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Saudi Crown Prince Launches 'National Strategy for Transport, Logistics'

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
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Saudi Crown Prince Launches 'National Strategy for Transport, Logistics'

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

In a move set to anchor Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub connecting three continents and to revamp the Kingdom’s transportation sector, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman unveiled on Tuesday the “National Strategy for Transport and Logistics.”

Apart from consolidating the Kingdom’s position as a logistics center for three of the world’s continents, the strategy looks to improve all transport services and enhance integration between logistics systems and modern modes of transport to support comprehensive development in Saudi Arabia.

It encompasses a host of vital projects that enable the achievement of economic and social goals and promotes effective governance models to enhance institutional work within the transportation sector.

This will be done in a manner consistent with the “Transport Ministry” rebranding to the “Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services.”

“The strategy will strengthen human and technical capabilities in the transport and logistics sector in the Kingdom,” affirmed the Crown Prince.

“It will enhance the connection with the global economy and enable our country to invest its geographical position in the middle of the three continents in diversifying our economy by establishing an advanced logistics services industry, building high-quality systems of services, and applying competitive business models to enhance productivity and sustainability in the logistics sector,” he explained.

“Transport and logistics are a major focus of the programs of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and a vital enabling factor for economic sectors towards sustainable development,” he added.

The Crown Prince pointed out that the strategy focuses on developing infrastructure, launching several platforms and logistic zones in the Kingdom, implementing advanced operating models and systems, and strengthening effective partnerships between the government and the private sector.

This direction is steered toward achieving four main goals: transforming Saudi Arabia into a logistics hub, enhancing livability across the Kingdom, enhancing fiscal sustainability, and improving public entities' performance.

The Crown Prince added that the strategy also aims to advance Saudi Arabia to place fifth globally in-transit passengers, increase international destinations to more than 250, and launch a new national air carrier.

These developments would enable other sectors such as Hajj, Umrah, and tourism to achieve their national goals.

Furthermore, the strategy will seek to raise the capabilities of the air cargo sector by doubling its capacity to reach more than 4.5 million tons.

“The strategy enables us to reach a capacity of more than 40 million containers annually including all associated investments in developing port infrastructure and enhancing its integration with the logistic areas in the Kingdom, as well as expanding its connectivity with international shipping lines, to integrate with rail and road networks, which contributes to improving the efficiency of the transport ecosystem and its economics,” said the Crown Prince concerning maritime transport.

He also clarified that railways provide services for both passengers and the freight transport sector through a network of 5,330 km of track, 450 km of which are in the Haramain high-speed railway between Makkah and Madinah, which is the most extensive high-speed transport project in the region.

The strategy will also upgrade the total length of future railways to an estimated 8,080 km, including the “Land Bridge” project, which spans over more than 1,300 km. It will have a capacity to transport over three million passengers and more than 50 million tons of freight annually, connecting the Kingdom’s ports on the coast of the Arabian Gulf with the ports of the Red Sea coasts.

Self-evidently, the plan and “Land Bridge” project unlock new and promising opportunities for the Kingdom’s rail line by having it pass through modern logistic centers, economic hubs, industrial cities, and mining activities.

The Crown Prince added that this would improve the Kingdom’s logistic performance index and rank Saudi Arabia among the top ten countries in the world in the field.

Moreover, the rail line will include an open market for operators and investors. The plan also encourages regional interconnection with Arab Gulf states by a railway line, positioning the Kingdom as an influential player in regional and international transport economies.

The Crown Prince stressed that the strategy is based on essential pillars such as the Kingdom’s major road networks, for which the Kingdom retains top global standing in terms of its connectivity.

Altogether, the Kingdom will be among the most internationally advanced countries in terms of road quality and safety, as the strategy includes many initiatives aimed at reducing the number of road traffic accidents, following the best global practices, as well as achieving efficient connectivity, and developing public transport services in Saudi cities.

The Kingdom is also looking to achieve sustainability goals, preserving the environment, reducing fuel consumption by 25%, and providing intelligent solutions that facilitate traveler mobility between cities and the transport of goods.

According to the Crown Prince, this will be implemented through adopting global cutting-edge and innovative technologies.

He pointed out that one of the strategy's main objectives is to increase the contribution of the transport and logistics sector to the national GDP.

While the contribution of this sector to the Kingdom’s GDP is currently about 6%, the strategy aims to raise it to 10%, making the transport and logistics sector a significant contributor to the national economy, enabling business growth, expanding investments, and increasing the sector’s annual non-oil revenues to reach about SAR45 billion in 2030.

“We are proud of the achievements made under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and are planning to move forward in making many more for our country and to advance its leading position in the world by increasing efforts and achieving more successes supported by our highly ambitious people,” noted the Crown Prince.

“We are all confident in our ability to achieve national goals in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” he asserted.

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War Weighs on Egypt’s Private Sector as PMI Hits Near Two-Year Low in March

People walk past a closed cinema as shops close early under a government-ordered curfew aimed at reducing energy costs in downtown Cairo on April 2, 2026. (AFP)
People walk past a closed cinema as shops close early under a government-ordered curfew aimed at reducing energy costs in downtown Cairo on April 2, 2026. (AFP)
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War Weighs on Egypt’s Private Sector as PMI Hits Near Two-Year Low in March

People walk past a closed cinema as shops close early under a government-ordered curfew aimed at reducing energy costs in downtown Cairo on April 2, 2026. (AFP)
People walk past a closed cinema as shops close early under a government-ordered curfew aimed at reducing energy costs in downtown Cairo on April 2, 2026. (AFP)

Egypt's non-oil private ‌sector deteriorated at its sharpest pace in almost two years in March, as the Middle East war drove up costs and dampened client demand, a closely watched business survey showed on Sunday.

