Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA)

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

CEDA, the Saudi Council of Economic and Development Affairs, is the supreme executive body responsible for economic policy, development programmes, and implementation of Vision 2030. Established by Royal Order in January 2015 and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, CEDA replaced the former Supreme Economic Council and was given expanded authority to coordinate the Kingdom’s entire economic transformation agenda. It functions as the central nervous system of Saudi Arabia’s national development strategy.

Foreign Direct Investment in Saudi Arabia: Comprehensive Overview

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Foreign direct investment in Saudi Arabia is a core Vision 2030 lever, combining MISA licensing reform, 100% foreign ownership in most sectors, special-zone incentives, and a 2030 target of SAR 388 billion ($103 billion) in annual FDI inflows. This complete guide explains the policy framework, priority sectors, investor protections, and remaining execution risks for companies assessing the Kingdom’s investment climate.

Historical Context

Saudi Arabia’s relationship with foreign investment has evolved significantly over decades. Early foreign investment was concentrated almost exclusively in the hydrocarbons sector, with international oil companies playing foundational roles before nationalisation. The Kingdom established the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) in 2000 to promote and regulate FDI, and acceded to the World Trade Organisation in 2005, signalling commitment to international trade and investment standards.

Economic-Policy on SAUDI VISION 2030 Intelligence Platform

Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA)

Foreign Direct Investment in Saudi Arabia: Comprehensive Overview

Historical Context