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Crowdfunding Fintech Technology

CMA: Regulatory Framework for Equity Crowdfunding Approved

The Capital Market Authority Announces the Approval of the Regulatory Framework for Equity Crowdfunding

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CMA: Regulatory Framework for Equity Crowdfunding Approved #Saudi_Arabia

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Overview

The Capital Market Authority (“CMA”) Board issued its resolution approving amendments of the following:

It is worth noting that these amendments shall be effective as of the date of their publication on September 27, 2022.

Who is involved in these amendments?

These amendments are applicable to:

  • Capital Market Institutions
  • Companies that hold Financial Technology Experimental Permit

Main Differences

The amendments include regulating share offerings through capital market institutions that are authorized to carry out arranging activities in the course of carrying out securities crowdfunding.

Also, the amendments comprised setting the requirements for custody of clients’ money received by capital market institutions that are authorized to carry out arranging activities in the course of carrying out securities crowdfunding, and opening and operating investment accounts.

This comes after the CMA has published the draft Regulatory Framework for Equity Crowdfunding and the Unified Electronic Platform for Consulting the Public and Government Entities (Public Consultation Platform), affiliated with the National Competitiveness Center, for public consultation for a period of (45) calendar days.

What's New About CMA FinTech Lab?​

In order to understand and assess the impact of new technologies in the KSA’s capital market, as well as to help transform the Saudi market into an intelligent financial center, CMA has designed the FinTech Lab which welcomes local as well as international firms wishing to test new digital solutions in a ‘live’ environment with a view to deploying them in the KSA in the future.

The updated framework will also support the objectives of the FinTech strategy by making the Kingdom one of the world’s leading countries in the field, and it will contribute to the economic empowerment of the Saudi society and its citizens by promoting further innovations in technology-based capital market.

Conclusions

It is expected that the amendments shall reflect on enabling the Capital Market Institutions that are authorized to carry out arranging activities to offer of securities via Equity Crowdfunding platforms, as well as the custody of the clients’ money in the course of carrying out securities crowdfunding.

Feel free to share your thoughts and inquiries with us on this update or the capital market via email or a meeting.

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Fintech Technology

Saudi Central Bank Updates Its Regulatory Sandbox Framework
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Saudi Central Bank Updates Its Regulatory Sandbox Framework

Saudi Central Bank Updates Its Regulatory Sandbox Framework #Saudi_Arabia

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Overview

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) announced that it has updated the Framework of its Regulatory Sandbox. The step was taken as part of SAMA’s efforts to achieve several national strategic goals through the promotion of the Regulatory Sandbox’s involvement in the Financial Sector Development Program (FSDP), a key objective of the Saudi Vision 2030, which is aiming to develop the kingdom’s economy, diversify its sources of income, enable financial institutions to support the growth of the private sector, and allow new companies to provide their own array of financial services.

What is Regulatory Sandbox?

SAMA launched the Regulatory Sandbox initiative back in 2018 to garner the participation of local, regional and international FinTech institutions and companies seeking to take advantage of current and new technologies to provide innovative financial products and services to Saudi markets.

SAMA’s Sandbox directly connects with the Saudi Vision 2030 which endeavors to reinforce economic growth and investment activities. Vision 2030 has been further developed into 12 Executive Programs, which includes the ‘Financial Sector Development Program’ (FSDP). The FSDP program seeks to develop the financial industry as a diversified and effective financial services sector to support the development of the national economy by stimulating savings, finance and investment by, inter alia, enabling financial institutions to support private sector growth.

To this end, SAMA’s Regulatory Sandbox aims to attract local and International FinTech businesses that are looking to leverage existing or new technology in an innovative way to deliver new financial products or services to KSA markets, or improve business processes. The target audience includes, but is not limited to, KSA and international Start-ups, FinTechs, established financial sector firms, and professional services companies partnering with or providing support to such businesses.

Why is Regulatory Sandbox so important?

In order to understand and assess the impact of new technologies in the KSA’s FS market, as well as to help transforming the Saudi market into a smart financial center, SAMA has designed a Regulatory Sandbox which welcomes local as well as international firms wishing to test new digital solutions in a ‘live’ environment with a view to deploy them in the KSA in the future.

What's New About SAMA Regulatory Sandbox?​

The Central Bank pointed out that the updated framework of the Regulatory Sandbox is open for both local and international applicants to apply be they entrepreneurs, non-regulated companies or existing regulated entities, the key differentiator of the updated framework is to move from a cohort based approach to an Always Open approach which will give greater flexibility to those applying. 

The updated framework will also support the objectives of the FinTech strategy by making the Kingdom one of the world’s leading countries in the field, and it will contribute to the economic empowerment of the Saudi society and its citizens by promoting further innovations in technology-based financial services.

When Does the Regulatory Sandbox Framework start?

SAMA will allow FinTech companies to submit Regulatory Sandbox applications under the updated framework as of the 6th of September 2022.

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Upcoming Events

The Central Bank in cooperation with Fintech Saudi, will hold on this September 5, 2022, at 12:00 PM, an introductory workshop on the updated regulatory framework for the legislative experimental environment.

Fintech Saudi will be hosting a virtual workshop in which members of the Regulatory Sandbox team at SAMA will introduce the new framework to an open audience.

