Riyadh, Safar 18, 1439, Nov 7, 2017, SPA -- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier and Chairman of the Council for Economic Affairs and Development, presided over a regular meeting of the Economic Affairs Council at Al Yamamah Palace today. The Council reviewed the recent Royal Decree to establish a supreme committee for the investigation of public corruption. The Chairman of the Council instructed the relevant ministers to ensure that national and multinational companies operating inside and outside the Kingdom, including those wholly or partly owned by individuals under investigation, were not disrupted while investigations into corruption were underway. The Council recognised the importance of these companies for the national economy, and the importance of ensuring that investors could operate with confidence in Saudi Arabia. The Council stressed that the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was fully committed to protecting the rights of individuals under investigation and would ensure their fair treatment by the justice system. The Council stated that tackling corruption within the rule of law and preventing the waste of public funds was crucial for the sustainable growth of the national economy, and for the fair treatment of all Saudis. Anti-corruption measures taken by the state were a key part of Vision 2030, and were vital to ensure stability and to protect investments by domestic and international investors and provides a level playing field. -- SPA 22:21 LOCAL TIME 19:21 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w531061