Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Inaugurates the
7th Supply Chain and Logistics Conference
His Excellency, the Minister of Transport and Logistic Services, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, inaugurated today the 7th Supply Chain and Logistics Conference in Riyadh, which was attended by a distinguished gathering of ministers, senior government officials, CEOs of leading logistics and supply chain companies, representatives from public and private sector organizations, sector stakeholders, prominent industry leaders, investors, ambassadors, and representatives of regional and international organizations.
In his opening address, His Excellency underscored the critical importance of reshaping global supply chains through new strategic partnerships, noting that the sector represents a cornerstone of the modern economy amid accelerating global transformations. He stated:“This year’s conference is held at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing tangible progress, driven by the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the unwavering support of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The future of the transport and logistics sector in Saudi Arabia is no longer aspirational; it is a reality reflected in both national achievements and international indicators.”
His Excellency highlighted several key achievements, including local and international private sector investments exceeding SAR 280 billion, an increase in the direct contribution of transport and storage activities contribution to the GDP to 6.2%, and a 34% year-on-year growth in air cargo volumes, reaching 1.2 million tons. He also noted a 28% increase in employment within the transport and storage sector, with 144,000 new jobs created by the end of the first quarter of the year, bringing total sector employment to approximately 651,000.
The Minister further emphasized that the aviation and air transport sector has entered an unprecedented phase of expansion, both in airport infrastructure development and fleet growth. Additionally, the number of logistics centers across the Kingdom has risen to 24, supporting economic diversification and strengthening supply chain resilience. Significant progress in supply chain management has positioned Saudi Arabia as a key global partner in securing international supply chains, enabled by structural reforms, decisive leadership support, and the implementation of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Vision 2030.
On the global stage, Saudi Arabia advanced 17 positions in the World Bank’s 2023 Logistics Performance Index, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to ranking among the top ten logistics hubs worldwide. The Kingdom also secured a position among the top four emerging markets in the 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, which evaluates 50 countries, driven by major investments and extensive digital transformation across trade and logistics operations. These milestones reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a central hub for global supply chains and a key pillar of regional and international logistics integration, particularly amid ongoing global challenges.
The 7th Supply Chain and Logistics Conference stood out as one of the region’s most significant sector events. Over the course of two days, 93 agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed, with a combined value exceeding SAR 19.05 billion, contributing to the launch of major logistics projects across the Kingdom. Following the opening ceremony, His Excellency toured the accompanying exhibition, spanning 6,500 square meters, which hosted 141 local and international companies and organizations operating across the supply chain and logistics ecosystem.
