Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, commended the existing partnership between the transport and logistics services system and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) in developing the logistical sector in terms of the interconnectivity of systems and formed committees and joint activities related to reducing licensing periods and other facilities that contributed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's advancement in several indicators of logistical work, adding that the Kingdom, with the support of the leadership, is shifting quickly into a global logistical hub in implementing the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and a prominent Global logistical mark. Al-Jasser made the remarks during a panel discussion held under the theme "An Investment-Friendly Logistics Environment (Transparency & Efficiency)" as part of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Conference. The minister referred to the high efficiency of Saudi ports, where King Abdullah Port was ranked first globally and Jeddah Port was ranked eighth, noting that the World Bank has also referred to the high efficiency of Saudi ports globally and the achievement of the Kingdom's ports internationally among 370 ports around the world. He stressed the efficiency of reform and development programs led by HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the high operational efficiency which instills the status of the Kingdom as a global logistical hub. He added that with the support of the wise leadership, we are currently witnessing the establishment of the logistics industry for the first time in the Kingdom to enhance the use of the Kingdom's strategic location under its ambitious vision. The minister added that the launch of 19 logistics zones in the Kingdom's cities supports economic growth and provides investment opportunities worth SAR 29 billion, supporting the Kingdom's position as a global logistics platform, where major international companies such as "Maersk International" and "Apple" and others have announced starting their business in Saudi logistics zones, which means that the Kingdom's transport and logistics system has become a destination for major international companies to invest in, noting that more than 1,500 local, regional and global logistics services companies have been licensed, which contributes to supporting sustainable development and generating more job opportunities and the goal of raising the volume of the Saudi logistics market from 17 billion to 57 billion in 2023. The minister also spoke of technology and it being a key pillar to the ministry and its objectives for the growth of the logistics sector, referring to a program for the preparation of legislative and policy frameworks for autonomous vehicles and electric vehicles that are being finalized, noting that our goal is to instill and sustain green logistics services and operation in the transport and logistics system. He added that the Kingdom's aviation sector has undergone major changes, including the classification of 4 Saudi airports among the top 100 global airports and the completion of the institutional transformation of 25 airports, increasing operational capacity at Saudi airports and inaugurating many expansions at Saudi airports, the latest being terminals 3 and 4 at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and announcing the general blueprint of King Salman Airport and preparing to launch the new national operator, continuing to increase air connectivity and targeting access to many destinations and launching "Your ticket, your visa" initiative opening the door to international operators to promote airline traffic and visits. He said that there is integration in the logistics system, where in the railway transport, we are working in accordance with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy to increase the efficiency of railways and increase the connectivity of the Kingdom's cities with various means of transport, referring to this year's high operational efficiency in railway networks, which registered an increase of 100% over last year, where 4.9 million passengers were transported and 24 million tons of minerals and liquid and solid products were transported, marking an increase of 22% over last year. He stated that over the past two years, and with the support of wise leadership, the power of Saudi ports doubled globally by increasing operational capacity in the Kingdom's ports and maintaining local and regional supply chains and supporting future growth and achieving unprecedented growth figures in the rate of services and the Kingdom's rank on the list of international indicators, adding that within two years, trans-shipment has doubled, transit trade by land and air has risen by more than a 40% and that this year witnessed an increase of the volume of tons of handling by 10%, which boosted the trade movement, enhanced growth and consolidated the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub. Al-Jasser stated that the bus transport project has been launched in several cities and aims to increase the share of public transport in the Kingdom's regions to 15% in 2030, provide multiple transportation options, improve quality of life, facilitate movement and support economic infrastructure, while the Riyadh metro will contribute to reducing traffic congestions.
