Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: The latest Future of Trade report released by Standard Chartered, titled Navigating an Age of Structural Uncertainty’, found that two-thirds of Saudi businesses see AI and advanced analytics as a key transformational force for advancing trade.

According to the official statement released today, the study surveyed 2,100 senior corporate decision-makers across 27 markets. It revealed that Saudi businesses assign greater importance than the global average to all five technology trends assessed.

Cloud infrastructure and data integration lead at 76%, compared with 70% globally, followed by AI and advanced analytics at 64%. Automation and robotics are identified by 63% of respondents, compared with 52% globally, while 57% cite digital trade platforms and ecosystems and 55% cite blockchain and digital assets.

90% of Saudi businesses report early-stage or mature implementation of cybersecurity and risk management, compared with 84% globally. Additionally, automated payments and collections have reached early-stage or mature implementation among 77% of respondents, while the corresponding figure for real-time cash visibility is 70%. 

Syed Zaeem, managing director and head of trade and transactional banking for the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa at Standard Chartered, commented: “Saudi businesses are placing technology at the centre of their trade strategies. The strong emphasis on artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and automation reflects a clear focus on improving decision-making, increasing efficiency and building the capabilities required to compete across international markets. As trade becomes increasingly digital, these investments will help businesses respond faster and capture opportunities across global growth corridors.”

Looking ahead, respondents remained focused on strengthening the digital infrastructure supporting trade, with 57% of Saudi businesses planning to invest in digital supply chain finance platforms over the next three to five years.