Riyadh: The Council of Economic and Development Affairs held a meeting via video conference. The meeting commenced with a review of the monthly report from the Ministry of Economy and Planning, discussing global economic developments and projected growth for 2026. The report considered the potential impacts on the national economy and its adaptability to global changes, highlighting positive trends in various economic indicators like GDP growth, non-oil activities, and industrial production.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the council approved the conclusion of the Privatization Program, marking the end of its initiatives. The program's performance and achievements were evaluated, noting its role in boosting private sector participation, improving government asset efficiency, and fostering an investment-friendly legislative environment. This transition aligns with the adoption of the National Privatization Strategy, aimed at maximizing impact and identifying opportunities in priority sectors.
The council also reviewed a presentation by the Office of Project Management, focusing on the follow-up of decisions and recommendations from the fourth quarter of 2025. This presentation underscored the council's commitment to ensuring entities fulfill assigned tasks, offering a detailed overview of progress and achievement levels.
Additionally, the council was briefed on various economic summaries, including the Foreign Trade Indices Bulletin, GDP and National Accounts Bulletin, and reports on the Consumer and Wholesale Price Indices. The council then made necessary decisions and recommendations based on these briefings.