About 2000 experts specialized in the supply chain and logistics sector and several investors will attend the 3rd Saudi Logistics Conference in Riyadh on October 13 to 15. The three-day conference will be patronized by Minister of Transport Dr. Nabeel Mohamed Al-Amudi at the Four Seasons Hotel. It will witness the announcement by the Saudi Ports Authority of the largest integrated logistics zone in the Kingdom, exceeding 2 million square meters in its first phase. This will contribute to strengthening the Kingdom's strategic position as a hub in the trade exchange movement, especially between the three Continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The logistics zone will be a customs depository and re-export platform as part of its efforts to optimize the utilization of its advanced capacities at Saudi ports. The conference is among the most prominent logistics events in the world and has become a reference for many decision-makers locally and internationally, said General Overseer of the Marketing and Corporate Communication Department, Adviser to the Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Conference Supervisory Committee Yasser Abdulaziz Al Misfer. He said the conference aims at keeping pace with the continuous modernization in the supply and logistics services industry to contribute to the realization of the objectives of Vision 2030 in making the Kingdom a global logistics center that relies mainly on transport with the participation of the public and private sectors. Al Misfer said the conference offers an important opportunity to establish economic partnerships and promising investment opportunities. The conference is expected to receive about 7,000 visitors. It will discuss several key topics, including "simplifying the concepts of supply chain technology and logistics services and the future of logistics in the Kingdom in the light of digital development", as well as investment in Saudi logistics projects. It will also discuss renewable energy and supply chain issues, future logistics projects, analyses of big data and its impact on companies and organizations. On the first day, many workshops and lectures will be held to discuss plans to transform the Kingdom into a diversified and sustainable economic system. The session on "Integral efforts between agencies and harmony with logistical initiatives" will be addressed by each of Dr. Rumaih Mohammed Al-Rumaih, President of the Public Transport Authority; Eng. Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb, President of Saudi Ports Authority; Abdulhadi bin Ahmed Al-Mansouri, President of the General Authority for Civil Aviation; Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Hakbani, Governor of the General Customs Authority; Dr. Bashar bin Khalid Al-Malik, CEO of the Saudi Railways Company (SAR). The session will be moderated by the CEO of the Industrial Valley, Eng. Ayman Mansi. The second day will discuss several vital topics centered on the development of the transport industry, international challenges, and opportunities to achieve logistics services and successful trade across continents and cultures. Also on the agenda of discussion will be the key elements of the success of the supply chain sector in the fourth industrial revolution and industrial intelligence, the telecommunications sector and its impact on the digitization of the supply chain, in addition to the methodology of educational institutions and the readiness of companies to receive new talents and skills with modern science. The third day will address the future functions of the supply chain and how logistics will impact road transport technology. A workshop entitled "International Land Transport System (TIR): A New Era to Facilitate Cross-Border Trade and Transport" will be held and the conference will conclude with many recommendations in the same context. — SG
