Riyadh: Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser inaugurated the seventh edition of the Supply Chain and Logistics Conference in Riyadh today, emphasizing the importance of reshaping supply chains through new strategic partnerships to address the fundamental transformations taking place in this critical sector of the modern economy.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the event was attended by several ministers, senior officials, industry leaders, and CEOs from the supply chain and logistics sector, as well as representatives from government entities, the private sector, logistics development stakeholders, investors, and numerous ambassadors and officials from international and local organizations.

In his address, the minister highlighted that this year’s conference is held against a backdrop reflected in national and international indicators. Notable achievements include private-sector investment commitments exceeding SAR280 billion and a 6.2% increase in the direct contribution of transport and storage to GDP. Air freight rose 34% year-on-year to 1.2 million tons, while employment in the sector grew by 28%, with 144,000 new jobs added, bringing the total workforce to approximately 651,000 employees.

Al-Jasser also noted that the Kingdom has emerged as a hub for major global transport and logistics events, having hosted the inaugural Global Logistics Forum last year, which brought together the largest gathering of leaders and decision-makers.