In a move reflecting the accelerating pace of development in the Holy City, the Royal Commission for Makkah and the Holy Sites announced a new qualitative achievement represented by the completion of the operation of the elements of the Fourth Ring Road intersection project with King Faisal Road (known as Al-Sail Road), ahead of the planned time date, which enhances the efficiency of the road network and supports the readiness of traffic to serve residents and visitors.

Project details and new routes

The official announcement included the activation and opening of direct lanes for vehicles coming from the Fourth Ring Road towards King Faisal Road in both directions (towards the Grand Mosque and towards Al-Sail). This step aims to improve connectivity between the main axes of the Holy City and increase the operational efficiency of one of the most vital intersections in Mecca, thus ensuring the smooth and easy flow of traffic.

The strategic importance of the Fourth Ring Road

The Fourth Ring Road project occupies a pivotal position in Makkah's transportation system, serving as a strategic link connecting various districts of Makkah with the holy sites (Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah). This ring road contributes to alleviating traffic congestion in the central area by diverting through traffic away from the city center, thus facilitating the movement of pilgrims during peak seasons.

The project's impact on traffic flow and Hajj and Umrah

The Al-Sail Road intersection is of particular importance as it is located at the eastern gateway to Mecca, receiving those arriving from Taif and the eastern and central regions, in addition to pilgrims arriving by land. This operation is expected to contribute to:

• Reduce travel time: by eliminating traffic congestion at previous intersection points.
• Improving safety: by separating traffic flow and reducing points of conflict between vehicles.
• Facilitating access to the holy sites: Supporting smooth access to the central area and the holy sites, which is vital, especially during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.

Integration with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

The early commissioning of this project reflects the efficiency of its planning and execution, as well as the integrated efforts of the relevant authorities. It is part of a package of infrastructure development projects underway in the Kingdom. These efforts directly contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of more Umrah and Hajj pilgrims and improve the quality of life for the residents of Makkah and visitors to the Holy Mosque by providing a world-class road network that ensures comfort and safety for all.

Starting tomorrow (Friday), 3/9/1447 AH (February 20, 2026), the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) will implement its decision regarding the "Financial Institutions Services Fee Guide," which imposes a strict prohibition on financial institutions exceeding the maximum fees for basic transactions and services offered to individual customers. This decision represents a pivotal step in regulating the relationship between banks and their customers, as the new guide will replace the previously applied "banking fees," reflecting the Central Bank's commitment to its supervisory and regulatory role in ensuring fair financial transactions.

In the context of enhancing transparency and protecting consumers, the Central Bank emphasized that the new guide primarily aims to promote financial inclusion in the Kingdom, enabling all segments of society to benefit from banking services at fair and reasonable fees. The guide also focuses on supporting digital transformation by encouraging customers to use electronic channels, a trend that aligns with the rapid technological advancements in the financial sector. This contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced reliance on cash, and ultimately, enhanced confidence in the financial system as a whole.

The guide includes significant changes that benefit customers, such as reducing the maximum fees for a wide range of services. Among the most notable changes are reduced administrative fees associated with financing products, fees for reissuing Mada cards, and lower costs for international purchases and cash withdrawals. The reductions also extend to fees for money transfers from bank accounts or e-wallets, as well as fees for using Mada cards at point-of-sale terminals within the GCC network, thus facilitating financial transactions for citizens and residents while traveling within the GCC countries.

From a regulatory and procedural standpoint, the Central Bank mandated that financial institutions fully disclose all fees before providing services and implement clear mechanisms to ensure customers understand the associated costs. The bank also stipulated that customers must obtain prior, documented consent through official channels for any fees or charges, and must be notified immediately via text message upon deduction. These measures aim to close loopholes that could lead to unexpected charges, thereby enhancing overall customer satisfaction with the banking sector.

To protect small balances, the bank issued a strong and important warning that banks are absolutely prohibited from imposing any fees when a bank account or e-wallet balance falls below a certain threshold, or when the balance is low. It also prohibited charging customers any additional costs related to third parties after receiving the product or service, emphasizing that the fees specified in the guide do not include value-added tax (VAT), which is applied separately according to the applicable tax system.