Search by Popular Categories


  • Consumer

  • Commercial

  • Construction

  • Industrial

  • Oil & Gas

  • DIAMOND SPONSOR

COMMERCIAL NEWS

ICAEW webinar discusses Saudi business recovery

Jun 29, 2020 1:59 PM

ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales) recently convened an expert panel to address the actions leaders in Saudi Arabia must take to guide their businesses through the new normal...

ICAEW (the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales) recently convened an expert panel to address the actions leaders in Saudi Arabia must take to guide their businesses through the ‘new normal’ world beyond the pandemic.

The joint webinar was held last week with leading specialist recruitment group, Robert Walters.

Captains of Saudi industry were asked to give insight into the issues they are prioritizing to help steer their companies through recovery. These include: challenging any long-held assumptions about their businesses that they had before the coronavirus pandemic; plotting scenarios of what the business may need to do next; understanding the critical interdependencies within their supply chains and how they may have been affected by the pandemic; and exploring available financing measures and strategies that could help the business rebuild.

The panellists included Adnan Zakariya, Country Managing Director, Protiviti Saudi Member Firm for Management Consultancy; Ammar Khayyat Chief Financial Officer at SACO; and Asad Zain, Vice President Finance of Olayan Saudi Holding Company. The webinar was led by Omer Zakaria, Manager for Saudi Arabia and the Northern Gulf region of Robert Walters Middle East, and moderated by Vanessa Heywood, Head of Business Development MEASA, ICAEW.

To manage risks during early stages of an economic crisis such as the pandemic, speakers advised that companies must first ensure:

•    the health and safety of employees
•    that the business can continue to operate
•    that profitability can be preserved as much as possible  
•    that the business can manage its cash flow to stay liquid.

Panellists also agreed that an essential step in managing potential risks in an organisation is to set up a crisis management team that will provide regular reviews of progress being made, while following government guidelines.

Michael Armstrong, FCA and ICAEW Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), said: “This is, undoubtedly, a worrying time for many organisations in Saudi Arabia. While the Vision 2030 economic diversity agenda should remain a top priority for steering the Kingdom’s economic recovery, it is likely COVID-19 may be the primary concern for businesses at this time. However, what the coronavirus has shown is that companies can be innovative, adaptable and resilient.

“The accountancy profession has a pivotal role to play in helping businesses navigate their way through the recovery process – by identifying risks, presenting sound financial information, measuring goals and using data. The immediate priority of accounting professionals in Saudi Arabia should be ensuring that sufficient liquidity is kept in the system to help cash flow in the face of an abrupt fall in demand due to coronavirus-related lockdowns or social distancing restrictions.”
 
Omer Zakaria, Manager – Saudi Arabia & Northern Gulf at Robert Walters Middle East, said: “COVID-19 represents a turning point in business history – the creation of a new normal. We may never revert to our old ways of working or doing business once the worst of the crisis has passed. Therefore, companies must come up with new ways of operating and utilising their time and recourses more efficiently.

“As we rebuild the global economy, we must remember that strong economies are rooted in inclusive, responsible and sustainable behaviours. Companies that plan ahead, think strategically, adapt quickly to changes, and empower and trust in their employees during times of uncertainty, will be best positioned to leverage it for future growth.”

Cost optimisation, process reengineering and communication

During the webinar, panellists urged businesses in Saudi Arabia to focus not only on implementing cost-cutting initiatives, but on cost optimisation too. That means assessing areas where operational costs can be re-allocated or avoided altogether.

The speakers agreed that companies in Saudi Arabia must revisit their operational processes and look for new areas of enhancement through automation. For many Saudi companies this would require investment in technology and upgrading their telecommunication infrastructure.

Companies in Saudi Arabia should also remember the crucial need for communication during a crisis, both within the organisation and externally with customers, stakeholders and banks. Speakers agreed that encouraging employees to ask questions, maintaining open lines of communication and implementing best communication practices can help organisations to communicate more effectively and responsibly across all channels – be that via telephone calls, emails or social media.

The webinar was attended by ICAEW members and senior finance representatives from major global and regional organisations. – TradeArabia News Service

Premium Partners - commercial

COMMERCIAL NEWS

Private equity activity surges in KSA, hits $4bn in 2023 Mar 27, 2024 09:36 AM

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable surge in private equity...

PwC Middle East, Microsoft launch AI Centre of Excellence Mar 21, 2024 16:31 PM

PwC Middle East in Saudi Arabia and Microsoft have announced the...

Franklin Templeton launches in KSA with Riyadh office Mar 20, 2024 16:35 PM

Franklin Templeton has announced that it has officially launched...

Emircom launches state-of-the-art security centre in Riyadh Mar 19, 2024 17:38 PM

Emircom a leader in cutting-edge IT solutions and services has opened...

Top 10 Saudi banks’ performance stays robust: report Mar 18, 2024 12:10 PM

The performance of the top 10 banks in Saudi Arabia is largely robust...

Aramco unit, Thales enter cybersecurity alliance Mar 17, 2024 16:16 PM

Cyberani an Aramco company and a national cyber champion has entered...