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Middle East and Central Asia > Saudi Arabia

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Cover Departmental Papers
Central Bank Digital Currencies in the Middle East and Central Asia
Serpil Bouza
,
Bashar Hlayhel
,
Thomas Kroen
,
Marcello Miccoli
,
Borislava Mircheva
,
Greta Polo
,
Sahra Sakha
, and
Yang Yang
Against the backdrop of a rapidly digitalizing world, there is a growing interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) among central banks, including in the Middle East and Central Asia (ME&CA) region. This paper aims to support ME&CA policymakers in examining key questions when considering the adoption of a CBDC while underscoring the importance of country-specific analyses. This paper does not provide recommendations on CBDC issuance. Instead, it frames the discussion around the following key questions: What is a CBDC? What objectives do policymakers aim to achieve with the issuance of a CBDC? Which inefficiencies in payment systems can CBDCs address? What are the implications of CBDC issuance for financial stability and central bank operational risk? How can CBDC design help achieve policy objectives and mitigate these risks? The paper provides preliminary answers to these questions at the regional level. A survey of IMF teams and public statements from ME&CA policymakers confirm that promoting financial inclusion and making payment systems more efficient (domestic and cross-border) are the top priorities in the region. Payment services through CBDCs, if offered at a lower cost than existing alternatives, could spur competition in the payment market and help increase access to bank accounts, improve financial inclusion, and update legacy technology platforms. CBDCs may also help improve the efficiency of cross-border payment services, especially if designed to address frictions arising from a lack of payment system interoperability, complex processing of compliance checks, long transaction chains, and weak competition. At the same time, CBDCs could negatively impact bank profitability while introducing a substantial operational burden for central banks. However, the exact economic and financial impacts of CBDCs need further study and would depend on estimates of CBDC demand, which are uncertain and country- dependent. CBDC issuance and adoption is a long journey that policymakers should approach with care. Policymakers need to analyze carefully whether a CBDC serves their country’s objectives and whether the expected benefits outweigh the potential costs, in addition to risks for the financial system and operational risks for the central bank.
Keywords:
central; bank; digital; currency; CBDC implementation; CBDC design; CBDC uptake; monetary policy pass-through; market power; CBDC issuance; Central Bank digital currencies; Payment systems; Financial inclusion; Digital financial services; Commercial banks; Middle East and Central Asia; Middle East; North Africa; Central Asia and the Caucasus; Global
Cover Law & Financial Stability
Law & Financial Stability
International Monetary Fund. Legal Dept.

Abstract

This volume comprises a selection of papers prepared in connection with a high-level seminar on Law and Financial Stability held at the IMF in 2016. It examines, from a legal perspective, the progress made in implementing the financial regulatory reforms adopted since the global financial crisis and highlights the role of the IMF in advancing these reforms and charting the course for a future reform agenda, including the development of a coherent international policy framework for resolution and resolution planning. The book’s unique perspective on the role of the law in promoting financial stability comes from the contribution of selected experts and representatives from our membership who share their views on this subject.

Keywords:
BOOK; bank; authority; central bank; enterprise; CCP participant; insolvency regime; enterprise group; risk management decision; IFSB standard; Bank resolution framework; Islamic banking; Financial sector stability; Bank resolution; Central counterparty clearing house; Global; Caribbean; Europe; Western Hemisphere; Sub-Saharan Africa; resolution authority; financial crisis; bank holding company
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Saudi Arabia: Financial Sector Assessment Program Update—Detailed Assessment of Observance of the CPSS Core Principles for Systemically Important Payment Systems
International Monetary Fund. Monetary and Capital Markets Department
This paper highlights the Saudi Arabia’s Detailed Assessment of Observance of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems Core Principles for systemically important payment systems. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) is working to establish its payment system oversight function from an operational perspective. The power of SAMA to oversee the payment systems is stated in the central bank and banking laws. The powers of the central bank to operate, regulate, and oversee the payment systems are not detailed in the law and could be also covered by the proposed Payment System Law. Many critical aspects relating to the payment and securities settlement systems are covered in the legal framework.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; payment system; SARIE system; central bank; gateway application; SAMA oversight authority; cheque clearing process; direct debit; SARIE participant; automated teller machine; SARIE operation; oversight function; payment card; SPAN system; SARIE system place; SIPS Saudi Arabian Riyal Inter-bank Express; Payment systems; Securities; Securities settlement systems; Real time gross settlement systems; Operational risk; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Saudi Arabia: Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes
International Monetary Fund
Saudi Arabia’s Report on Standards and Codes has been examined. The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has made significant progress in establishing its supervision credentials, including issuing implementing regulations. The CMA approach to supervision is both risk-based and compliance-focused, and the cost of compliance needs to be a more central focus when establishing mandatory obligations. The CMA has general and broad powers for inspection and investigation, and it conducts full electronic surveillance of the market. The CMA has the authority to investigate potential violations and to bring enforcement action seeking civil and criminal penalties.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; payment system; payment; bank; Sanya; Saudi Arabian Riyal Inter-Bank Express; CMA regulation; Sama core criteria; asset class; CMA staff; CMA approval; card payments switch; oversight function; Payment systems; Securities; Legal support in revenue administration; Mutual funds; Securities settlement systems; Global
Cover IMF Staff Country Reports
Saudi Arabia: Financial System Stability Assessment, including Reports on the Observance of Standards and Codes on the following topics, Monetary and Financial Policy Transparency, Banking Supervision, and Payment Systems
International Monetary Fund
The capacity of the Saudi Arabian banking sector to respond to macroeconomic shocks has been considerably strengthened over the past decade. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA ) has been actively monitoring some emerging portfolio trends. Comprehensive reforms are under way to deepen financial markets and increase access to financial services. Resolving structural issues remains an obstacle for the market development. SAMA adheres to the Basel Committee’s Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision, and it makes no differentiation between conventional and Sharia-compliant banking arrangements.
Keywords:
ISCR; CR; banking sector; financial system; SAMA charter; interest rate; SAMA-administered merger; settlement system; SAMA's repurchase; SAMA regulation; Commercial banks; Loans; Capital markets; Payment systems; Global