Saudi Arabia: Agreement to Enhance Digital Link between Government, Banks

SAMA Governor Ahmad al-Kholifey and Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samaani while signing the agreement. Photo courtesy of SAMA
SAMA Governor Ahmad al-Kholifey and Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samaani while signing the agreement. Photo courtesy of SAMA
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Saudi Arabia: Agreement to Enhance Digital Link between Government, Banks

SAMA Governor Ahmad al-Kholifey and Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samaani while signing the agreement. Photo courtesy of SAMA
SAMA Governor Ahmad al-Kholifey and Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samaani while signing the agreement. Photo courtesy of SAMA

Governor of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) Ahmad al-Kholifey and Saudi Minister of Justice Waleed al-Samani signed Tuesday the digital link agreement “Tanfeeth” to provide a direct link among government authorized systems and banks operating in the Kingdom.

Tanfeeth includes a set of general frameworks and mechanisms for joint action and identification of areas of cooperation and organization.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the SAMA headquarters in Riyadh, Samani lauded the importance of the program in helping and facilitating judges' work in reviewing cases.

The Minister stressed that SAMA is one of the most important authorities that the Ministry of Justice is keen to establish a direct link with.

The SAMA governor pointed out that the Authority as a regulatory and supervisory body has always maintained confidentiality of banking information, which contributes to the promotion of confidence in the banking sector and boost development and economic growth.

Kholifey clarified that providing banking data to the concerned judicial authorities as per regular procedures will support them in reviewing cases.

The governor explained that digital means have had a direct contribution to the simplification of procedures.

Innovative solutions to keep pace with the growing workload was necessary due to the increased number of cases brought before the judicial agencies, namely the Justice Ministry, according to Kholifey.

Taking advantage of recent technologies available to SAMA and the banking sector shall be fruitful in reducing financial costs and efforts, and scaling down paperwork.



Mexico, Canada Tariffs Coming Tuesday, but Trump Will Set Exact Levels, Says US Commerce Head

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase, flanked by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase, flanked by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. (Reuters)
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Mexico, Canada Tariffs Coming Tuesday, but Trump Will Set Exact Levels, Says US Commerce Head

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase, flanked by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about tariffs increase, flanked by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, February 13, 2025. (Reuters)

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in a Sunday Fox News interview that tariffs on Canada and Mexico will go into effect as planned on Tuesday, but that President Donald Trump will determine their exact levels.

Trump has said he will impose 25% tariffs on the two countries on March 4.

The two countries have "done a reasonable job" securing their US borders and Trump is considering what the final tariff levels should be, Lutnick said.

"He's sort of thinking about right now how exactly he wants to play with Mexico and Canada, and that is a fluid situation. There are going to be tariffs on Tuesday on Mexico and Canada. Exactly what they are, we're going to leave that for the president and his team to negotiate," he said.

Trump is also expected on Tuesday to raise tariffs on China from 10% to 20%, which is set unless the country ends fentanyl trafficking into the US, Lutnick said.