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$15 Billion in Contracts Estimated at AFED 2018

A part of AFED 2018 exhibition. (SPA)
A part of AFED 2018 exhibition. (SPA)
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$15 Billion in Contracts Estimated at AFED 2018

A part of AFED 2018 exhibition. (SPA)
A part of AFED 2018 exhibition. (SPA)

The Armed Forces Exhibition for Diversity of Requirements and Capabilities (AFED 2018) registered around 57,600 manufacturing orders in Saudi Arabia, while the contracts amounted to more than $15 billion.

The exhibition, organized by the Saudi Ministry of Defense at its fourth session in Riyadh, was a platform for boosting local manufacturing. More than 120,000 visitors attended the event, which concluded on Sunday.

AFED 2018 focused on localization of local content by presenting 80,000 manufacturing opportunities to investors, with the participation of civil and military officials in Saudi Arabia and abroad.

About 68 international and 130 local companies participated in the exhibition, including research institutions at the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and Prince Sultan Advanced Research Institute.

The exhibition witnessed the signing of an agreement on the localization of military technology.

CEO of Middle East Propulsion Company Ltd, Abdullah al-Omari said it was signed with General Electric and the Saudi Air Force for the assembly and maintenance of new F15-S and F15-SA aircraft, Apache engines, and the Black Hawk T700 for more than $330 million.

He revealed that this agreement will generate revenues worth $693 million in the upcoming five years.

In addition, KACST offered a package of military and security projects that have been relocated to Saudi Arabia, such as a laser-guided short-range rocket powered by a solid fuel engine, as well as a short-range ballistic missile with a solid fuel engine.

The King Abdulaziz City also presented Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz’s initiative to desalinate water using solar energy in al-Khafji province to produce 60,000 cubic meters of desalinated water per day.

The Ministry of National Guard showcased at AFED four modern vehicles that were assembled locally at Ministry facilities. This led to the creation of 294 manufacturing opportunities and contributed to the support of local manufacturing and achieving Vision 2030.

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Logistics Zones Spread in Saudi Arabia to Consolidate World Trade

Containers are seen at King Abdul Aziz Port, also known as Dammam Port. SPA
Containers are seen at King Abdul Aziz Port, also known as Dammam Port. SPA
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Logistics Zones Spread in Saudi Arabia to Consolidate World Trade

Containers are seen at King Abdul Aziz Port, also known as Dammam Port. SPA
Containers are seen at King Abdul Aziz Port, also known as Dammam Port. SPA

Data has shown a spread of logistics areas in Saudi Arabia, bringing the total number of existing centers to 22 in the past year, a 267% increase compared to the base year 2021, with a total area exceeding 34 million square meters.

This year, several international companies announced the opening of new logistics areas, the latest of which was the opening of Maersk, the Danish international container shipping company, which represents the largest logistics investment in Jeddah port in Western Saudi Arabia valued at 1.3 billion riyals (350 million dollars).

Saudi Arabia also continues its efforts to enhance its transport and logistics services system, planning to reach 59 logistics areas by 2030, to strengthen competitiveness, and support trade and industrial movement.

According to the Warehousing and Logistics Statistics Publication 2023 of the General Authority for Statistics, the Eastern Region had the highest number of logistics centers, with 6 centers covering an area of 6.3 million square meters, followed by Riyadh Region and Makkah Region, each with 5 logistics centers, with a total area of 20 million square meters in Makkah and 4.9 million square meters in Riyadh.

The publication said data indicated that the total quantity of cargo imported and exported via maritime transport reached 308.7 million tons, and the quantity of external cargo via land transport reached 24.9 million tons. The quantity of cargo transported by railway was 14.3 million tons, while the quantity of cargo via air transport, both imported and exported, accounted for 918 thousand tons.

Data also revealed that the total number of warehouses in the Kingdom was 12,451, covering an area of 22.8 million square meters. Riyadh Region had the highest number of warehouses and area, with 6,584 warehouses covering an area of 10.6 million square meters, followed by Makkah Region with 2,224 warehouses, covering an area of 6.5 million square meters.

The number of general warehouse licenses was the highest, totaling 6,923 licenses, which constituted 55.6% of the total licenses. This was followed by humidity-controlled warehouses with 2,115 licenses, accounting for 17% of the total licenses, and refrigerated warehouses with 2,006 licenses, making up 16% of the total licenses.

In 2023, the number of valid licenses for good transport (activities) reached 7,963 licenses, where Riyadh Region had the highest number of active licenses at 1,996.

According to the data for 2023, the total number of sales outlets of postal service exceeded 1,300. The number of cargos reached over 140 million, with an average delivery time of 2.45 days.

As for the total number of customs clearance activity licenses valid for 2023, they amounted to 170 licenses. Customs authority licenses were the highest in the number of licenses valid for 2023, with 57 licenses, followed by air ports licenses with 47 licenses.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who is also Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Transport and Logistics, launched in 2023 the Master Plan for Logistics Centers, which aims to develop the infrastructure of the Kingdom’s logistical sector, diversify the local economy, and enhance Saudi Arabia's status as a leading investment destination and a global logistical hub.