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Saudi Govt Agencies Reveal Products, Programs for Digital Transformation

An MoU was signed on Monday between the Ministries of Energy and Communications and Information Technology, and Dawiyat Integrated Communications and Information Technology Company. (SPA)
An MoU was signed on Monday between the Ministries of Energy and Communications and Information Technology, and Dawiyat Integrated Communications and Information Technology Company. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Agencies Reveal Products, Programs for Digital Transformation

An MoU was signed on Monday between the Ministries of Energy and Communications and Information Technology, and Dawiyat Integrated Communications and Information Technology Company. (SPA)
An MoU was signed on Monday between the Ministries of Energy and Communications and Information Technology, and Dawiyat Integrated Communications and Information Technology Company. (SPA)

The first day of the LEAP 2023 conference in Riyadh on Monday witnessed a number of agreements and the launch of a package of platforms and digital products to maximize business.

Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman inaugurated a digital platform specialized in providing a number of services to individuals, institutions and government sectors. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Alsawaha.

The platform aims to facilitate business and support digital channels of communication with the business community, by increasing the efficiency of the government sector, promoting the quality of digital services, improving the user experience in electronic transactions, and governing the energy sector by taking advantage of emerging technologies and digital transformation, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Also on the sidelines of the event, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministries of Energy and Communications and Information Technology, and Dawiyat Integrated Communications and Information Technology Company, to invest in the optical fiber system, landing stations, international cable capacities, and data centers.

The agreement aims to provide an integrated digital infrastructure and improve the quality and speed of the Internet in the Kingdom.

Saudi Downtown, a company wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, to implement digital infrastructure and communication technologies in company projects. The PIF company projects are being developed in 12 cities across Saudi Arabia.

Eng. Ahmed Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, inaugurated a rehabilitation and social guidance platform, and oversaw the signing of four agreements with a number of specialized companies.

Meanwhile, Amin Al-Nasser, CEO of Saudi Aramco, revealed a strategic partnership to build Zoom’s first global data center in the Kingdom, with the aim to support the digital transformation ecosystem. The data center is expected to connect to the Zoom global data center network and will serve Saudi Arabia and the region.

He also said that additional funds had been allocated by the company to Wa’ed Ventures, increasing the size of its Kingdom-focused venture capital arm from $200 million to $500 million.

“Our establishment of a diversified network of partners has helped us maintain a track record of reliability, and our new strategic partnership with Zoom is expected to further enable innovative solutions focusing on the digital transformation ecosystem. Furthermore, with an expanded fund size, Wa’ed Ventures aims to facilitate the cross-pollination of innovation between the global and local markets,” he said.

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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.