The move represents a significant leap forward in the field of Umrah automated-payment services.

The agreement was signed recently by Ahmed A. Ghumri, CEO of Sejel, and Anees Moumina, corporate banking head for Samba in the Western Region, in the presence of Eissa M. Al-Eissa, chairman of the group.

Members of the board and senior executives of both sides also attended the signing ceremony. The new system will provide an automated payments solution for collecting payments relating to Umrah packages based on the principle of processing applications for Umrah after the receipt of the amounts to be paid.

The system will distribute the applications to the companies and entities involved in Umrah services in the Kingdom. Al-Eissa described the agreement with Sejel as an example of the sort of partnership efforts that Samba seeks to achieve with various government and private sector organizations to contribute to achieving the aspirations and vision of the Kingdom's leadership, particularly in matters regarding visitors to the holy sites, a top priority for the Kingdom.

"I am sure that both Sejel and Samba are keen to leverage all potential human and technical resources in order to ensure success of the automated payment solution, which will work around the clock with a high degree of speed, flexibility, and confidentiality," he said.

Al-Eissa added: "I extend my thanks and appreciation to Sejel for their confidence in Samba as a strong partner that can help develop, implement and bring this solution to fruition. I am confident that this partnership represents a pioneering model for constructive cooperation between the various public and private institutions in the Kingdom, to serve the vital interests of the nation."

In his statement, Ghumri said the automated payments system would deliver significant improvements to the existing electronic system, in adding to providing interactive channels with a high degree of speed and security, with real time transference of data.

"The modest investment will put in place state-of-the-art technologies developed both locally and internationally," he added.

He said Umrah service providers would see marked improvements upon application of the new solution, as it supports the distribution of financial receivables for companies in immediate and safe manner, and will constitute an added value to the level of services provided.

Ghumri went on to say: "We, the management team at Sejel are confident that Samba, being a pioneer in the banking sector in the Kingdom, with a wealth of experience and an established track record of successes, particularly at the technical level, are the right partner for this impressive initiative. I am confident that the agreement will contribute significantly to the upgrading of the automated payments system, helping to take companies in the Umrah services sector to new heights."