We invite you to attend the workshop where the following aspects will be covered:
1. Enhancements to the framework
2. Walk through the lifecycle from Application to Testing
3. Q&A with the Sandbox team.

Conclusions

We believe that this SAMA Regulatory  Sandbox Framework update will leverage the Financial Technology sector in KSA where it will make financial sector firms and technology companies applying for SAMA license way easier and feasible comparing to status quo.

As #1 FinTech law firm, Knowledge Pioneers has been deeply involved in such updates in the legal environment of the Financial Technology sector.

If you are interested in the FinTech arena in the KSA, please fill out our FinTech Assessment Survey in order to have one of FinTech experts contact you promptly.

For further information, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

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Categories
Commercial Contracts Dispute Resolution Litigation Real Estate Technology

NAJIZ: Digital Transformation In The Judicial System

Judicial Fees
Judicial Fees
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NAJIZ: Digital Transformation in The Judicial System

Najiz offers fast and efficient digital services to all ministry clients in order to enhance customer experience and satisfaction. #Saudi_Arabia.

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Overview

In continuation of the Kingdom’s unremitting efforts in the digital transformation of government services, we are talking today about “Najiz” system, which is deemed to be a qualitative leap in the history of the Saudi judiciary and the legal profession.

What is Najiz?

Najiz is a judicial services platform which provides all Ministry of Justice (MoJ) services through one unified platform.

Najiz offers fast and efficient digital services to all MoJ clients in order to enhance customer experience and satisfaction. 

How to access Najiz?

To reach the platform, just click on Najiz.

Objectives of Najiz

His Excellency the Minister of Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Sheikh Dr. Walid bin Muhammad Al-Samaani launched the “Najiz” system in 177 first-instance courts throughout the Kingdom with the aim of:

  • Standardizing procedures among all courts
  • Deploying digital transformation in building institutional justice
  • Speeding up settlement of disputes

What are Najiz Services?

There are more than 134 services and procedures.

In this article, we review the most prominent services and procedures.

Judiciary
  • Filing Lawsuits
  • Filing Statements of Claim
  • Court Hearings Schedules
  • Inquiries on Lawsuits
  • Filing Execution Case
  • Filing Applications
Business

  • Activate the facility account

  • Deactivate facility account

  • Submit Facility’s Applications for Execution

  • Corporate Matters

Licensing
  • Licensed Lawyers Directory
  • Licensed Marriage Officials Directory
  • Application for Law Practitioner License
  • Application for Marriage Officials License
  • Application for Renewal of Law Practitioner License  
Power of Attorney
  • Issuance of an electronic Power of Attorney
  • Termination of Power of Attorney
  • Acknowledgements
Dates
  • Inquire about the dates of the judicial facilities 
  • Inquire about the dates of the mobile notaries
  • Book an appointment for mobile notaries
  • Appointment booking service
Verification
  • Verify Social Status
  • Verify mortgage
  • Verify a judgment deed (first degree – appeal)
  • Verify marriage contract
  • Verify “Furijat” bills
  • Verify a transaction
  • Verify the determination of heirs
  • Verify a Power of Attorney
Real Estate
  • Notarize a mortgage
  • Issue a replacement of a lost/damaged  title deed 
  • Transfer Ownership of Real Estate
  • Verify Real Estate Ownership Status
  • Issue Real Estate Identity
  • Mortgages Management
  • Real Estate Management
  • Update Title Deeds
Personal/Marital Status
  • Guardianship
  • Minor Alimony Assessment
  • Documentation of Marriage, Divorce, and Reversion
  • Documentation of heirs of the deceased
  • Endowment
  • Rehabilitation
  • Inheritance Determination
  • Estate Allocation

Conclusions

The Najez system is considered one of the renewable technical systems of an advanced nature in accordance with the development and acceleration of legislation in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom’s vision 2030. In this article, we have discussed the most prominent services related to this system and its developments.

For further information, please do not hesitate to Contact Us.

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Automation Construction Real Estate Technology

Nafith Platform Launch
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Nafith Platform Launch​

Phase II of Idle Lands Program has been launched in 17 new cities by the Ministry of Housing

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OVERVIEW

On Sunday, 8/26/1441H corresponding to 4/19/2020, Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid Al-Samaani, launched Nafith Platform that allows individuals and corporates to electronically create, save, and manage execution bonds in a safe and reliable environment.

Such inauguration took place with the participation of the ministers of commerce, housing, communications, and the governor of the Saudi Central Bank to ensure the most integration possible across Saudi concerned agencies.

The platform provides a digital bond service where the beneficiary/user can create, issue, and have bonds approved by counterpart users, follow up on their status, view their details around the clock, and have such bonds linked to and monitored by the Ministry of Justice and courts of execution to facilitate enforcement thereof.

Nafith Objectives

  • a secure digital protective environment on the bond market
  • preserves the rights of the parties
  • ensures the integrity of instruments
  • eliminates related violations and old obstacles
  • ensures the completion of the bond requirements
  • speeds up and eases down proceedings required for enforcing a bond by digitally linking with courts of enforcement
  • preserves bonds from damage and loss
  • reduces execution disputes, e.g. related to the allegation of forgery
  • stimulating repayment through early notification to the debtor before transferring the bond to the court.

Nafith comes as a part of Vision 2030 and the MoJ’s efforts for engaging the private sector under the National Transformation Program as well as an increased shift towards digital services and platforms.

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