Riyadh: Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser affirmed during the Budget Forum 2026 that the transport and logistics sector, supported by structural reforms and the backing of the wise leadership, has secured investment contracts exceeding SAR280 billion from both global and local private-sector partners.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the Kingdom's strong and integrated transport and logistics infrastructure continues to attract major investments and expand business opportunities. A 6.2% growth in the direct contribution of transport and storage activities to the national GDP this year was highlighted, driven by expansion in logistics services and commercial air transport. The air freight sector recorded a 34% increase compared to the previous year, reaching 1.2 million tons, reinforcing the import and export ecosystem and supporting the Kingdom's economic diversification goals.

Al-Jasser added that the sector achieved a 28% increase in job creation in transport and warehousing by the end of the first quarter of 2025, generating 144,000 new jobs and bringing the total workforce to nearly 651,000 employees.

Significant progress in the railway sector was also highlighted, including the acquisition of 10 new passenger trains for the Eastern Railway network to meet rising demand for rail services and to support ongoing economic and developmental expansion.

The minister underscored that transport and logistics remain a strategic enabler of economic growth and sustainable development, pointing to the expansion of logistics centers across the Kingdom, which reached 24 centers by 2025, further strengthening economic diversification.