In a significant move to strengthen the kingdom’s entrepreneurial landscape, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority (Monsha’at) has launched the second edition of the “Estrdad” initiative, pledging SAR1.5bn in government fee refunds to support startups during their formative first three years.

The initiative is designed to stimulate a thriving business environment, bolster the sustainability and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and aligns closely with the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of building a diverse and prosperous national economy. It reflects the kingdom’s wise leadership commitment to nurturing a supportive ecosystem for SMEs, which are seen as vital engines for economic growth and job creation, a Saudi Press Agency report.

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Starting from the launch date and running through 2026, SMEs can register for the program, with financial disbursements beginning as soon as they qualify and continuing until the end of 2028. This phased approach aims to provide ongoing financial stability and enable startups to focus on scaling their operations.

The initiative refunds fees across 10 key categories, including a substantial 80 per cent of expatriate fees, costs related to publishing articles of association, commercial registrations, municipality licenses, subscriptions to Saudi Post and chambers of commerce, trademark registration, and economic activity licenses. This edition also introduces patent registration refunds, encouraging innovation and invention among national enterprises.

To qualify, applicants must be classified as micro, small, or medium enterprises, have been in business for no longer than three years, and must have officially started operations on or after January 1, 2024. The registration of the first employee marks the business start date. Companies must comply with localisation requirements set by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and ownership must be predominantly Saudi, with at least 60 per cent ownership held by Saudi individuals or SMEs. Exceptions apply only to specific activities outlined on the initiative’s website: Estrdad.monshaat.gov.sa.

The initiative is fully digitised, offering a streamlined experience for verifying eligibility and processing refunds efficiently. This reflects Saudi Arabia’s broader digital transformation goals and its commitment to enhancing government services to better support entrepreneurship.

Ministry of Commerce opens doors for National Day discount licenses

Complementing this economic push, the Ministry of Commerce has announced that applications are now open for the 95th National Day seasonal discount licenses, targeting retail establishments and e-commerce businesses. Through a fully electronic system accessible at https://sales.mc.gov.sa/, merchants can easily apply, obtain, and display their licenses, preparing for the upcoming discount period from September 16 to 30.

This seasonal discount initiative offers businesses a unique opportunity to attract consumers with special promotions, without affecting their annual discount quota. Shoppers are empowered to verify the authenticity of these discounts by scanning a unified QR code printed on each license, providing transparent details about the discount type, percentage, duration, and participating store.

Ensuring a fair marketplace, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed that inspection campaigns will continue across all regions of the Kingdom during this period to monitor compliance with discount regulations, both in physical stores and online platforms.

Driving growth and confidence: Saudi Arabia’s dual approach

Together, these initiatives underscore Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts to fuel economic growth by simultaneously supporting SMEs and enhancing consumer confidence during major shopping events. The Estrdad initiative directly addresses financial barriers for startups, while the National Day discount program encourages vibrant retail activity, stimulating both supply and demand in the economy.

A spokesperson from Monsha’at emphasised, “The Estrdad initiative is designed to provide tangible support to emerging enterprises, reflecting the wise leadership’s vision of a diversified economy under Saudi Vision 2030.”

Echoing this sentiment, the Ministry of Commerce stated, “Our goal is to facilitate a seamless shopping experience during the National Day celebrations while ensuring transparency and compliance through robust regulatory oversight.”

Together, these measures illustrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to economic diversification, innovation, and a marketplace where entrepreneurs and consumers thrive side by side.

This September, Dubai becomes the meeting point for global leaders shaping the future of digital health at WHX Tech — where innovation, investment, and collaboration come together. Taking place from 8–10 September 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the meeting is expected to draw more than 5,000 professionals, 300 brands and 200 speakers.

It comes at a time when healthcare systems globally are grappling with rising costs, ageing populations and growing demand for more personalised care.

The inaugural event is being held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Health, Emirates Drug Establishment and Emirates Health Services, in partnership with HIMSS.

