Interview: Jay New, CEO, King Abdullah Port In what ways can the maritime transport segment contribute to Vision 2030’s sustainability and economic diversification goals? JAY NEW: Saudi Arabia’s maritime transport infrastructure can accommodate the world’s largest vessels, reflecting the Kingdom’s readiness to play a key role in global trade. The growth in vessel sizes and demand for efficient…
Interview: Ibrahim Al Omar, Director-General, Saudia Group What strategies are most effective for managing cooperation and competition in the aviation industry? IBRAHIM AL OMAR: In 2023 Saudi Arabia celebrated achieving a key objective of Vision 2030 of attracting 100m tourists by 2030 – seven years ahead of schedule. This success has led to a revision of the National Aviation Strategy’s targets,…
As Saudi Arabia pursues its programme of economic diversification as part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, the country’s transport networks and logistics industry are set to play a key role in achieving these goals. The sector continues to witness rapid expansion, as large projects in a wide range of areas – including roads, ports, public transport and airlines – are quickly developed with significant…
With fossil fuels still powering roughly 99% of global shipping, the sector is seeking to reduce emissions through cleaner fuel sources – including methanol, ammonia and wind – that could soon see increased use. Increased Investment In August 2022 Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a coalition of private investors founded by US tech entrepreneur Bill Gates, helped Danish start-up Blue World Technologies…
The GCC’s population more than doubled over the past 25 years, growing from 26.2m in 1995 to 56.4m in 2021, outpacing the global growth rate of 30%. Urbanisation has also accelerated across the region, driven by rapid economic development, migration and the concentration of economic activities in urban centres. By 2015 the GCC led Arab countries as the most urbanised subregion, with an urbanisation…
The transport links between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have long played a crucial role in fostering economic, social and cultural ties across the Gulf region. The King Fahd Causeway has been a vital artery for trade and travel since its opening in 1986. The establishment of the King Fahd Causeway Authority in the early 2000s has led to significant upgrades, reflecting the deepening economic ties between…
As part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding its transport and logistics sector to support economic diversification. Major projects in roads, ports, public transport and air connectivity are receiving significant public funding, with a focus on sustainability and technological innovation. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services oversees these initiatives, including…
Saudi Arabia, the region’s largest economy, is progressing towards diversification under Vision 2030. The digital economy is a standout performer, contributing 14% of GDP, while government-led giga-projects open long-term opportunities across various sectors. Despite a dip in oil activities that reduced the current account surplus to 3.2% in 2023, tourism income surged by 38%, boosting the servi
Interview:Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie How can the public and private sectors boost their contributions to rail infrastructure development? ABDULLA BIN ABDULAZIZ BIN TURKI AL SUBAIE: Railways typically rely on government funding due to their significant financial impact. However, a recent initiative aims to attract private sector participation in financing infrastructure projects,…
Interview:Ranjeev Menon What challenges are impacting the logistics sector, and how are industry players addressing them? RANJEEV MENON: The logistics sector continues to grapple with supply chain volatility due to aftershocks from the Covid-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions and trade disputes. Rising fuel prices and transport costs continue to strain profit margins, especially for road freight…
