Saudi Arabia is a global logistics and technology hub: Key statements from Davos
Saudi Arabia affirmed its strong presence on the international economic scene during its participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the Kingdom’s ministers reviewed the strategic assets that qualify the country to lead the trade and technology sectors in the near future, based on the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia: A link between three continents
In this context, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi emphasized that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia possesses all the necessary elements to become a world-class logistics hub. In his address, Al-Qasabi highlighted the Kingdom's strategic geographic location, which makes it a vital link between the three continents of the Old World: Europe, Asia, and Africa. This location not only gives the Kingdom a competitive advantage in shipping and transportation but also qualifies it to be a key platform for global supply chains, which have suffered numerous disruptions in recent years.
Al-Qasabi addressed the need for fundamental reforms to the World Trade Organization system to keep pace with rapid economic changes, emphasizing that trade is not merely a recent economic activity for the Kingdom, but rather "an integral part of Saudi Arabia's DNA." The minister cited the region's historical depth, noting that the Arabian Peninsula, since pre-Islamic times, has been a vital corridor for trade caravans traveling north and south, and a key part of ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road and the Incense Route, thus embedding a culture of trade within the Saudi identity.
Leading the smart era and bridging the digital divide
For his part, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah Al-Swaha, highlighted the technological and future-oriented aspects of the Saudi economy. Al-Swaha emphasized that the Kingdom, with the direct support and empowerment of Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, is positioning itself as a leading global partner in bridging the computing gap and shaping the features of the smart era.
Al-Swaha explained that the Kingdom is not relying solely on its ambitions, but rather on tangible assets that position it as a global hub for computing and artificial intelligence. These assets include abundant clean and conventional energy sources necessary to power massive data centers, the availability of venture capital, vast tracts of land, and long-term strategic planning.
An integrated vision for the future of the economy
These statements reflect the integration between different sectors in Saudi Arabia. While the Ministry of Commerce seeks to enhance the logistics infrastructure, ports, and airports to facilitate the movement of goods, the Ministry of Communications is working to build the digital infrastructure to support the flow of data. This synergy aims to empower innovators and investors to accelerate value creation and achieve sustainable growth that benefits both people and the planet, while delivering pioneering applied models in vital areas such as digital healthcare, which contributes to improving quality of life.
