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Saudi Initiatives Propel Kingdom to 4th Globally in Road Quality Index

Saudi Roads General Authority is achieving rapid milestones to enhance the efficiency of the road network in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Saudi Roads General Authority is achieving rapid milestones to enhance the efficiency of the road network in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi Initiatives Propel Kingdom to 4th Globally in Road Quality Index

Saudi Roads General Authority is achieving rapid milestones to enhance the efficiency of the road network in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
Saudi Roads General Authority is achieving rapid milestones to enhance the efficiency of the road network in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia continued to advance on the Road Quality Index (RQI) to the level of 5.7, taking the fourth place globally among the G20 countries, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report for 2023.
Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser attributed this success to the unwavering support lent by the leadership and the efforts exerted to maintain the Kingdom’s global leadership in road network connectivity, enhance road quality, improve operational efficiency, ensure safety, and meet the ambitious targets outlined in the national transport and logistics services strategy entailed in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
For his part, Badr Aldulami, the acting CEO of the Kingdom’s Roads General Authority (RGA), pointed to the “remarkable momentum” witnessed by the road sector in 2023, which contributed to this achievement after working on several vital projects and initiatives, coupled with implementing new and modern road network solutions.
The RGA had indicated that the WEF report revealed that road infrastructure quality in the Kingdom rose from 5.2 to 5.7 in 2023, with a growth rate exceeding 10%, which is the highest among the G20 countries.
Improving Road Safety, Quality
The RQI is one of the key global indices that measures the quality of road networks based on the study and analysis of a group of factors that affect road performance and user safety.
The RGA is actively working to boost road safety and quality standards, aligning with strategic sector targets where quality, safety, and traffic density are key.
Experts note Saudi Arabia’s progress in the global road quality index, ranking fourth among G20 nations, attributed to government efforts to enhance road infrastructure across cities.
Enhancing Cargo Transport
Logistics expert Nashmi Al Harbi credited Saudi Arabia’s rise in the global road quality index to government initiatives improving roads to high technical standards, facilitating smoother cargo transport and trade growth.
“The establishment of an independent roads authority in 2022 has further supported transportation and logistical services, contributing to economic development,” Al Harbi told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“Focus on high-quality road networks reflects the government’s commitment to advancing logistical services and trade facilitation,” he asserted.
Strategic Road Development
Economic analyst Abdulrahman Al Jubairi highlighted Saudi Arabia’s progress in the road infrastructure quality index, signaling successful government strategies post-establishment of a specialized authority aimed at improving operational efficiency and quality standards.
The recent evolution in Saudi Arabia's road network is expected to enhance user experience and logistical efficiency, supporting trade operations, Al Jubairi stressed.

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Saudi Minister of Industry Stresses Kingdom’s Commitment to Expanding Partnerships with Russia

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at Monday's event. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at Monday's event. (SPA)
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Saudi Minister of Industry Stresses Kingdom’s Commitment to Expanding Partnerships with Russia

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at Monday's event. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef speaks at Monday's event. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef stressed on Monday the Kingdom’s commitment to deepening its industrial and investment partnerships with Russia and leveraging joint opportunities across several priority sectors to achieve the mutual interests of both countries.

He made his remarks during the keynote speech at the International Industrial Exhibition “INNOPROM. Saudi Arabia,” underway in Riyadh and continuing until February 10. The event is witnessing wide participation from leaders in the public and private sectors, as well as major industrial companies from the Kingdom, Russia, and several other countries.

Alkhorayef said that Riyadh’s hosting of INNOPROM reflects the mutual interest between Saudi Arabia and Russia in boosting industrial and investment cooperation, building on historical relations spanning over a century.

This helps in expanding strategic industrial partnerships and stimulating targeted investments between the two countries, the minister added.

Riyadh’s hosting of the exhibition shortly after the Kingdom’s participation as a partner country in its previous edition in Russia underscores both countries’ commitment to deepening bilateral relations and developing cooperation in priority sectors, particularly industry, logistics, and supply chains, he went on to say.

Moreover, the minister underlined the Saudi and Russian governments' commitment to establish a strong cooperative foundation that provides a stable and secure investment environment for long-term investors.

