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Vision 2030 Transforms Saudi Arabia into a Global Logistics Platform

Jeddah Islamic Port (Saudi Ports Authority)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Saudi Ports Authority)
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Vision 2030 Transforms Saudi Arabia into a Global Logistics Platform

Jeddah Islamic Port (Saudi Ports Authority)
Jeddah Islamic Port (Saudi Ports Authority)

In a global landscape rocked by supply chain disruptions, Saudi Arabia has emerged as an indispensable pillar of stability on the international logistics map. Over the past decade, the Kingdom has demonstrated an exceptional ability to overcome global shocks with greater strength, relying on the Vision 2030 approach based on resilience and proactivity.

This systematic investment in "strengths" was not merely a response to local development requirements but also the construction of a cross-border economic defensive shield, transforming current challenges into a launching pad for global leadership.

In light of the Vision, the Kingdom's geostrategic location has transformed from a static comparative advantage into a dynamic tool that has shaped a new economic reality. This was achieved through the high-quality connectivity between vital waterways from the Arabian Gulf in the east to the Red Sea in the west.

This interconnectedness, supported by advanced air and rail transport platforms, has not only enhanced the Kingdom's position as a link between three continents but also made it a vital artery ensuring the sustainability of international trade. It has proven the national system's ability to transform geopolitical challenges into pioneering opportunities that guarantee global prosperity.

Institutional Harmony

The journey of comprehensive development began with the reorganization of the logistics system, aiming to enhance performance efficiency and achieve the highest degree of integration among its various sectors.

This was embodied in the transformation of the Ministry of Transport into the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, leading institutional harmony that brings together the Authority General Transport, ports, and civil aviation under its umbrella.

This reform did not stop at the organizational aspect but extended to enhancing the operational role of national entities. This included empowering the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) and establishing new strategic entities such as Riyadh Air, the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, the General Authority for Roads, and the National Transport Safety Center.

The system also witnessed a qualitative transformation in the postal services sector through the development of the SPL institution and the expansion of its services to meet modern logistics requirements.

Roadmap Towards Strategic Certainty

National strategies for transport, logistics services, and aviation have contributed to creating a state of "strategic certainty" regarding the sector's future, supported by colossal infrastructure projects that ensure sustainable growth through:

- Air Expansion: Working on establishing leading international airports, such as King Salman International Airport, and the new Abha and Jazan airports, in parallel with launching the "Air Connectivity Program" to enhance global access.

- Smart Logistics Centers: Launching the master plan for logistics centers, which includes establishing 59 centers (24 of which were activated by the end of 2025), and developing ports to become "smart ports" that rely on digitalization as a fundamental pillar.

- Rail Connectivity: Expanding the railway network and connecting the northern lines with the eastern ones (Jubail-Dammam), which has provided low-cost, highly reliable logistics solutions.

How the Kingdom Digitalized the Future of Investment?

The logistics environment has undergone fundamental development, enabling it to assume a prominent position as an attractive destination for global investment, thanks to the adoption of a comprehensive digitalization strategy for services and integrated connectivity through unified digital platforms. This transformation has led to enhanced ease of doing business by simplifying regulatory procedures and automating license issuance, making it more flexible and faster in responding to market demands.

This digital path has also contributed to raising the efficiency of real-time coordination among various regulatory bodies, which in turn has shortened the "investor's journey" and solidified reliability levels in national logistics operations.

In terms of direct economic impact, these digital enablers have played a pivotal role in stimulating growth and diversification rates. They have contributed to revitalizing re-export sectors and providing effective logistical support for non-oil exports. Technical integration has also facilitated the access of local products to international markets according to competitive standards in terms of efficiency and cost, making the logistics system a key driver for supporting cross-border trade and expanding the Saudi economy's global influence.

The Language of Numbers

These strategic efforts culminated in tangible progress for the Kingdom in the most important international forums, reflecting the efficiency of sustainable infrastructure investment and continuous improvement in logistics performance.

This was embodied by the Kingdom reaching the top ten countries globally in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) issued by the World Bank, in addition to ranking second globally in growth rates among G20 countries, with a growth of 32 percent compared to 2024.
The Kingdom also maintained its strong presence among the top four centers in the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index for 2025, which confirms the competitiveness and stability of the Saudi investment environment.

To facilitate global trade movement, the Kingdom achieved qualitative leaps in the efficiency of border operations; it successfully reduced customs clearance times from 9 hours in 2021 to less than two hours by 2025. This achievement coincided with a strategic expansion in logistics facilities, represented by an increase in the number of licensed deposit areas to 21, which enhanced the Kingdom's ability to accommodate global goods flows and support supply chain fluidity with efficiency and capability.

