Al Salam Bank announced the launch of the ASB Pay Business digital platform in cooperation with the Arab Financial Services Company (AFS), which is an innovative digital point-of-sale platform that creates a qualitative shift in the payments system in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The announcement came during the bank’s participation in the Gulf Investment Gateway 2025 Forum, in a step that reinforces its commitment to empowering the business sector and supporting digital transformation in financial services.
The ASB Pay Business platform is designed to meet the needs of various sectors, from large corporations to small, medium and micro enterprises, as well as freelancers, home-based start-ups and virtual business registrations. The platform provides an integrated digital payments system that allows entrepreneurs to accept payments directly via their smartphones without the need for traditional point-of-sale devices. It features advanced services that include issuing digital invoices, payment links, directly linking bank accounts, and tracking transactions in real time, through a safe and easy-to-use interface. It also provides the possibility of settling transactions on the same day for Al Salam Bank customers, ensuring rapid cash flows and smooth daily operations.
With the acceleration of digital transformation in the Kingdom, statistics indicate that more than 70% of small and medium enterprises are looking for digital payment solutions, while transactions via mobile phones are growing by 30% annually. The digital payments market in Bahrain is expected to reach US$14 billion by 2025, driven by smartphone penetration exceeding 160% and the accelerating regional shift towards Soft POS systems, which has grown by 20% annually. These indicators confirm the growing need for innovative and flexible financial solutions that enable entrepreneurs to grow and contribute to the evolving digital economy.
In his statement on the sidelines of the “Gulf Gate” Forum, Mr. Anwar Murad, Group Executive Vice President – Banking Services, said: “The launch of the ASB Pay Business platform represents a qualitative shift in the digital payments scene in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and embodies our vision in providing innovative financial solutions that respond to the needs of the local market and enhance the entrepreneurial environment. We are committed to empowering the small and medium enterprise sector through smart digital tools that raise operating efficiency and support commercial expansion. We call on all business owners to benefit from this platform that allows them to easily accept payments locally and internationally, supported by a package An integrated suite of services designed to support their business growth.
For his part, Mr. Samer Suleiman, CEO of the Arab Financial Services Company (AFS), said: “At AFS, we are proud to be the technical partner of Al Salam Bank in launching the ASB Pay Business platform, which was developed to meet the aspirations of customers in various business sectors, especially small and medium enterprises. Our contribution lies in providing a secure and advanced payment infrastructure that allows a flexible and smooth payment experience across multiple channels, thus enhancing the growth and development of businesses in an accelerated digital environment. This strategic partnership with Al Salam Bank reflects “Our shared vision is to drive innovation in digital payments and enhance financial inclusion by empowering merchants with smart technology tools that support the long-term sustainability of their businesses.”
This cooperation between Al Salam Bank and AFS confirms the commitment to supporting the small and medium enterprises sector as it is a fundamental pillar of national economic growth. The ASB Pay Business platform is a strategic enabler that contributes to expanding access to modern digital financial services and enhancing business sustainability and competitiveness. The initiative also reflects the two institutions’ commitment to their social responsibility by supporting local entrepreneurship and developing a comprehensive and innovative digital banking environment.
