The Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) convened a virtual meeting on Sunday to examine multiple reports detailing the progress of Saudi Vision 2030 programs, national strategies, and economic indicators.
During the session, CEDA analyzed a Q1 2026 report compiled by the Strategic Management Office, which assessed the performance of Vision 2030 initiatives across its core pillars of a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. Despite regional shifts, the report indicated sustained positive progress and underscored the capability of the Saudi economy to adjust to regional and global changes.
Economic performance details were also presented in a quarterly report from the Ministry of Economy and Planning. It noted that the Kingdom's annual inflation rate stabilized at 1.8 percent in July 2026, marking its third consecutive month as one of the lowest globally. Furthermore, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the private sector remained in expansion territory for the fourth consecutive month, registering at 53.1 points. The report emphasized the national economy's competitiveness and its continuous adaptation to evolving global transformations.
The health sector's structural changes were also discussed following a presentation by the Ministry of Health. The transition of 10 health clusters from the Ministry to the Health Holding Company has been completed. This shift represents a key step in transitioning the Ministry of Health into a regulatory and supervisory body, aiming to improve preventative care, elevate the overall quality of healthcare, and support the Vision 2030 objective of raising national life expectancy to 80 years.
Additionally, the National Center for Privatization & PPP provided an update on the privatization framework during the first half of 2026. The presentation highlighted substantial progress in privatization and public-private partnership initiatives, alongside the performance of supervisory committees and strategic projects.
CEDA concluded the meeting by reviewing several administrative and economic items. These included draft regulations for the International Tourism Academy, the General Court of Audit's 65th annual report, development projects in the Eastern Province, and updated organizational guidelines for disability programs. The council also assessed reports on international partnerships, social support systems, foreign trade, and real estate indices, subsequently passing the necessary decisions and recommendations.