The Story of 24 Million Containers

The geography of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea are among the most vital and influential waterways in international trade movement, which gives Saudi ports, extending along the eastern and western coasts, immense strategic importance as fundamental pillars of global navigation.

By serving as logistics convergence points connecting three continents, these ports have succeeded in solidifying their pivotal role in ensuring the sustainability of global supply chains and the flow of goods, transforming the Kingdom's geographical advantages into an active economic force that supports the stability of cross-border trade.

In pursuit of maximizing these gains, the Kingdom launched a series of qualitative development projects to modernize port infrastructure and expand shipping services. These efforts resulted in a major leap in handling capacity, which increased by 50 percent to reach 24.3 million standard containers, in parallel with a tangible increase in the number of added maritime shipping services, totaling 101 services.

This expansion has not only contributed to increasing the Kingdom's interconnectedness with global markets but also enabled it to establish new shipping routes that enhance flexible access to key international ports.

This development vision has extended beyond ports to include the establishment of integrated logistics zones and centers designed to be attractive incubators for major investments. These zones allow investors to maximize the benefits of integrated logistics services for their business growth, in addition to activating re-export activities, which represent added value to the national economy.

Through this integrated system, the Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to its role as a global leader in the maritime sector, providing an advanced logistics environment that ensures efficient operational processes and supports the sustainability of global economic growth.
 

The Vision Train: A Railway Artery Connecting Cities to Ports

The Kingdom invested early in building a robust aviation sector, recognizing the importance of connecting with the world, facilitating the arrival of pilgrims, and finding innovative solutions for cargo shipping.

The sector underwent pivotal regulatory stages, starting with the establishment of the Civil Aviation Department and Saudi Arabian Airlines, leading to structural independence with the establishment of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, which laid the foundations for institutional work that paved the way for major transformations aligning with growing international requirements.

With the emergence of Vision 2030, the Kingdom foresaw exceptional opportunities to develop the aviation sector and effectively contribute to economic growth, leveraging its strategic location connecting the world's three continents.

This vision was translated through the reorganization of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the establishment of new strategic entities, such as Riyadh Air and the Saudi Air Navigation Services Company, in parallel with the launch of the National Aviation Strategy and the Air Connectivity Program, which aimed to expand international reach through new air routes connecting Saudi cities with global capitals.

In the context of infrastructure modernization, the pace of establishing major international airports accelerated, with development work continuing across all regions of the Kingdom, alongside accelerating private sector involvement in airport management to enhance operational efficiency.

Thanks to these efforts, Saudi airports today have transformed into pivotal connectivity hubs linking global and regional destinations, which has contributed to achieving qualitative leaps in passenger numbers and air cargo activity.

The Kingdom is steadily moving towards its ambitious targets of connecting to 250 global destinations via 29 airports, serving 330 million passengers, and transporting 4.5 million tons of cargo annually by 2030.

Railway Network

The story of railways in the Kingdom began as a strategic necessity to connect the capital, Riyadh, with Dammam Port, leading to the establishment of the Saudi Railways Organization to enhance import and export movement and freight transport.

With the expansion of development projects, especially in the mining sector, the Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) was established to extend the network, reaching the farthest north of the Kingdom, thereby creating a solid infrastructure for transporting passengers, minerals, and commercial goods with high efficiency.

With the launch of Vision 2030, the railway sector entered an ambitious phase aiming for complete integration with all other logistics sectors.

This phase witnessed an unprecedented expansion in train operations, making Saudi cities more interconnected; the north of the Kingdom was linked to its center and east, providing reliable and sustainable transport solutions. Work on the Haramain High-Speed Railway also accelerated, representing a qualitative leap in serving pilgrims, connecting Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah, and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh with the highest standards of speed and safety.

Today, the Kingdom is moving towards a more interconnected future through ambitious projects that support tourism activity and enhance regional connectivity between Saudi cities and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

This advanced network is no longer just a means of transport; it has become a fundamental pillar for enhancing the quality of life and supporting economic diversification by reducing logistics costs and improving service reliability, thereby solidifying the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub connecting industrial centers, ports, and urban communities.

It is clear that the radical transformation witnessed by the Saudi logistics sector is not just a race towards numbers and indicators, but a complete reshaping of the "Kingdom's economic identity" to become the vital and reliable link for global trade.

