The Saudi Central Bank and the Arab Monetary Fund announces the inclusion of the Saudi Riyal as a settlement currency in Buna, through NCB Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Riyal is the third Arab settlement currency to join Buna’s payment platform

Participant banks can now use the Saudi Riyal in their cross-border payments

Abu Dhabi, 24 December 2020: The Saudi Central Bank and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) announced today the inclusion of the Saudi Riyal as a settlement currency in Buna (the regional cross-border payment system owned by the AMF), and the assigning of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) as a settlement bank for the Saudi currency.

NCB has been awarded this role, as by the terms of the agreement signed with Buna and has completed all the required technical tests and integration process to provision transaction services in Saudi Riyal through Buna’s platform.

The Saudi Riyal is the third Arab settlement currency to join Buna’s payment platform, following the inclusion of the UAE Dirham and Egyptian Pound consecutively. This milestone comes in line with Buna’s ongoing efforts to build its network of participant banks as well as Arab and International currencies.

Commenting on this event His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman A. Al Hamidy, Director General Chairman of the Board of the Arab Monetary Fund, expressed his appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency the Governor of the Saudi Central Bank and the Chief Executive officer of NCB for their constant support to facilitate the inclusion process. His Excellency also praised the great efforts of the dedicated teams in the Saudi Central Bank and NCB.

H.E Dr. Al Hamidy said: “We highly thank the Saudi Central Bank and NCB for their strong belief in Buna’s capabilities and commitment to its plans and long-term strategy. Adding the Saudi Riyal to Buna’s list of settlement currencies, represents additional solid proof of the added value that our multi-currency platform can bring not only at regional level, but to the global payment industry. We are on the right track to realize our strategic goal of adding key currencies to our platform in a consistent and sustainable pattern.”

“The long-term value that we are bringing to the payment industry in this part of the world, is not limited to our diversified and agile payment system but as well to our ability to explore the region needs for a multi-currency and centralized platform that can offer modern payment solutions that comply with international standards in a safe, cost- effective, risk-controlled and transparent environment.” Added H.E Dr. Al Hamidy.

The Saudi Riyal is one of the most used currencies in cross-border payment transactions across the Arab region. Hence, the inclusion of this major regional currency in Buna regional payment platform is key in realizing Buna’s vision to empower Arab economies and promote regional integration, by encouraging the usage of Arab currencies in cross-border payments and investments.