Sessions will explore developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, telehealth and health data. According to Solenne Singer, vice president – healthcare at Informa Markets, WHX Tech reflects “the global demand for innovation hubs that accelerate the adoption of digital health solutions.”

A more structured approach to networking

Beyond panels and product demos, WHX Tech introduces the Connections Programme: a curated initiative designed to make networking more purposeful.

Through pre-arranged one-to-one meetings and tailored introductions, exhibitors will connect directly with healthcare decision-makers. Instead of unfocused conversations, the programme ensures that solution providers meet buyers with clear needs and purchasing authority — turning time at WHX Tech into real opportunities.

Who it’s designed for

The Connections Programme targets two groups. For healthcare providers and buyers, it offers access to new technologies and partners in areas such as diagnostics, digital health and medtech.

For solution providers, it presents an opportunity to meet organisations with genuine interest in adopting or investing in innovation.

To take part, buyers must meet certain criteria — including working with a recognised healthcare provider, having decision-making responsibility, and being in active need of new solutions or partnerships.

This vetting process, organisers say, is intended to ensure that meetings are relevant and valuable for both sides.

Broader context

The initiative sits within a wider agenda of positioning Dubai as a hub for digital health.

WHX Tech is aligned with the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 and supports global priorities such as the World Health Organization’s digital health goals.

By convening stakeholders across government, healthcare and technology, the event aims to highlight practical pathways for deploying innovation at scale.

As Alain Bernard Labrique, director of digital health & innovation at the World Health Organization, has observed: “The ecosystem is the key for success of the innovation and growth in digital health.”

The Connections Programme reflects that principle, providing a more structured framework for the collaborations that underpin sector progress.

• To learn more about the Connections Programme, click here: https://www.worldhealthexpo.com/events/healthcare/tech/en/whats-on/features/connections-programme.html

OpenAI said it will introduce parental controls for its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, aiming to enhance protections for teenage users amid growing scrutiny over its handling of vulnerable individuals.

OpenAI’s blog post stated the new tools are expected to launch “within the next month,” allowing parents to link their accounts to those of teens aged 13 and above, enforce age-appropriate model behaviour rules, disable features like memory and chat history, and receive automatic notifications if their child shows signs of acute emotional distress.

OpenAI to add more robust reasoning models

To handle sensitive situations more effectively, the company will also route such conversations to more robust “reasoning” models.

The update follows a lawsuit filed by the parents of a 16-year-old California teen who died by suicide, alleging that ChatGPT provided harmful and detailed instructions that exacerbated the outcome.

Read: OpenAI rolls out new shopping features with ChatGPT search update

DP World said on Tuesday it is investing $2.5bn in logistics infrastructure projects around the globe this year, a move that is generating almost 5,000 new construction jobs across five countries.

The international supply chain solutions company, which employs more than 100,000 people directly, said the investment will support major transport developments in India, Britain, Ecuador, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“We are delighted that our investment is providing jobs for almost 5,000 people this year alone to help deliver major upgrades to the transport infrastructure of five different countries,” Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, said in a statement.

Bin Sulayem added that trade “has the potential to transform people’s lives” and that the projects would leave a legacy of “world class logistics infrastructure” that would benefit customers, communities and continents for decades.

Read: Dubai’s DP World posts 20.4% rise in H1 revenue

Job creation across DP world operations

India, a key growth market, will see 2,500 new roles created this year, including 2,000 jobs tied to a new terminal at Tuna Tekra in the northwest and another 500 through DP World’s inland and rail terminals.

In Senegal, construction of a deep-sea port at Ndayane is generating 600 jobs, while in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the new Port of Banana will create about 500 roles.

In Britain, DP World’s $1bn expansion of London Gateway is adding 1,000 jobs as the company builds two new berths and a second rail terminal at a site it says could become the country’s largest port by the end of the decade.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Ecuador’s DP World Posorja expansion is generating more than 300 construction roles and over 100 direct operational jobs.

