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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.

SAMA Governor Ayman Al-Sayari expressed appreciation to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their leadership in launching the currency symbol.

He emphasised that the move would enhance Saudi Arabia’s position among major global economies and G20 members while reinforcing national identity and cultural belonging in line withÌýVision 2030.

The initiative was developed with input from key Saudi institutions, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Media, and the

Governor Al-Sayari thanked the institutions for their role in shaping the currency symbol, which he described as an essential milestone in Saudi Arabia's financial development.

As the kingdom pushes forward with its Vision 2030 ambitions, the riyal's new emblem serves as both a nod to tradition and a step toward deeper global integration.