The headline S&P Global Egypt Purchasing Managers' Index fell for a fourth consecutive month, dropping to 48.0 in March from 48.9 in February — its lowest reading since April 2024.

The ‌figure remained below ‌the 50.0 threshold that ‌separates growth ⁠from contraction, though ⁠it was broadly in line with the survey's long-run average of 48.2.

Output and new orders were the chief drags on the index, with both measures also hitting their lowest levels for nearly two years. Firms frequently blamed ⁠the Middle East conflict for dampening client ‌demand, partly through ‌intensifying price pressures.

In a first, business expectations for the ‌coming 12 months slipped into negative territory, with ‌companies citing uncertainty over the war as a key reason for pessimism, though the degree of gloom was described as mild.

David Owen, senior economist at ‌S&P Global Market Intelligence, nevertheless noted that "the latest figure of 48.0 still relates ⁠to ⁠annual GDP growth of around 4.3%," adding that "recent data suggests the domestic non-oil sector is on a solid underlying growth path."

Cost pressures remained a serious concern, however. Input prices surged at their joint-sharpest pace in one-and-a-half years, as firms cited fuel costs and other war-related commodity price increases, compounded by a stronger US dollar.

In response, companies raised their selling prices at the fastest rate in 10 months, though the increase remained modest overall.

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Middle East War Presents ‘Serious Risk’ for Africa, Warns Report

Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya's flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. (AP)
Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya's flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. (AP)
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Middle East War Presents ‘Serious Risk’ for Africa, Warns Report

Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya's flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. (AP)
Festus Mwirotsi, 34, scouts for pests and diseases in roses meant for export at Isinya Roses farm in Kajiado, Kenya, March 24, 2026, as Kenya's flower industry is losing up to $1.4 million a week as the Iran war cuts demand and disrupts shipping. (AP)

The Middle East war "presents a serious risk to Africa", the African Union and the African Development Bank (AfDB) said in a report seen by AFP Saturday.

The conflict threatens to increase the cost of living and curtail growth on the continent, the report warned.

The Middle East accounts for 15.8 percent of Africa's imports and 10.9 percent of its exports, the report noted.

"The conflict, which already has triggered a trade shock, could quickly turn into a cost-of-living crisis across Africa through higher fuel and food prices, rising shipping and insurance costs, exchange rate pressures, and tighter fiscal conditions," it added.

The growth rate of most African countries continues to be slower than before the Covid pandemic, it noted.

"A loss in output growth of 0.2 percentage points on Africa's GDP is projected for 2026 if it (the conflict) exceeds six months," it said.

"The longer the conflict lasts and the more severe the disruption to shipping routes and energy and fertilizer supplies, the greater the risk of a significant growth slowdown across the continent."

Reduced deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf will impact fertilizer production, limiting its availability during the crucial planting period up to May, it added.

- Currencies hit -

The report was compiled by the UN Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

According to recent data from the AfDB, the currencies of 29 African countries have already depreciated, increasing the cost of servicing external debt, making imports more expensive and reducing foreign exchange reserves,

Some countries could see some short-term gains, such as Nigeria for its oil exports or Mozambique for its LNG.

The rerouting of ships around Cape of Good Hope could benefit ports in Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia and Mauritius.

Kenya is establishing itself as a logistics hub in East Africa, while Ethiopian Airlines, the leading carrier in Africa, is serving as an "emergency air bridge" between the continent, Asia, and Europe, the report noted.

But these gains are likely to be uneven and will not offset the consequences for inflation, budgets, and food security in Africa, they warned.

Above all, the current crisis could hit the costs of humanitarian aid and divert donor funds towards other priorities.

Business

Taiwan Says It Has Assurances over LNG Supplies from 'Major' Country

The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
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Taiwan Says It Has Assurances over LNG Supplies from 'Major' Country

The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)

Taiwan has received ‌supply assurances from the energy minister of a "major" liquefied natural gas-producing country, the island's economy minister said on Saturday, speaking about the Iran war's impact on Middle East energy imports.

Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, had relied on Qatar for around a third of its LNG before the conflict, and has said it has secured alternate supplies for the months ahead from countries including Australia and the United States, said Reuters.

Speaking to ‌reporters in Taipei, ‌Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin said that ‌because ⁠Taiwan has good ⁠relationships with its crude oil and natural gas suppliers, neither adjusting shipment origins nor purchasing additional spot cargoes would be a problem.

Kung said that about two weeks ago the energy minister of a certain "major energy-producing country" proactively contacted him.

The person "explained to us that they ⁠would fully support our natural gas needs. ‌If we have any ‌demand, we can let them know," he added.

"Another country even ‌said that some countries have released strategic petroleum ‌reserves, and they could also help coordinate matters if Taiwan needs assistance," Kung said.

"This shows that Taiwan has in fact earned considerable goodwill internationally through the long-term trust ‌it has built over the years," he said.

He declined to name the countries involved.

Angela ⁠Lin, ⁠spokesperson for state-owned refiner CPC, said at the same news conference that crude oil inventories were being maintained at pre-conflict levels and overall petrochemical feedstock supplies have remained stable.

CPC Chairman Fang Jeng-zen said that to reduce dependence on the Middle East, a new contract with the US will see 1.2 million metric tons of LNG supplied annually, with even more to come in the future, including eventually from Alaska.

However, Taiwan is not considering importing crude or LNG from Russia, he added.