Saudi Central Bank Licenses New Payment Financial Tech Company

Saudi Central Bank logo
Saudi Central Bank logo
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Saudi Central Bank Licenses New Payment Financial Tech Company

Saudi Central Bank logo
Saudi Central Bank logo

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) licensed a new payment financial technology company, "Moyasar Financial Company" to provide E-commerce payment services.

With Moyasar, the total number of payment companies licensed by SAMA reaches 16 companies, in addition to nine companies that were granted an "in-principle approval."

Moyasar provides e-payment solutions that significantly match the current needs of the client's online store.

The new license comes from SAMA's role to promote the development of the financial technology sector by allowing the entry of new players and products.

It aims to attract a value-adding new segment of investors and companies to strengthen and contribute to the sector's growth through compliance with SAMA's regulatory requirements.

SAMA plays a role in enhancing financial stability and supporting opportunities for growth and economic development in Saudi Arabia to achieve the goals of Vision 2030.

SAMA reaffirms its commitment to support and facilitate the development of payments companies and the financial technology sector, encourage innovation in financial services, and increase efficiency in financial transactions, which contributes to enhancing financial inclusion in the Kingdom.

Moyasar stated that its e-payment solutions are designed to offer: rich and flexible features, become usable and intuitive, provide in detail reporting to allow an instant and deep understanding of how the business runs, facilitate seamless integration with a large number of back-office systems, and ensure a high level of security and privacy protection.



Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
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Washington Urges Israel to Extend Cooperation with Palestinian Banks

A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)
A West Bank Jewish settlement is seen in the background, while a protestor waves a Palestinian flag during a protest against Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin in 2012. (AP)

The United States on Thursday called on Israel to extend its cooperation with Palestinian banks for another year, to avoid blocking vital transactions in the occupied West Bank.

"I am glad that Israel has allowed its banks to continue cooperating with Palestinian banks, but I remain convinced that a one-year extension of the waiver to facilitate this cooperation is needed," US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday, on the sidelines of a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Rio de Janeiro.

In May, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened to cut off a vital banking channel between Israel and the West Bank in response to three European countries recognizing the State of Palestine.

On June 30, however, Smotrich extended a waiver that allows cooperation between Israel's banking system and Palestinian banks in the occupied West Bank for four months, according to Israeli media, according to AFP.

The Times of Israel newspaper reported that the decision on the waiver was made at a cabinet meeting in a "move that saw Israel legalize several West Bank settlement outposts."

The waiver was due to expire at the end of June, and the extension permitted Israeli banks to process payments for salaries and services to the Palestinian Authority in shekels, averting a blow to a Palestinian economy already devastated by the war in Gaza.

The Israeli threat raised serious concerns in the United States, which said at the time it feared "a humanitarian crisis" if banking ties were cut.

According to Washington, these banking channels are key to nearly $8 billion of imports from Israel to the West Bank, including electricity, water, fuel and food.