Saudi Arabia is becoming more than a market for technology companies, offering a base to test, refine and scale products for regional and global markets, according to French entrepreneur and investor Julie Barbier.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Barbier, founder and CEO of Merit, pointed to the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure, available capital, fast execution and broad customer base as key advantages for technology businesses. She said the economic transformation linked to Vision 2030 has accelerated changes across finance, tourism, transport, commerce, logistics and government services.
Merit, which selected Riyadh as its regional headquarters, uses the Saudi market to access customers and partners while developing and testing products before international expansion. The company operates across about eight offices and has employees from 24 nationalities.
Barbier said Merit’s Saudi team records 59% higher performance on the company’s internal innovation measure and produces around eight innovation initiatives each week. She attributed this activity to an environment that encourages experimentation, faster decision-making and larger ambitions.
She also said Saudi women are increasingly active as founders, executives, investors and decision-makers. The next priority, she argued, is helping more founders scale through greater access to capital, mentorship and international networks.
Source: Asharq Al-Awsat
