13 Entities Highlight Development of Saudi Logistics Services at Shanghai Expo

The Saudi pavilion at the International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE) in Shanghai, China. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi pavilion at the International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE) in Shanghai, China. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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13 Entities Highlight Development of Saudi Logistics Services at Shanghai Expo

The Saudi pavilion at the International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE) in Shanghai, China. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi pavilion at the International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE) in Shanghai, China. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Thirteen Saudi entities working in the transportation and logistics services are highlighting the Kingdom’s infrastructure development in the maritime, land, air and rail sectors at China’s International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE), underway in Shanghai from June 25-27.

Saudi Arabia witnessed rapid progress in the transportation and logistics services sector after it developed a national strategy in 2021 that defines the country’s ambitious path and goals to consolidate its position as a global logistics hub linking the three continents.

Entities participating in the Shanghai exhibition include the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, the Ministry of Investment, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Services Program (NIDLP), the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Transport General Authority, as well as the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, and other bodies concerned with transportation and logistics services.

The participation of Saudi government entities aims to shed light on the progress achieved and work to promote cooperation with local and international markets with the aim to develop the sector, take advantage of the Kingdom’s distinctive geographical location, and enact regulations and legislation to create a stimulating and attractive investment environment that will transform Riyadh into a global logistics platform.

The expo is considered Asia’s leading trade fair for logistics, transportation, information technology and supply chain management. It also serves as a business platform for the logistics and transportation industry and features comprehensive programs and a number of conferences.



Saudi Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
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Saudi Giga-project Diriyah Agrees Deals Worth $1 bln with European Firms, Says CEO

Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo
Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Authority reacts during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

Diriyah, one of Saudi Arabia's giga-projects, has agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion with European firms and is in talks to attract more foreign capital, its CEO said.

Diriyah, located at a UNESCO World Heritage site outside the capital Riyadh, has been backed by PIF investments worth a total of around 20 billion riyals ($5.33 billion) in 2023 and 2024, and should get 12 billion riyals more next year, its CEO said.

It has recently agreed deals worth nearly $1 billion in total with an Italian developer and a French company and is in talks with several foreign investors looking to buy equity stakes in hotels and other real estate developments, Jerry Inzerillo told Reuters in New York this week.

"There's a lot of interest from America, a lot of interest from every country," he said. "We'll work with any country that can deliver quality and stay on time."

Foreign investors have already bought stakes in several projects in Diriyah, said Inzerillo, with more to come.

"A lot of people can see that it's built, it's doable; it's no longer renderings, no longer 'you wait and see' ... So now we're seeing a big spike in interest in foreign investment".

Inzerillo said investment priorities have changed because of upcoming events such as the Expo 2030 world fair, which Riyadh last year won the right to host. But the pace and scope of the Saudi giga-projects have not been scaled back, he said.

"It's a realignment, a re-prioritization ... not a reduction," he added.