Arabic
The Council of Ministers,
after perusal of Royal Court File 43696 dated 16 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [13 December 2024], which includes the Minister of Commerce, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Competitiveness Center, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Economic Business Center Telegram 19521 dated 14 Jumada Al-Thani 1446 [11 December 2024], regarding the merger of the National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Economic Business Center into a single center under the name “Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center”,
after perusal of the draft Statute of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center,
after perusal of the Statute of the National Competitiveness Center issued by Council of Ministers Decision 212 dated 25 Rabi Al-Thani 1440 [1 January 2019],
after perusal of the Statute of the Saudi Economic Business Center, issued by Council of Ministers Decision 456 dated 11 Sha’ban 1440 [17 April 2019],
after perusal of the Rules and Arrangements on the Manner of Treatment of Officers and Employees in the Sectors Targeted for Transformation and Privatization issued by Council of Ministers Decision 616 dated 20 Shawwal 1442 [1 June 2021],
after perusal of Council of Ministers Decision 611 dated 22 Sha’ban 1447 [10 February 2026],
after perusal of Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers Memo 317 dated 26 Muharram 1447 [21 July 2025], Memo 1234 dated 2 Rabi Al-Thani 1447 [24 September 2025], Memo 2318 dated 24 Jumada Al-Thani 1447 [15 December 2025], and Memo 3061 dated 29 Sha’ban 1447 [17 February 2026],
after perusal of Council of Economic and Development Affairs Recommendation 6-6/47/R dated 29 Jumada Al-Awwal 1447 [20 November 2025],
and after perusal of General Committee of the Council of Ministers Recommendation 9562 dated 4 Ramadan 1447 [21 February 2026],
hereby decides
First
The National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Economic Business Center are hereby merged into a single center under the name “Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center”. Provided that this merger does not entail any additional financial impact on the general budget of the state or a request to increase the approved ceilings.
Second
The Statute of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center is hereby approved in the form attached.
Third
As an exception to the provision of article 10(2) of the statute referred to in clause Second of this decision, the first financial year of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center begins from the date of entry into force of the statute and ends at the end of the next financial year of the state.
Fourth
The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center hereby replaces the National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Economic Business Center in respect of all their rights and obligations.
Fifth
The Board of Directors of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center shall supervise the merger process referred to in clause First of this decision, and it may establish the necessary procedures in this regard.
Sixth
As an exception to clause First of this decision and to the statute referred to in clause Second of this decision, the National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Economic Business Center shall continue to carry out their activities until the merger process is completed, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center.
Seventh
As an exception to the provision of article 4(1) of the statute referred to in clause Second of this decision, Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center until a chairman of the board is appointed in accordance with the provision of that paragraph.
Eighth
The financial and administrative regulations of both the National Competitiveness Center and the Saudi Economic Business Center must continue to apply to their employees until the Board of Directors of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center adopts the regulations of the center, and the status of these employees must be addressed in accordance with the Rules and Arrangements on the Manner of Treatment of Officers and Employees in the Sectors Targeted for Transformation and Privatization issued by Council of Ministers Decision 616 dated 20 Shawwal 1442 [1 June 2021].
Ninth
The phrase “Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center” hereby replaces the phrase “National Competitiveness Center” and the phrase “Saudi Economic Business Center” wherever they occur in laws, statutes, orders, royal decrees, decisions, regulations, and others.
Tenth
The exercise by the Board of Directors of the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center of its powers stipulated in article 5(5) of the statute—referred to in clause Second of this decision—must be in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Non-Oil Revenue Development Center, until the provisions relating to the National Framework for Fees and Charges, issued in this regard by Council of Ministers Decision 611 dated 22 Sha’ban 1447 [10 February 2026], enter into force.
Eleventh
1․ The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center is the legislative and supervisory reference entity for the unified physical service centers. Government entities wishing to establish or operate physical centers to serve the business sector shall coordinate with the center in order to obtain its necessary approval, without prejudice to the relevant legal provisions.
2․ The provision of any service at the unified physical service centers—stipulated in article 3(9) of the statute referred to in clause Second of this decision—must not preclude the provision of the same service at the relevant entity and its branches.
Twelfth
The provision of services by the Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center through the employees of the relevant entities, in accordance with article 3(9) of the statute referred to in clause Second of this decision, must be based on rules adopted by the board of directors of the center in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, provided that these rules cover matters relating to the regulation of the relationship between the employees of the relevant entities and the center, as well as the granting of any benefits to them.
Thirteenth
The Saudi Competitiveness and Business Center shall review the laws, statutes, orders, royal decrees, and decisions in light of the provisions of clause First of this decision. If it finds the need to amend any of its provisions—which directly or indirectly relate to its work—it shall submit matters it deems necessary in this regard.
The Prime Minister
Issued on: 7 Ramadan 1447
Corresponding to: 24 February 2026
Published in Umm Al-Qura 5149 issued on 13 March 2026.
