Saudi Arabia ranks sixth globally in logistics index

Saudi Arabia has been ranked sixth in the world, after China, India, UAE, Indonesia, and Malaysia, by the 2019 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index released on Tuesday.

“Saudi Arabia’s 6th overall ranking is primarily a result of notable improvement in its business environment, a theme which is common across Middle Eastern markets,” noted Agility’s 10th annual ranking of 50 leading emerging markets, a broad gauge of competitiveness based on logistics strength and business fundamentals.

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“It is a strength that will be the key to the Kingdom’s ability to transform its economy under the ambitious Vision 2030 strategy,” it added.

Other countries in the Gulf, namely, the UAE (No. 3), Qatar (8), Oman (12), Bahrain (16) and Kuwait (18) also rank highly in the survey.

The Index ranks 50 countries by factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors.

The survey noted that the Kingdom has instigated significant expansion of the road and rail networks, as well as the country’s airports in recent years, while also creating free trade and industrial zones, such as the Industrial Valley in King Abdullah Economic City, to boost economic growth.