The Banker awards Ahmed Alkholifey as “Best Central Bank Governor in Middle East in 2020”

Ahmed Alkholifey, Governor of SAMA

Ahmed Alkholifey, governor of Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), won the “Best Central Bank Governor in the Middle East in 2020” award by The Banker magazine.

The award was not only due to the bank’s measures to protect the Saudi banking system and economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also due to the relentless innovation agenda during the crisis, the magazine said.

The Banker indicated that SAMA took several measures during 2020 to protect Saudi banks and companies from the impact of the lockdown measures and the decline in oil revenues.

Alkholifey has been serving as the governor of SAMA since May 2016.

According to data compiled by Argaam, SAMA had taken several measures in 2020 to counter the effects of COVID-19, including preparing a program worth SAR 50 billion to support the private sector and reducing interest rates twice.

As much as SAR 50 billion was pumped to enhance liquidity in the banking sector, in addition to the payment extension program which will continue until the end of Q1 2021.