Saudi Investment Minister Emphasizes Role of Transportation, Logistics in Driving Global Development

Officials take part in the panel discussion at the Global Logistics Forum 2024. (SPA)
Officials take part in the panel discussion at the Global Logistics Forum 2024. (SPA)
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Saudi Investment Minister Emphasizes Role of Transportation, Logistics in Driving Global Development

Officials take part in the panel discussion at the Global Logistics Forum 2024. (SPA)
Officials take part in the panel discussion at the Global Logistics Forum 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih emphasized on Sunday the crucial role of transportation and logistics in driving global development.

During the opening session of the Global Logistics Forum 2024, Al-Falih highlighted the strategic significance of the Middle East, which serves as a pivotal link between East and West due to its prime geographical location.

He acknowledged the rapid advancements in Saudi Arabia’s transportation and logistics sectors, underscoring their direct impact on investment and the national economy.

Speaking on the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Al-Falih pointed out that the development of the transportation and logistics sectors is key to achieving a qualitative transformation both locally and regionally, empowering the private sector to play a more significant role in these sectors.

The session, “Logistics Builds Nations, and Nations Build Logistics”, included participation from leading Arab ministers, including Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser; Egypt’s Minister of Transport Major General Kamel Al-Wazir; the UAE’s Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, Suhail Al Mazrouei; and Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology Eng. Saeed Al-Maawali.

Al-Jasser emphasized that the logistics sector is crucial for realizing the objectives of Vision 2030 by prioritizing and enabling projects across various sectors, such as Hajj and Umrah, tourism, trade, industry, and quality of life. Aligning these priorities has significantly contributed to economic growth and development in the Kingdom.



Turkish Delegation to Visit Syria to Discuss Energy Cooperation

(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
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Turkish Delegation to Visit Syria to Discuss Energy Cooperation

(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
(FILES) Syrian refugees who live in Türkiye walk with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

A delegation from Türkiye's energy ministry will visit Syria "soon" to discuss possible energy cooperation including transmitting electricity to ease power shortages, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said late on Monday.
Türkiye, which backed Syrian opposition fighters who toppled President Bashar al-Assad this month after a 13-year civil war, has reopened its embassy in Damascus and its intelligence chief and foreign minister have met with de-facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Erdogan last week said that Ankara would do whatever necessary for the reconstruction of Syria, including improving energy ties.
"A delegation from the Energy Ministry will visit Syria as soon as possible and will conduct examinations on electricity and energy infrastructure of Syria," Bayraktar told reporters, according to Reuters.
The Turkish delegation will also discuss energy cooperation with the new Syrian government and Türkiye's possible assistance on the issue, Bayraktar added.
"The main problem in Syria in the field of energy is the electricity (shortage) at the moment. A formula will be sought (for Türkiye) to provide electricity to Syria," he added.
Türkiye currently provides electricity to some parts of northern Syria where it has mounted four military operations since 2016.