Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser said on Sunday that the Kingdom has significantly enhanced its logistical capabilities, bolstering the national economy.
Al-Jasser spoke at the Supply Chain and Logistics Conference 2024, which he inaugurated at the Hilton Granada Hotel in Riyadh. The event was attended by ministers, senior officials, executives from supply chain and logistics companies, and representatives from global and local organizations, alongside leaders of prominent public and private sector entities.
In his opening remarks, he said: “The sixth edition of the conference comes amidst the remarkable growth and prosperity witnessed by the Kingdom’s logistics and supply chain sectors.”
He said the progress is a direct result of the unwavering support provided by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
The minister highlighted the Kingdom's continued advancements in international rankings for container handling in 2024. He noted that Saudi ports gained 231.7 additional points in the maritime network connectivity index published by UNCTAD and added 30 new shipping lines since the start of 2024, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s vital role in facilitating global trade and boosting the logistics sector.
He also emphasized the significance of the Crown Prince’s launch of the Master Plan for Logistics Centers and the Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative, reflecting the leadership’s strategic focus on this sector.
Al-Jasser pointed out that, thanks to this support, Saudi Arabia has significantly enhanced its logistical capabilities, which has bolstered the national economy. Global companies have shown increased interest in the Kingdom’s logistics sector, leading to the establishment of 18 logistics zones in ports with investments exceeding SAR 10 billion.
He reiterated the Kingdom's commitment to further enhancing its logistical capabilities, facilitating exports, supporting supply chains, and advancing its performance in global logistics indices.
He outlined efforts to enhance maritime routes, expand air freight, increase rail freight, and activate logistics centers to support sustainable development, solidifying Saudi Arabia's position as a global logistics hub and a critical link in international supply chains.
