Middle East’s Largest Logistics Park Runs on Renewable Energy in Western Saudi Arabia

 The logistics park will offer a set of clean logistical solutions that would connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The logistics park will offer a set of clean logistical solutions that would connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Middle East’s Largest Logistics Park Runs on Renewable Energy in Western Saudi Arabia

 The logistics park will offer a set of clean logistical solutions that would connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The logistics park will offer a set of clean logistical solutions that would connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) and Maersk announced on Wednesday the launching of the biggest comprehensive logistics zone in the Middle East at the Jeddah Islamic port, in western Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Mawani said that the logistics park, which will stretch over an area of 225,000 square meters, was being built at a total investment of SR1.3 billion ($346 million). Once operational, it will provide over 2,500 direct and indirect jobs.

The logistics park will offer a set of clean logistical solutions that would connect and facilitate the movement of supply chains, and deal with annual volumes of up to 200,000 containers of various products. The project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2024.

The area operates using renewable energy and applying solutions to decarbonize logistics services to achieve net zero emissions by 2040. It will be powered by 100 percent solar energy generated from rooftop panels spread over 65,000 square meters.

The trucks used for transportation will be electric cars to effectively reduce emissions.

According to the statement issued by Mawani, the zone will operate based on an advanced warehouse management system that applies modern technologies and digital solutions to manage inventory efficiently and provide unit-level tracking.

Moreover, the zone will have an advanced dashboard, which will improve competencies and build a competitive advantage for the beneficiaries of importers, exporters and shipping agents, in addition to an internal women’s academy that provides specialized training programs for women.

Omar Hariri, President of Mawani, emphasized the importance of the project, which he said would contribute to achieving the goals of the national strategy for transport and logistics services.

The zone will include storage and distribution areas that accommodate exports and imports of general merchandise, warehouses for refrigerated food products, in addition to an area for transshipment, air freight, and LCL goods, and an e-commerce center.

The project falls within the framework of the initiatives launched by Mawani to develop and offer investment opportunities for the private sector, and increase the number of logistical regions that include re-export to reach 30 zone by 2030.

It also comes in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services, which aim to consolidate the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center.

The statement noted that the comprehensive logistics zone at the Islamic port of Jeddah would support the growth of the logistics industry, contribute significantly to the economy and increase the volume of the Kingdom’s non-oil export share by 50%, creating growing career opportunities in the logistics sector.



Albudaiwi: Advantage Oman Forum Offers Valuable Investment Insights

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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Albudaiwi: Advantage Oman Forum Offers Valuable Investment Insights

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said that the Advantage Oman Forum is a valuable opportunity offered by Oman to discuss and review investment opportunities and initiatives, as well as future transformations in promising sectors in this field.
This came during Albudaiwi's participation in the first edition of the Advantage Oman Forum, which was held under the patronage and attendance of Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Sayyid Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, and in the presence of a number of ministers of the GCC countries, Sunday in Muscat. A group of senior officials and decision-makers participated in the forum, SPA reported.
The Secretary-General stated that Oman's Organisation of this forum reflects the insightful vision of the wise Omani leadership to strengthen the national economy and attract global investments, thus contributing to achieving sustainable development goals. He also praised the forum's activities and the workshops as well as the dialogue sessions it included, which provide the elements of success and sustainability for this forum, making it a regional and international platform and a destination for those interested in economic and investment affairs in Oman.
Furthermore, Albudaiwi added that Oman, with its attractive investment environment, advanced infrastructure, well-thought-out economic policies and significant economic, in addition to investment growth indicators, has become a destination for investors from around the world, stressing that this strengthens its position as a key pillar in the economies of the GCC countries and supports the council's aspirations for regional economic integration.
The Secretary-General concluded his statement by expressing his confidence that the forum will achieve positive results that will contribute to expanding the horizons of economic and investment cooperation between the GCC countries and the world, and support the comprehensive development process in the region.