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Business

Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
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Private Sector Fuels Saudi Arabia’s Growth Lead Among G20 Economies

A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)
A view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (SPA)

Fueled by a surging private sector and expanding non-oil industries, Saudi Arabia is poised to become the G20’s fastest-growing economy in 2027, overtaking India, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecasts released last week.

The IMF expects the Saudi economy to grow by 7.9%, ahead of India’s projected 7%, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic transformation as regulatory and legislative reforms unlock new investment opportunities.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Investment said the forecast underscores the economy’s strength and resilience while opening new avenues for investment and growth.

Momentum in the private sector and the expansion of non-oil activities are helping steer the Kingdom toward a more diversified, sustainable and investment-friendly economy, it said.

The IMF sharply raised its forecast for Saudi Arabia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 7.9%, from 5.5% in July, an upward revision of 2.4 percentage points that reflects prospects for recovery from the fallout of war and disruptions to trade and energy markets.

The outlook also highlights the structural transformation underway through Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as non-oil sectors take on a greater role in driving growth and strengthening the economy against global headwinds.

The focus now shifts to whether the Kingdom can sustain that momentum and turn rapid expansion into lasting investment opportunities and jobs.

New sectors drive growth

Saudi Arabia’s projected lead among G20 economies signals a deeper structural shift away from its traditional reliance on oil revenues, according to Fahad Binjumah, an economist and former member of the Saudi Shura Council.

The private sector is emerging as a major engine of growth, bolstered by regulatory and legislative reforms, expanding investment opportunities and the rising contribution of non-oil industries.

Binjumah told Asharq Al-Awsat that the shift marks Saudi Arabia’s gradual transition from direct government stimulus toward a more diversified and productive economy capable of generating growth.

Major government investments have helped lay the groundwork, creating a stronger business environment and opening new sectors to local and foreign investors, he explained.

Strategic projects in tourism, industry, logistics and technology are also generating economic activity well beyond their immediate scope. Investment spending is rippling through supply chains and small and medium-sized businesses, widening commercial opportunities and drawing more parts of the economy into the growth cycle.

But for Binjumah, topping the G20 growth rankings is less important than sustaining that performance over the coming years.

"The main challenge is to turn economic expansion into long-term productivity gains by improving the efficiency of domestic businesses, boosting non-oil exports, developing skills and increasing private investment independent of government spending," he stressed.

Progress on those fronts would propel Saudi Arabia into a more advanced stage of economic diversification, where success is measured not simply by rapid growth but by a more resilient, competitive economy that generates added value and sustainable jobs, he added.

Reforms bolster economic resilience

Saudi Arabia’s rise in G20 growth projections is the product of years of economic reform, not a short-lived boost in any single sector, said Nasser Al-Sahli, president of the Saudi Governance Center.

Legislative changes, easier business procedures, wider investor participation and the restructuring of key sectors have made the economy more attractive to investment and better equipped to turn capital into productive activity, Al-Sahli told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The private sector’s expanding role shows that these reforms are increasingly translating into tangible economic gains, he said.

Their importance has grown amid geopolitical tensions, global trade and energy disruptions, and risks surrounding strategic maritime routes in the region. A broader non-oil economic base is helping Saudi Arabia diversify its income sources and reduce its exposure to external shocks.

"Economic diversification does not mean complete isolation from global developments, but building a productive and investment system capable of adapting to them and maintaining business continuity under different conditions," Al-Sahli said.

The next test will be whether Saudi Arabia’s private sector can move beyond capitalizing on opportunities created by government projects to driving investment expansion independently and sustainably, he went on to say.

That will require stronger productivity and competition, better access to financing, greater innovation and a larger international footprint for Saudi companies.

Al-Sahli said the real significance of Saudi Arabia’s projected G20 lead lies not in the ranking itself but in its ability to turn growth momentum into a more diversified and efficient economy, powered by a private sector that creates high-quality jobs and lasting economic value.

How G20 economies rank

India is forecast to rank second in G20 economic growth in 2027 at 7%, followed by Indonesia at 5.1%, China at 4% and Türkiye at 3.6%, according to IMF figures presented by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

Argentina ranks sixth at 3.5%, followed by South Korea at 2.8% and the United States at 2.3%. Brazil is projected to grow by 1.9%, Mexico by 1.8%, Canada by 1.7%, Australia by 1.6%, South Africa by 1.3% and the United Kingdom by 1.2%. Germany is forecast to expand by 1.1% and Russia by 0.9%, while France and Japan are each expected to grow by 0.7%.