Alkhorayef addressed the mining and minerals sector, noting that the Kingdom views Russia’s advanced experience in this field as a model to benefit from.

Promising opportunities exist in Saudi Arabia for Russian companies specializing in mining and mine services to participate in developing the vital sector, which constitutes the third pillar of the national industry under Saudi Vision 2030, he remarked.

The Kingdom also possesses an integrated system to support industrial projects, including advanced industrial cities, modern infrastructure, industrial financing, and training and qualification programs, alongside policies that support localization and knowledge transfer, all contributing to enabling high-value industrial investments and bolstering their sustainability, he noted.

INNOPROM is one of the leading international industrial exhibitions, organized annually for more than 15 years in Russia, attracting major industrial companies.

The current edition in Riyadh features broad Saudi and Russian participation, along with a business program that includes dialogue sessions and bilateral meetings aimed at building strategic partnerships that support the economic development objectives of both countries.

Business

Egypt Plans $1 Billion Red Sea Marina, Hotel Development

This picture shows a partial view of Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, October 7, 2025. (AFP)
This picture shows a partial view of Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, October 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Egypt Plans $1 Billion Red Sea Marina, Hotel Development

This picture shows a partial view of Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, October 7, 2025. (AFP)
This picture shows a partial view of Egypt's Red Sea city of Sharm el-Sheikh, October 7, 2025. (AFP)

Egypt announced plans on Monday for a new $1 billion marina, hotel and housing development on the Red Sea in a bid to boost the region's tourist industry.

Construction on the "Monte Galala Towers and Marina" project would ‌start in ‌the second ‌half ⁠of the ‌year and run for seven years, Ahmed Shalaby, managing director of the main developer, Tatweer Misr, said.

The 10-tower development - a partnership with the ⁠housing ministry and other state bodies ‌including the armed ‍forces' engineering authority - ‍would cost about 50 ‍billion Egyptian pounds ($1.07 billion), he added.

The project, also announced by the cabinet, will cover 470,000 square meters on the Gulf of Suez, about ⁠35 km south of Ain Sokhna, Shalaby said.

Egypt aims to boost total tourist arrivals to around 30 million by 2030, from around 19 million recorded by the tourism ministry in 2025.

Business

Saudi-Polish Investment Forum Explores Prospects for Economic and Investment Cooperation

The forum brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both countries with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation - SPA
The forum brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both countries with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation - SPA
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Saudi-Polish Investment Forum Explores Prospects for Economic and Investment Cooperation

The forum brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both countries with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation - SPA
The forum brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both countries with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation - SPA

The Saudi-Polish Investment Forum was held today at the headquarters of the Federation of Saudi Chambers in Riyadh, with the participation of Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih, Minister of Finance of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Domański, and Vice President of the Federation of Saudi Chambers Emad Al-Fakhri.

The forum brought together government officials, business leaders, and investors from both countries with the aim of enhancing economic cooperation, expanding investment partnerships in priority sectors, and exploring high-quality investment opportunities that support sustainable growth in Saudi Arabia and Poland.

During a dedicated session, the forum reviewed economic and investment prospects in both countries through presentations highlighting promising opportunities, investment enablers, and supportive legislative environments.

Several specialized roundtables addressed strategic themes, including the development of the digital economy, with a focus on information and communication technologies (ICT), financial technologies (fintech), and artificial intelligence-driven innovation, SPA reported.

Discussions also covered the development of agricultural value chains from production to market access through advanced technologies, food processing, and agricultural machinery. In addition, participants examined ways to enhance the construction sector by developing systems and materials, improving execution efficiency, and accelerating delivery timelines. Energy security issues and the role of industrial sectors in supporting economic transformation and sustainability were also discussed.

The forum witnessed the announcement of two major investment agreements. The first aims to establish a framework for joint cooperation in supporting investment, exchanging information and expertise, and organizing joint business events to strengthen institutional partnerships.

The second agreement focuses on supporting reciprocal investments through the development of financing and insurance tools and the stimulation of joint ventures to boost investment flows.

The forum concluded by emphasizing the importance of continued coordination and dialogue between the public and private sectors in both countries to deepen Saudi-Polish economic relations and advance shared interests.