Riyadh - Exclusive Sharikat Mubasher: Saudi Arabia successfully gathered global investors at Biban 2024, the premier forum for entrepreneurs and startups, driven by its leading position as a global investment hub.

In an interview with Sharikat Mubasher, FIFA World Player Luís Figo stated that Biban 2024 represents “a huge opportunity for all startups to show what they are doing in different sectors."

He highlighted the crucial role of Biban 2024 in connecting startups with investors to help them achieve their goals.

When asked about the possibility of launching the Figo Football Academy in Saudi Arabia, Figo said: “In the future, I would love to have that chance because I have some academies in China that work very well to promote football and help kids follow their dreams.”

Co-founded by Winning League and Figo, Figo Football Academy provides bilingual football education for the development of young players, with training facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Erdos, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Dalian, Shenzhen, and more.

Further, Figo praised the Saudi government’s efforts to inject a lot of investments into Saudi football and bring several names and top players.

He noted that these efforts would add to the success and increase the value of the Saudi league every year.

Biban 2024, organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at), takes place in Riyadh from 5 to 9 November, with the participation of more than 1,350 local and international exhibitors, over 250 speakers, and more than 150 enablement entities from around the world.

It targets creating a stimulating environment, raising administrative, financial, and technical competencies, and motivating the owners of ideas to launch their projects by allowing them to meet with local and global experts and share knowledge with key decision-makers and investors.

Throughout five days, Biban 2024 is expected to provide 10,000 investment and entrepreneurial opportunities, 420 workshops for over 19,000 beneficiaries, and consultation and guidance sessions for more than 5,000 beneficiaries.