Transport ministry seeks to develop 59 logistics zones in Saudi Arabia: Al-Jasser

Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services

Saudi Arabia targets around 59 logistics zones as part of its development plan for air, marine and road transport, said Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistic Services on the sidelines of the Budget Forum 2023.

Five new logistics contracts were inked in Jeddah port for the fulfillment of work integration.

Al-Jasser indicated that Saudi Arabia has a promising future in terms of logistics services, in addition to growing investments in the field.  

He also pointed out that there are 1,500 logistics licenses with billions in investment, after the approval of the unified logistics license.

The transport and logistics services system reaps the fruit of continued reforms and development in the system’s sectors, since the National Transport and Logistics Strategy has been launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last year. This was positively reflected on the international indicators in the system.

Al-Jasser added that 19 logistics zones were launched across the Kingdom to provide SAR 29 billion investment opportunities.

The first private logistics zone was also inaugurated at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, where Apple was announced as the first global investor.

The Kingdom’s ports ranked 8th globally in terms of operating efficiency, based on the World Bank report.

The transport and logistics services’ contribution to GDP rose by 16% year-on-year.

Moreover, more than 1,500 logistics services providers were licensed. Saudi Arabia seeks to grow the logistics market value to SAR 57 billion by 2030 from SAR 17 billion.

Railways operating efficiency rates increased to 100% with the transport of 4.9 million passengers, compared to 2021.

Further, the railway linking the Dammam–Riyadh line and the North-South line was also inaugurated and linked to the railway network in Jubail Industrial City. 
 

Saudi Arabia embarked on a project to link 200 cities and transport over 6 million passengers annually. 
 

The total number of jobs in the sector reached 288,000, a rise of 13% year-on-year. Nationals are employed in 92,000 jobs, a growth of 53% YoY.