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Saleh Al-Rasheed is the governor of the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monshaat). Previously, Al-Rasheed was the CEO of Riyadh Airports Co. He led the privatization program for the air transport sector, as well as all services, works, assets and properties at the airport, and the digital transformation program at King Khalid International Airport. 

Al-Rasheed took over the management of the Saudi Organization for Industrial Estates and Technology Zones (MODON). 

He supervised the management and launching of several initiatives and projects to support small and medium enterprises in the industrial sector, the most important of which were launching the Finished Factories Product and Cities Oases, as well as setting up industrial incubators.

Al-Rasheed also took over the supervision of the development and operation of industrial cities whose value exceeded SR15 billion ($4 billion).

Al-Rasheed holds a master’s degree in business administration from the IMD Institute in Switzerland, also a BA in computer science and information technology from King Saud University, as well as advanced leadership degrees from IMD, MIT and Harvard.

Recently, Al-Rasheed addressed the Financial Sector Conference in Riyadh. Thousands of delegates took part, including ministers from the finance, economy and strategic ministries, and leading policymakers from capital markets and the investment and insurance industries.

During one of the sessions, he spoke about bridging the skills gap in finance and technology. There is wide recognition that an overhaul of the Saudi education system is required to provide future-proof skills. 

However, shorter-term action is required to ensure the availability of financial and tech skills in ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ, including both local and expat talent, and several local initiatives are underway.

The session also discussed: How can government and industry collaborate to fast-focus skills development?, What is the status of new initiatives such as the Finance Academy and How can ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ become the go-to destination for international finance and fintech talent?