Saud Swar, the Country Manager for Mastercard in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and other Levant sits down with Patricia Wu at the Money 20/20 Middle East event to discuss the pivotal role played by Mastercard at the inaugural Money 20/20 conference, where they are showcasing innovations in AI, cybersecurity, and tools for SMEs.
Saud shares insights on Mastercard’s commitment to cybersecurity, including the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Riyadh aimed at addressing the growing challenges in this field. He discusses the importance of collaboration with local partners and the proactive measures being taken to enhance the resilience of the banking ecosystem.
They also delve into the pressing issue of women employment in the tech and fintech sectors. Saud highlights Mastercard’s initiatives, such as the “Her Voice” podcast and the “Girls for Tech” program, aimed at empowering women and equipping young girls with essential skills in technology and programming.
Finally, Saud offers his perspective on the exciting trends and innovations emerging from the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, as the region continues to lead in AI and financial services.