**Saudi Delegation Highlights the Kingdom’s Growing Role as an International Platform for AI, Innovation, and Investment**

**Bologna, Italy – June 30**

The Saudi Makes Future delegation concluded its participation in We Make Future (WMF) in Bologna, Italy, with strong international engagement, attracting more than 250 global and European companies to participate in the Riyadh edition of the exhibition, scheduled to be held next December.

The participation reflected growing international interest in the opportunities offered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia across artificial intelligence, digital innovation, advanced technologies, and future-focused sectors, in line with the Kingdom’s ongoing economic and digital transformation.

The Saudi delegation’s presence at WMF came as part of an international outreach strategy aimed at introducing the Riyadh edition to global markets and strengthening channels of cooperation with Europe’s business, technology, and innovation ecosystems.

During the event, the delegation held a series of meetings with specialized companies, entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives of global technology platforms. The discussions focused on presenting opportunities for participation in the Riyadh edition, exploring areas of strategic cooperation, and supporting the entry and expansion of European and international companies into the Saudi market and the wider Middle East region.

The meetings witnessed notable interest from companies operating across key technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital health, education technology, financial technology, smart manufacturing, digital transformation, data solutions, e-commerce, and digital media. The delegation also engaged with a number of startups seeking access to promising markets and strategic partnerships in the region.

The delegation further highlighted the role of **Saudi Makes Future (SMF)** as a platform that brings together companies, investors, innovators, and decision-makers under one umbrella. The exhibition provides participants with an opportunity to showcase their technologies before specialized audiences and relevant entities, while creating a practical environment for direct engagement between technology providers and beneficiary sectors within the Kingdom.

Mr. Nasser bin Saeed Al-Hajri, Chairman of the Higher Committee of Saudi Makes Future, said the delegation’s participation in WMF represented an important step in the international promotion of the Riyadh edition. He noted that attracting hundreds of global and European companies reflects increasing confidence in the Saudi market and confirms the Kingdom’s position as a key destination for companies seeking opportunities in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

“What the delegation achieved in Italy reflects the strength of the message carried by Saudi Makes Future as a Saudi platform with a global outlook. The exhibition aims to connect international companies with high-value opportunities in the Kingdom and position Riyadh as a leading destination for innovation and investment in future sectors,” Al-Hajri said.

For his part, Mr. Saud bin Hamad Al-Futaih, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the exhibition, said the delegation’s meetings focused on introducing companies to the advantages offered by the Riyadh edition, including showcasing products and technological solutions, building partnerships, accessing investors and public and private sector entities, and gaining deeper insight into the needs of the Saudi market across digital, industrial, and service sectors.

“We are keen for the exhibition to serve as a practical platform for networking and partnership-building, not merely a traditional showcase event. During our participation in Italy, we focused on attracting companies capable of adding value to the Saudi market and opening real pathways for cooperation that support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 in the digital economy and innovation,” Al-Futaih said.

In the same context, Mr. Cosmano Lombardo, Founder and CEO of Search On Media Group, said the Riyadh edition represents a distinctive experience with a Saudi identity and a global outlook. He added that the cooperation in organizing the event reflects the Kingdom’s growing importance as a promising market and an emerging regional hub for advanced technologies.

“We are not simply transferring an event; we are building an interactive platform launched from the Kingdom and directed toward the future. It opens its doors to innovators, investors, and decision-makers from around the world to explore the latest developments in artificial intelligence, technology, and innovation,” Lombardo said.

The conclusion of the Saudi delegation’s participation in WMF delivered notable results, reflecting the growing interest of European and international companies in the Saudi market. It also contributed to highlighting Riyadh as a promising destination for innovation, investment, and future technologies, while supporting wider international participation in the upcoming Riyadh edition.

This step comes amid the rapid transformation taking place in the Kingdom across technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, alongside Riyadh’s growing status as a regional and international destination for hosting major events and attracting high-value investments.

Attracting more than 250 companies serves as an indicator of the exhibition’s potential to become a practical platform for building partnerships, connecting local demand with global expertise, and enabling international companies to gain a closer understanding of the Saudi business environment.

The meetings held by the delegation on the sidelines of WMF are expected to contribute to increasing international participation in the Riyadh edition and strengthening the presence of European and global companies, in support of the Kingdom’s position as a leading center for innovation and future industries.

For more information and inquiries, please visit the official website of the exhibition:
https://www.saudimakesfuture.com/