Largest Logistics Center in Saudi Ports Starts Operating

Saudi Arabia moves forward in implementing transformation strategy in the logistics and port service industry (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia moves forward in implementing transformation strategy in the logistics and port service industry (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Largest Logistics Center in Saudi Ports Starts Operating

Saudi Arabia moves forward in implementing transformation strategy in the logistics and port service industry (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia moves forward in implementing transformation strategy in the logistics and port service industry (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Binzagr Company announced Tuesday that the Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) started the trial phase for the largest integrated logistics center in the Kingdom worth more than one billion riyals ($266,600).

Saudi Arabia has been working to expand its ports and establish logistics centers to facilitate import and export.

The center is one of the largest in the region, with an area of 97,000 square meters and a capacity of more than 110,000 pallets for storing medical and food products.

It includes 50-meter high shelves that operate automatically with the latest technologies for storing and rearranging goods, in addition to 56 gates to receive all types of trucks, and parking lots for 180 trucks at the same time to facilitate loading and unloading.

A strategic partnership has been concluded for storing and distributing medicines with the National Unified Procurement Company for Medical Supplies (NUPCO) and for storing Binzagr Company's food products as well as those for international companies in KAEC Industrial Valley.

Binzagr CEO Ahmed Binzagr announced that the center’s construction was in line with the latest international standards.

“It includes a mechanism to facilitate storage, distribution, transportation and value-added services.”

Binzagr also spoke of an area of more than 8,000 square meters for all customers to provide consumer products for the Saudi market.

KAEC CEO Ahmed bin Ibrahim Linjawy said Binzagr selected the Industrial Valley as the headquarters of its logistic services center because it is one of the largest logistics platforms in the Kingdom and a major advanced connection hub in international trade between the east and the west.

Linjawy pointed out that KAEC and its strategic sectors have become part of the Kingdom’s ambitious Vision 2030 by supporting the industrial sector and attracting foreign investments.

CEO of TAD Logistics Khalid al-Bawardi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the expansion of ports, the establishment of logistical centers and the simplification of import and export procedures are necessary to achieve Vision 2030’s objective to make the Kingdom a global logistics hub and help it advance in the global index of logistics services from 48th in the world to 25th, and become the first regionally.

This step will attract local and global investments, enable the Kingdom to create jobs and increase the contribution of the logistics sector to the GDP, Bawardi explained.



Saudi PIF, Italy’s SACE Sign $3 Bn MoU

The MoU focuses on providing financing support for cooperation between Italian companies in the private sector and PIF and its portfolio companies (PIF)
The MoU focuses on providing financing support for cooperation between Italian companies in the private sector and PIF and its portfolio companies (PIF)
TT

Saudi PIF, Italy’s SACE Sign $3 Bn MoU

The MoU focuses on providing financing support for cooperation between Italian companies in the private sector and PIF and its portfolio companies (PIF)
The MoU focuses on providing financing support for cooperation between Italian companies in the private sector and PIF and its portfolio companies (PIF)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and SACE, the Italian insurance and financial group fully owned by Italy’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening their bilateral partnership.

Under the agreement, PIF and SACE will collaborate on information-sharing and business expertise, with a particular focus on strategic sectors.

The MoU also includes a provision for SACE to consider offering up to an additional $3 billion in financing support for projects led by PIF and its portfolio companies.
The signing builds on an existing relationship between PIF and SACE, which has already facilitated financing exceeding $3 billion for PIF portfolio companies, with participation from several leading financial institutions.

As a key driver of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and a leading global investor, PIF is focused on diversifying and transforming the Saudi economy by developing new sectors, businesses, and job opportunities.

This latest agreement aligns with PIF’s ongoing strategy to expand financial collaborations, enhance global cooperation, and foster long-term international partnerships.

The MoU is part of PIF’s broader approach to maintaining strong relationships with international financial institutions while diversifying its financing instruments.

Rasees Al Saud, Head of Financial Institutions and Investor Relations, Global Capital Finance at PIF, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “The MoU represents another landmark in PIF’s strategy to enhance its strategic partnerships with leading international financial institutions and export credit agencies.”

“It will unlock opportunities for both Italian and Saudi companies to collaborate and exchange business knowledge, in line with our commitment to driving impactful and transformative investments globally and in Saudi Arabia,” said Al Saud.

CEO of SACE Alessandra Ricci emphasized the benefits for Italian companies: “We are proud to collaborate with a distinguished institution like PIF.”

“This partnership will facilitate Italian exports and strengthen trade and investment ties between our two countries,” noted Ricci.

“The memorandum opens significant opportunities for Italian companies, especially SMEs, enabling them to become key suppliers and participate in projects sponsored by PIF and its portfolio companies, all in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030,” she explained.

PIF currently holds an Aa3 rating from Moody’s (stable outlook) and an A+ rating from Fitch (stable outlook), reinforcing its financial stability and global credibility.