DP World said the new infrastructure will support thousands of additional direct and indirect jobs once operational. Its flagship Jebel Ali free zone in Dubai already directly employs 160,000 people.

The company said it is building “a unique array of assets and suite of capabilities globally” to help customers remain competitive in an increasingly unpredictable trading environment.

Athar – Saudi Festival of Creativity, the Kingdom’s largest gathering of the creative marketing industry, has revealed major highlights for its third edition, including a new venue, expanded programme, and an influential lineup of speakers.

Organised by Motivate Media Group and TRACCS, with the support of partners MBC Media Solutions (MMS) and flynas, the event will take place on 21–22 October 2025 at JAX District – Diriyah Biennale Foundation.

Athar Festival 2025 is expected to attract over 3,000 attendees across two days, featuring more than 150 speakers, 80 activations, and five content stages. The festival reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a regional and global hub for marketing, communications, and creative industries.

“Since its debut in 2023, Athar Festival has grown alongside the Kingdom’s creative marketing landscape in both scale and reach. This journey has led to a third edition that is set to be our biggest, boldest, and most dynamic yet, a testament to how far we’ve come in such a short time and a reflection of the industry’s boundless potential. Today and for years to come, we’re proud to continue building a platform where talents from every background can connect, learn, and thrive,” said Ian Fairservice, chairman of Athar Festival and managing partner of Motivate Media Group.

Mohamed Al Ayed, vice chairman of Athar Festival and CEO of TRACCS, added: “Athar Festival is once more taking shape in Riyadh, and I could not be more excited to welcome local, regional, and international talent to this landmark celebration of creativity. With an exemplary lineup of speakers, industry experts, brands, sponsors, activations, and young talent, this year’s edition is set to ignite fresh ideas, spark greater collaborations that transcend borders, and unlock new opportunities for creative expression. Athar is not just a festival – it is a movement amplifying Saudi Arabia’s creative potential on the global stage and empowering a new generation of local talent to inspire a culture of creativity across the Kingdom.”

The 2025 edition will see participation from more than 80 sponsors and partners, with MMS returning as Growth Partner and flynas as Official Airline Partner. Other key partners include the Saudi Tourism Authority, Amazon Ads, Bloomberg Media, Omnicom Group, WPP, MCN, King Salman Park Foundation, Bassmat, Onsor Mosha, Sadu Media, and Stagwell.

Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Ahmed Al Sahhaf, CEO of MBC Media Solutions, said: “MBC Media Solutions proudly continues its partnership with Athar Festival, building on the success of the past two editions in achieving shared objectives and delivering exceptional creative experiences. This year, as the festival evolves, we are committed to broadening the scope of engagement with attendees, sharing our expertise with them, and presenting diverse media perspectives. We also aim to introduce the creative marketing community to innovative and renewed ways of reaching the right audience at the right time.”

The speaker lineup includes Mo Gawdat, bestselling author and former CBO at Google; Jo Malone, founder and creative director at Jo Loves; Ellie Norman, CMO of Formula E; and Ali Ali, co-founder and film director at Good People Films. Athar Festival 2025 will also introduce four new content streams: Creative Impact, Future Forward, Screen & Influence, and Luxury & Lifestyle.

The expanded 6,000+ sqm festival footprint will include the Activation Hall with 80+ brand activations, a Talent Hub for companies to engage with young professionals, a Ruwad Hub for entrepreneurs and emerging agencies, and a Networking Hub to connect regional and international industry leaders.

Content will run across five stages, including the Strategic and Spotlight Stages for keynotes and panels, the Saudi Gamer Arena focusing on esports, the Community Stage for workshops and community-led sessions, and the Courtyard Stage offering live music, wellness, and entertainment.

Returning initiatives include the Young Talent Academies and Maheerah Programme, both aimed at nurturing young professionals and empowering women in marketing. The Future CMO Academy will also return with an intensive programme for senior leaders.

The festival will conclude with the Athar Awards, celebrating outstanding work across more than 30 categories, including 14 new additions for 2025.

More details are available at atharfestival.com.