Based on SAMA's strategies for payment systems and the sector development program aimed at enhancing electronic payments and reducing cash transactions, and as part of SAMA's ongoing efforts to activate the use of electronic channels through the implementation of the Integrated Digital Payments Strategy program to improve the level of electronic services provided, in addition to the efforts of the National Program to Combat Commercial Concealment by gradually obliging the retail sector to provide electronic payment methods.

The program, in collaboration with SAMA, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Commerce, has mandated that all personal service activities in the Kingdom provide electronic payment methods starting from 8/8/1441 H, corresponding to 1/4/2020 G in order to ensure the success of efforts to activate this decision and guarantee full readiness to meet the expected demand, banks, and payment service providers must adhere to the following:

First: Readiness to receive applications for opening bank accounts and electronic wallets for merchants operating in personal service activities.

Second: Readiness to receive requests for providing electronic payment methods authorized by SAMA (Point of Sale devices or QR codes) and respond to them through various channels, such as branches, the official website, and the unified number, to facilitate this requirement for merchants working in personal service activities, and to comply with the regulatory and operational rules for these services.

Third: Compliance when providing payment methods using the Merchant Category Codes specific to this sector, which are as follows: (7210, 7211, 7216, 7217, 7230, 7251, 7276, 7278, 7296, 7297, 7298).

Fourth: Internally circulate this decision among bank staff and payment service providers to ensure their adequate understanding when receiving applications and inquiries in this regard.