Transport

Since 2008 the Saudi authorities have invested heavily in transport infrastructure projects as part of efforts to expand and diversify the economy as well as reduce automotive transport for both passengers and cargo. Ports have been built, airports expanded and upgraded, and railway and metro projects initiated – and in some cases already completed. Tens of billions of dollars have already been spent, and many more billions have been earmarked over the next few years. In public transport alone, $141bn will to be spent on infrastructure and operations in the next decade, including the $22.5bn Riyadh Metro project, set for completion in 2019. Despite a scale-back of government expenditure in 2016 due to lower global oil prices, spending on transport infrastructure will likely continue to be prioritised as well-developed networks are seen as key to economic and social growth. The National Transformation Plan announced in June 2016 includes a number of strategic goals and benchmarks for transport in Saudi Arabia.

This chapter contains interviews with Suleiman Al Hamdan, Minister of Transport; Nabeel Al Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority; and Faysal Elhajjami, Country General Manager, DHL.