Ashraf AboArafe
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) achieved a new achievement in the transport and logistics system, after it jumped 17 ranks globally in the logistics index issued by the World Bank.
The report indicated that the Kingdom advanced to rank (38) out of (160 countries) in the international ranking in the logistical efficiency index, after it achieved wide leaps in performance efficiency through a number of sub-indicators, most notably the logistical efficiency index, the track and trace index, and the timing index. , customs index, infrastructure index, and maritime freight index.
His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, explained that this progress came with the support and empowerment of His Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect him. noting the ambitious goals of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services that His Highness recently launched, and the broad structural reforms and qualitative strategic initiatives it contained. It made a significant shift in operational efficiency in the performance of the transport and logistics system sectors in accordance with international indicators, and strengthened the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center.
He expressed his pride in this great progress, which showed the development of the efficiency of logistics services in the Kingdom, stressing at the same time that the transport and logistics system is working diligently to implement the directives of the wise leadership – may God support them – towards strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center, indicating that this progress also comes After the World Bank’s recent announcement of the Kingdom’s global leadership in the ports sector, as the Kingdom ranked first and eighth internationally for the most efficient ports in the world in terms of operational performance, which enhances the Kingdom’s position on the global maritime map.
His Excellency raised his thanks to the wise leadership – may God preserve it – for its unlimited support for the works, projects and initiatives of the system, indicating that this achievement achieved by the Kingdom in the international logistics index is the result of the tireless and joint efforts of all parties in the sector, in order to implement the national logistics strategy for transport and logistics services. improving the Kingdom’s competitiveness in accordance with Saudi Vision 2030; To support economic diversification, achieve sustainable development, and enhance the contribution of the logistics sector to the GDP.
It is noteworthy that the Kingdom has recently recorded progress in the Maritime Navigation Network Connectivity Index issued by UNCTAD to an average of 71.33 points as a result of adding 25 shipping lines and new shipping services until the end of 2022, in cooperation with major international shipping companies. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics launched a package of initiatives in logistics sector; To raise performance efficiency, re-engineer procedures, and apply international best practices in this vital sector; To enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center, as it included the launch of the private and integrated logistics zone at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and the announcement of Apple as the first international investor in it, as well as the launch of 19 logistics zones in the regions of the Kingdom.
The Ministry launched the Unified Logistics License; To develop the work environment, facilitate licensing procedures, and accelerate business in the logistics services sector, as 1,500 local, regional and international logistics companies were licensed for the first time, and launch the Al-Fasah initiative within two hours in cooperation with the relevant government agencies, as the ministry works according to a methodology that seeks to rise in the Kingdom’s hierarchy. Among the top 10 countries in the logistics performance index by 2030, the development of the logistics services industry, the promotion of export strategy, the expansion of investment opportunities, and the dedication of partnership with the private sector, as the logistics services sector is one of the main pillars supporting economic diversification and development in the Kingdom.
