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Saudi MADA Prepares to Launch ‘Apple Pay’

Saudi MADA Prepares to Launch ‘Apple Pay’
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Saudi MADA Prepares to Launch ‘Apple Pay’

Saudi MADA Prepares to Launch ‘Apple Pay’

The Saudi Payment Network (MADA) announced it will soon introduce ''Apple Pay'' in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement issued on Friday, MADA confirmed that this falls under its continuous work to provide digital payment options according to the fastest and highest safety standards, in cooperation with its partners from Saudi banks and international payment systems.

MADA focused, since the beginning of the year, on the spread of Atheer service in stores – the service has become available in almost all points of sale in Saudi Arabia.

MADA activated the online payment service through MADA cards during the first quarter of the current year, and after that, it launched Android payments through MADA Pay.

MADA’s efforts fall under the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) efforts to achieve the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the program to develop the financial sector.

SAMA has started implementing an ambitious plan to develop MADA in order to support and reinforce digital payments in the country through a unified digital payments strategy.

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Oil Prices Rise on Middle East Conflict Fears as Israel Steps Up Attacks

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Oil Prices Rise on Middle East Conflict Fears as Israel Steps Up Attacks

FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A view shows an oil pump jack outside Almetyevsk in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, June 4, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Oil prices extended gains on Monday, buoyed by escalating concerns over potential supply pressures from Middle East producers following Israel's increased attacks on Iranian-backed forces in the region.
Brent crude futures for November delivery increased 51 cents, or 0.71%, to $72.49 a barrel as of 0330 GMT. That contract expires on Monday, and the more-active contract for December delivery gained 50 cents, or 0.7%, to $72.04.
US West Texas Intermediate crude futures added 43 cents, or 0.63%, to $68.61 a barrel.
Last week, Brent fell around 3%, while WTI fell by around 5% as demand worries increased after fiscal stimulus from China, the world's second-biggest economy and top oil importer, failed to reassure market confidence, Reuters said.
However, prices on Monday were supported by the possibility of a widening Middle East conflict involving Iran, a key producer and member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), after Israel stepped up its attacks on the Hezbollah and Houthi militant groups that Iran backs.
While excessive supplies are a key concern for oil markets, markets broadly fear an escalation in the Middle Eastern crisis that could dampen supplies from key producing regions, said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
Israel said it bombed Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday, expanding its confrontation with Iran's allies two days after killing Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in an escalating conflict in Lebanon.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has authorized the military to reinforce its presence in the Middle East, with the Pentagon saying on Sunday that should Iran, its partners, or its proxies target US personnel or interests, Washington "will take every necessary measure to defend our people".
In the context of Israel's decisive strike on Hezbollah, oil prices will continue to be driven by supply and demand dynamics, said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.
Given the upcoming end of OPEC+'s voluntary supply cuts on Dec. 1, WTI may test its 2021 lows in the $61 to $62 a barrel range, he said.
"Additionally, despite China's recent dovish shift, it's unclear if this will translate into higher fuel demand, considering China's advancements in electrifying and decarbonizing its transportation sector," Sycamore added.
Later on Monday, markets will be waiting to hear from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for clues on the central bank's speed of monetary easing, and seven other Fed policymakers are due to speak this week, ANZ analysts said in a note.
Also due are data on job openings and private hiring, along with ISM surveys on manufacturing and services.
With the Fed and other major central banks embarking on policy easing, some economic recovery could just be around the corner, said Phillip Nova's Sachdeva.
"How well demand responds to easing rates, and how much Chinese demand revives after the major stimulus injected last week, will eventually shape oil market dynamics going forward," she said.