6 & 7
September
2021
2PM
(Saudi Arabia)
GMT+3
Virtual Event

Why attend

SMEs are a major source of new job creation in emerging and developing countries. In the MENA region, it is estimated that micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for 80–90 percent of all businesses. However, despite their systemic importance, SMEs continue to face major challenges when it comes to access to finance. Lack of credit information and lack of collateral are just two of the many reasons why financial institutions are less exposed to SMEs than to larger and more established firms.  


COVID-19 has made the situation much worse for the region’s SMEs. The pandemic poses challenges of a scope and scale unprecedented in modern times. Millions of businesses are closed, countless jobs have been lost. The hardest hit are SMEs in the tourism and entertainment industries; which have been battered by lockdowns and travel restrictions. In response to the crisis, many governments across the region have scaled up credit guarantee schemes to tackle the urgent liquidity problem faced by SMEs and to stimulate economic recovery through rebuilding the SME sector.
In partnership with the SME Finance Forum, Small & Medium Enterprises Loan Guarantee “Kafalah” is hosting the 5th International MENA Guarantee Conference 2021 on the role of credit guarantee schemes in rebuilding the SMEs post-COVID-19.

The conference will convene leading credit guarantee experts and practitioners from the MENA region and beyond, alongside SME finance specialists and industry professionals. 

The conference will take place on September 6-7 2021. During the two half-day event we will discuss how credit guarantee schemes can meet those challenges and contribute to rebuilding SMEs post-COVID-19. More specifically, Individual sessions will tackle alternative data, early-stage financing, and equity guarantees, the digitization of credit guarantee institutions, and the specific challenges of funding for sectors especially affected by the pandemic: including tourism, supply chains, and technology.  

COVID-19 Mitigation
Hear from industry leaders
Acquire new knowledge
Schedule

All times expressed in KSA time

Arabic and French simultaneous translation available!

Filter By

September 6

Opening Remarks

Online
  • Tourism
  • Plenary
September 6

Keynote Speech: The Impact of COVID and the Role of the Guarantee Programs

Online
  • Credit Guarantees
  • Opening Remarks
  • Fireside Chat
September 6

Plenary: Digitalization and Its Impact on Credit Guarantee Institutions

Online
  • Digitalization
  • Plenary
September 6

Break

  • Break
September 6

Welcome Remarks

Online
September 6

Can Alternative Data Transform SME Finance?

Online
  • Alternative Data
  • Breakout Session
September 6

The Future of Early-Stage Finance and Equity Guarantees

Online
  • Early-Stage Finance
  • Equity Guarantees
  • Breakout Session
September 6

Closing Remarks

Online
  • Credit Guarantees
  • Closing
September 7

Recap and Day Ahead

Online
  • Credit Guarantees
  • Opening Remarks
September 7

Plenary: Beyond Stimulus, Forbearance, and Deferment: What’s Next?

Online
  • Forbearance
  • Plenary
September 7

Break

Online
  • Credit Guarantees
  • Break
September 7

Credit Guarantees in Reviving the Tourism and Entertainment Sector

Online
  • Tourism
  • Breakout Session
September 7

Supply Chain Finance: The Role of Guarantee Institutions

Online
  • Supply Chain Finance
  • Breakout Session
September 7

Final Closing Remarks

Online
  • Credit Guarantees
  • Event Closing

Welcome Remarks

Online

Plenary: Digitalization and Its Impact on Credit Guarantee Institutions

Online

Final Closing Remarks

Online

Supply Chain Finance: The Role of Guarantee Institutions

Online

Credit Guarantees in Reviving the Tourism and Entertainment Sector

Online

Break

Online

Plenary: Beyond Stimulus, Forbearance, and Deferment: What’s Next?

Online

Recap and Day Ahead

Online

Closing Remarks

Online

The Future of Early-Stage Finance and Equity Guarantees

Online

Can Alternative Data Transform SME Finance?

Online

Break

Keynote Speech: The Impact of COVID and the Role of the Guarantee Programs

Online

Opening Remarks

Online
Speakers
Testimonials

“The outcome from the Forum was great in Saudi and the region. We need to capitalize on the knowledge and experience shared in the panel and conference to the benefit of the SME and loan guarantee programs.”

Homan Hashem - General Manager of Kafalah – SME Loan Guarantee Program

“I have really enjoyed listening to the realistic practices coming from exceptional practitioners & confirming number of interesting features in the guarantee industry that may be were overlooked earlier. “

Nagla Bahr - Managing Director - Credit Guarantee Company Egypt

“Highly appreciated, your unwavering efforts for SME globally. It will bring in real momentum in global economy, Matt and IFC team.”

Naresh Kumar Singh - Director of Internal Audit Office at Phongsavanh Bank

Organizers
Who's Attending the Conference