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.



Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
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Oil Edges Up on Strong US GDP Data

A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo
A pumpjack brings oil to the surface in the Monterey Shale, California, US April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Oil prices were up slightly on Friday on stronger-than-expected US economic data that raised investor expectations for increasing crude oil demand from the world's largest energy consumer.

But concerns about soft economic conditions in Asia's biggest economies, China and Japan, capped gains.

Brent crude futures for September rose 7 cents to $82.44 a barrel by 0014 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude for September increased 4 cents to $78.32 per barrel, Reuters reported.

In the second quarter, the US economy grew at a faster-than-expected annualised rate of 2.8% as consumers spent more and businesses increased investments, Commerce Department data showed. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted US gross domestic product would grow by 2.0% over the period.

At the same time, inflation pressures eased, which kept intact expectations that the Federal Reserve would move forward with a September interest rate cut. Lower interest rates tend to boost economic activity, which can spur oil demand.

Still, continued signs of trouble in parts of Asia limited oil price gains.

Core consumer prices in Japan's capital were up 2.2% in July from a year earlier, data showed on Friday, raising market expectations of an interest rate hike in the near term.

But an index that strips away energy costs, seen as a better gauge of underlying price trends, rose at the slowest annual pace in nearly two years, suggesting that price hikes are moderating due to soft consumption.

China, the world's biggest crude importer, surprised markets for a second time this week by conducting an unscheduled lending operation on Thursday at steeply lower rates, suggesting authorities are trying to provide heavier monetary stimulus to prop up the economy.