finance accessible to more Saudi businesses and individual investors alike. Our digital investment platform has been built to reduce the cost, complexity, and friction traditionally associated with debt capital markets. Our focus on creating a streamlined, user-friendly experience has contributed to the impressive growth of our investor community to date, a trend that we anticipate continuing.

Our platform empowers investors to invest small amounts into sukuk that back local companies. For example, people can now support projects like RASF’s Deem townhouses or Qudra’s solar rollout. This democratization of capital fuels entrepreneurship, spreads wealth creation, and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s Financial Sector Development goals.

 

Saudi Arabia is rapidly positioning itself as a global hub for Islamic finance, driven by accelerating sukuk issuance. How do you see this sector expanding in the next 5 – 10 years, and what role will Tarmeez Capital have? 

We expect Saudi Arabia’s sukuk market to continue its rapid growth. Global sukuk issuances reached USD 199 billion in 2023 and show no sign of slowing. Tarmeez Capital will play a central role in this transformation by making Shariah-compliant financing faster, more accessible, and more transparent for corporates and investors alike. Our tech-driven scalability and proven track record, including the lowest default rate among comparable private debt platforms in Saudi, position us as a national leader and partner of choice as the sector matures.

More broadly, we see Islamic finance moving firmly into the mainstream. Younger investors are seeking ethical, impact-oriented investments that reflect their values while delivering competitive returns. Islamic finance, built on principles of justice, risk-sharing, transparency, and social responsibility, is perfectly aligned with this shift. Unlike conventional debt, it prohibits interest (Riba) and emphasizes asset-backed, productive investment, making it inherently transparent, value-driven, and sustainable.

Saudi Arabia is set to become a global hub for Islamic and sustainable finance, issuing billions in ESG-linked sukuk and leveraging its Vision 2030 ambitions for inclusive, long-term growth. Platforms like Tarmeez enable everyday citizens to invest ethically, help finance the development of their communities, and support a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits everyone.

 

In a region where regulatory dynamics are evolving quickly, especially for technology, how do you assess and manage regulatory risk?

Compliance is incredibly important. Our independent Shariah committee and close partnership with the Capital Market Authority help ensure we always meet the highest standards. Beyond regulation, we also use data and advanced AI to monitor the health of every investment, so that we can detect potential risks early and manage them carefully. This thorough approach allows us to grow sustainably and responsibly.

 

Many startups struggle to scale beyond the early-growth phase. Are there any patterns you have observed that block Saudi startups from becoming regional or global players?

A recurring challenge is facilitating access to capital that matches the vast ambitions of our most exciting startups. Too often, high-potential companies are held back by the rigidity of traditional lending. However, fintechs such as Tarmeez Capital enable companies to grow with the speed and flexibility they need to succeed regionally and globally.

 

Looking ahead over the next 3 - 5 years, what role do you see Tarmeez Capital playing in shaping the MENA innovation ecosystem?

We see ourselves becoming a vital catalyst for Shariah-compliant investing and capital raising in the region, and expanding our platform’s reach through smarter infrastructure, new products, and better user experiences. Our ambition is to continue to support founders in securing funding quickly and ethically, unlocking new ventures and supporting economic growth. 

We aim to grow Tarmeez Capital’s investor community, creating a powerful and self-sustaining cycle of growth, opportunity, and shared success. 

 

Finally, what advice would you give to Saudi companies that are looking for alternative forms of financing? 

Our advice is simple. Explore forms of accessing finance outside of the conventional channels. Innovative, Shariah-compliant solutions like Tarmeez Capital offer speed, flexibility, and alignment with your values. Whether you are rolling out solar power across commercial properties like Qudra Energy or delivering affordable homes like RASF Real Estate, this is your moment to embrace a new path to financing that will help you grow and contribute to the future of the Kingdom. Choosing providers who understand the local market and comply fully with Islamic principles will ensure financing that is both responsible and sustainable, setting businesses on a path to long-term success.

 

Throughout the discussion, Tarmeez Capital emphasized its mission of making Shariah-compliant financing faster, more inclusive, and more impactful for both businesses and investors. By digitizing sukuk issuance, expanding access to ethical investment opportunities, and ensuring robust compliance, the company is reshaping the role of fintech in Saudi Arabia’s financial sector. As the Kingdom positions itself as a global hub for Islamic finance, Tarmeez Capital aims to serve as both a catalyst and partner—empowering companies to grow responsibly while giving investors the tools to align financial returns with ethical values.