Business

Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Leads G20 with 7.9% Growth Forecast in 2027

King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is projected to lead the G20 countries in economic growth forecasts for 2027, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates. The IMF projects the Kingdom's real GDP to grow by 7.9 percent, the highest rate among the group's economies, as shown in data published by the Saudi Ministry of Investment.

The Fund had previously raised its projections for the Kingdom's real GDP growth to 7.9 percent, compared to 5.5 percent in its July estimates, an increase of 2.4 percentage points.

This revision comes amid expectations of economic activity regaining momentum as regional conflict-related disruptions subside, and oil production and exports gradually return to normal levels.

India ranked second among G20 countries with a projected growth rate of 7 percent, followed by Indonesia at 5.1 percent, then China at 4 percent, and Türkiye at 3.6 percent, according to IMF data reviewed by the Ministry.

Argentina came in sixth with projected growth of 3.5 percent, followed by South Korea at 2.8 percent, then the United States at 2.3 percent. Projections for Brazil stood at 1.9 percent, Mexico at 1.8 percent, Canada at 1.7 percent, Australia at 1.6 percent, South Africa at 1.3 percent, and the United Kingdom at 1.2 percent.

Germany registered projected growth of 1.1 percent, Russia 0.9 percent, while projections for France and Japan were 0.7 percent each, with Italy coming in last at 0.6 percent.

Growth Forecasts Revised

In an assessment of the recovery path, the Fund noted that the diversification of Saudi energy export routes limits the Kingdom's vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions compared to some regional economies. This is due to the the East-West Pipeline's ability to divert some oil exports to Yanbu Port on the Red Sea, away from the Strait of Hormuz.

The IMF's estimates align with the World Bank's projections, which also raised its forecast for Saudi economic growth in 2027 to 7.9 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in its April estimates, while anticipating a 2 percent contraction in GDP during 2026.

Globally, the IMF expects the world economy to grow by 3.1 percent in 2026 before rising to 3.4 percent in 2027, placing Saudi Arabia's growth forecast at more than double the projected global rate for the coming year.

The Saudi Ministry of Investment said that the Kingdom’s leading growth outlook among G20 countries reflects the strength and resilience of its economy and opens up broader prospects for investment and growth.

This is supported by strong private-sector momentum and the expansion of non-oil activities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s shift toward a more diversified, sustainable, and investment-friendly economy.

Business

Saudi Arabia to Host Global Water Innovation Conference in Jeddah

Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Global Water Innovation Conference in Jeddah

Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)
Participants at a previous edition of the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference. (Saudi Water Authority)

Saudi Arabia will host water industry experts from more than 140 countries in Jeddah from December 14 to 16 for a conference focused on harnessing innovation to tackle growing water security challenges.

Organized by the Saudi Water Authority, the Innovation Driven Water Sustainability Conference (IDWS 2026) is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants and 250 speakers, with an exhibition featuring over 150 international brands.

Bringing together researchers, investors, technology companies and water utility operators, the event aims to bridge the gap between scientific advances and the practical needs of the industry, helping promising solutions reach commercial markets.

Tariq Al-Ghafari, the authority’s vice president for research and emerging water technologies, described the conference as an opportunity to connect new technologies with financing and operational expertise, paving the way for wider adoption.

The gathering comes as pressure on water resources intensifies, creating growing demand for investment in infrastructure and technology.

The global market for water security and infrastructure management is estimated at $303.8 billion, while planned construction and engineering projects in the water and wastewater sectors exceed $1.2 trillion.

Meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals for clean water and sanitation will require an additional $131 billion to $140 billion annually, highlighting the scale of investment needed to expand access and modernize infrastructure.

According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, around 1.8 billion people live in households without water supplies on the premises.

Agriculture alone accounts for approximately 72% of global freshwater withdrawals, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, underscoring the importance of improving efficiency in water-intensive sectors.

Against this backdrop, the conference will explore ways to expand treated wastewater reuse, promote circular economy practices and apply artificial intelligence, digital technologies and data analytics to water management.

Discussions will also examine how regulation, financing and workforce development can speed up the adoption of new technologies, while improving efficiency across the water cycle, from production and treatment to resource recovery.

The program includes the MiyahThon innovation competition, startup showcases and the fourth edition of the Global Prize for Innovation in Water.

These initiatives are designed to bring innovators together with investors and water operators, giving emerging technologies a clearer path from development to commercial deployment.

By connecting research with investment and industry needs, the conference aims to help turn promising ideas into practical solutions as countries seek more efficient, resilient and sustainable water infrastructure.