The Saudi Makes Future (SMF) exhibition delegation successfully attracted more than 250 international and European companies to participate in the upcoming Riyadh edition of the exhibition, scheduled for December 2026, during its participation in We Make Future (WMF) in Italy. The achievement reflects growing international interest in Saudi Arabia’s expanding investment opportunities across artificial intelligence, digital innovation and emerging technologies.
The Saudi delegation’s participation formed part of an international outreach strategy aimed at promoting the Riyadh edition of the exhibition and strengthening collaboration with Europe’s innovation and business ecosystems. Throughout WMF, the delegation held a series of meetings with technology companies, entrepreneurs, investors and representatives of global innovation platforms to showcase participation opportunities and explore partnerships that would support the expansion of European and international businesses into Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
The meetings attracted companies operating across a wide range of sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital healthcare, EdTech, fintech, smart manufacturing, digital transformation, data solutions, e-commerce and digital media, alongside innovative startups seeking strategic partnerships and growth opportunities in the Middle East.
The delegation also presented Saudi Makes Future (SMF) as a premier platform that brings together technology companies, investors and decision-makers under one roof, providing participants with the opportunity to showcase cutting-edge solutions to specialized audiences while facilitating direct engagement with government entities, private-sector organizations and potential partners across the Kingdom.
Nasser bin Saeed Al Hajri, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Saudi Makes Future, described the participation at WMF as a key milestone in the exhibition’s international promotion strategy.
“Attracting hundreds of international and European companies demonstrates the growing confidence in the Saudi market and confirms that the Kingdom has become a leading destination for businesses seeking genuine opportunities in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies,” Al Hajri said.
He added: “The achievements of our delegation in Italy reflect the strength of Saudi Makes Future’s vision as a Saudi platform with a global outlook, connecting international companies with high-value opportunities in the Kingdom while positioning Riyadh as a leading destination for innovation and investment in future industries.”
For his part, Saud bin Hamad Al Futaih, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said the delegation focused on introducing companies to the advantages of participating in the Riyadh edition, including opportunities to showcase innovative technologies, establish strategic partnerships, engage with investors and public and private sector stakeholders, and better understand the needs of the Saudi market across digital, industrial and service sectors.
“Our objective is to make the exhibition a practical platform for collaboration and partnership-building rather than a conventional trade show. During our participation in Italy, we focused on attracting companies capable of delivering real added value to the Saudi market while supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in digital transformation and innovation,” Al Futaih said.
Meanwhile, Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group, said the Riyadh edition represents a unique experience combining Saudi identity with a global vision.
“We are not simply exporting an event—we are building an interactive platform rooted in Saudi Arabia and focused on the future. It will bring together innovators, investors and decision-makers from around the world to explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence, technology and innovation,” Lombardo said.
The Saudi delegation concluded its participation at WMF with strong results, highlighting the increasing interest of European and international companies in the Saudi market while reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a promising destination for innovation, investment and future technologies. The participation is expected to significantly increase international engagement in the Riyadh edition of Saudi Makes Future and further strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a rapidly emerging global hub for innovation.
The initiative comes amid the Kingdom’s accelerating transformation in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies and the digital economy, as Riyadh continues to establish itself as a leading regional and international destination for major technology events and high-value investments.
The strong response from international companies also demonstrates the exhibition’s ability to evolve into a practical platform for strategic partnerships by connecting local market demand with global expertise and providing international businesses with direct access to Saudi Arabia’s dynamic business environment.
The meetings held during WMF are expected to substantially expand international participation in the Riyadh edition and enhance the presence of leading European and global technology companies, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to become a global center for innovation and future industries.
For more information, please visit the official exhibition website:
Source: Riyadh Daily