Riyadh – Sharikat Mubasher: The GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI) signed a partnership agreement with the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha’at) to support and empower Saudi SMEs in training and corporate governance.

Hiba Alzamil, Business Development Director at GCC Board Directors Institute (GCC BDI), told Sharikat Mubasher on the sidelines of Biban 2025 that the agreement aims to transfer the institute’s expertise, previously focused on large publicly listed companies, to small and medium enterprises. The institute provides board training programs, evaluations, and certification, in cooperation with the Financial Academy under the supervision of the Saudi Capital Market Authority.

Alzamil explained that the initiative seeks to help startups and medium-sized businesses develop in a systematic and compliant way, with governance practices embedded from early stages, enabling them to prepare for future public offerings with a strategic and structured approach.

Founded in 2007 by Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Emirates NBD, and Investcorp, GCC BDI is a leading institute specializing in developing board capabilities and corporate governance in Saudi Arabia through accredited training programs aimed at enhancing efficiency and transparency in the Kingdom’s business environment.

Organized by Monsha’at, Biban 2025 took place from 5 to 8 November in Riyadh with the theme ‘A Global Destination for Opportunities,’ bringing together startup founders, investors, global CEOs, policymakers, and thought leaders.

The forum welcomed over 200 local and global speakers and 1,000 exhibitors from 150 countries with the aim of sparking strategic partnerships, unveiling new agreements, and creating financing, training, and advisory solutions to accelerate the growth of startups and SMEs.