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Saudi Arabia has officially launched a new symbol for its national currency, the riyal, marking a significant step in reinforcing the kingdom’s financial identity on local, regional, and international levels.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced the move on Thursday, following official approval from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The new riyal symbol has been designed to the highest technical standards and reflects Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage, SAMA said in a statement.

"The symbol will make it easier to refer to the Saudi riyal in all financial and commercial transactions, strengthening its presence in the global financial system," the statement added.

Inspired by Arabic calligraphy, the symbol carries the name of the national currency, "Riyal", and aims to streamline its representation across financial and commercial transactions both domestically and internationally.

General Usage Principles:

  • Financial Transactions:
    • The primary purpose is to use the symbol in all financial transactions, both physical and digital. This includes invoices, receipts, bank statements, and online payment platforms.
    • It's intended to be used alongside or in place of the existing currency code (SAR) where appropriate.
  • Commercial Transactions:
    • Retailers, businesses, and service providers are expected to incorporate the symbol into their pricing displays, advertisements, and other commercial materials.
  • Digital Platforms:
    • Websites, mobile apps, and other digital platforms that display or process Saudi Riyal amounts should adopt the new symbol.
  • Official Documents:
    • Government agencies and financial institutions will likely integrate the symbol into official documents and communications.
  • International Usage:
    • The symbol aims to improve the recognition of the Saudi Riyal in international financial markets and transactions.

Key Considerations:

  • Gradual Implementation:
    • SAMA has indicated a gradual implementation, suggesting that there will be a transition period. This means that both the existing currency code (SAR) and the new symbol may be used interchangeably for a while.
  • Technical Standards:
    • SAMA has emphasized that the symbol is designed to the highest technical standards, implying that there are specific guidelines for its digital representation and printing.
  • Consistency:
    • The goal is to achieve consistent usage of the symbol across all platforms and sectors.

Where to Potentially Find More Specifics:

  • Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) Website:
    • Keep an eye on the official SAMA website for any updates, guidelines, or official publications regarding the symbol's usage.
  • Financial Institutions:
    • Saudi Arabian banks and financial institutions will likely provide guidance to their customers on how to use the new symbol.
  • Regulatory Bodies:
    • Other relevant regulatory bodies in Saudi Arabia may also issue guidelines on the symbol's usage.

In summary, the symbol is designed to be a visual identifier for the Saudi Riyal, used across financial and commercial platforms, both physical and digital. The implementation will be gradual, and official guidance will likely be available from SAMA and other relevant authorities.