GLF Establishes Saudi Arabia as Global Logistics Hub: Al-Otaishan Group’s Deputy CEO
Saudi Arabia has hosted the inaugural edition of the Global Logistics Forum (GLF 2024) in Riyadh, from October 12-14, 2024.
Under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the GLF brought together logistics leaders from around the world to discuss the key trends and challenges facing the sector, in addition to exploring the available opportunities for future cooperation.
On this occasion, Leaders MENA Magazine spoke with Deputy Chief Executive Officer Al-Otaishan Group, Rakan Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaishan, who shared his thoughts on the significance of the Global Logistics Forum and highlighted Al-Otaishan Group’s contribution to enhancing the Saudi logistics sector.
Saudi Arabia: A Logistics Leader
On the sidelines of the flagship event, Rakan Abdul-Rahman Al-Otaishan highlighted the significance of the GLF 2024. “The Global Logistics Forum emphasizes Saudi Arabia’s status as a global logistics hub. It is the largest such event to be held in the Middle East and the Gulf region,” he told Leaders MENA Magazine.
Rakan Al-Otaishan further elaborated the importance of the logistics sector in serving the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. He said: “Logistics is one of the main sectors targeted under Saudi Vision 2030. The sector is experiencing many developments and has great potential for growth. This is evident in foreign investments, new job opportunities, and contribution to the GDP.”
Enhancing Logistics Sector
The Saudi government has launched several programs and initiatives to enhance the logistics sector, such as the Saudi Transport Ministry’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy. In the light of this, Rakan Al-Otaishan pointed out that the GLF complements these efforts.
“The Global Logistics Forum builds on the Saudi government’s ongoing efforts to establish the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics hub,” he said.
Al-Otaishan Logistics
Established in 1982, Al-Otaishan Holding has expanded to include 4 main sectors covering the fields of contracting and maintenance, logistics services, commerce and industry.
Al-Otaishan Logistics is taking part in the Global Logistics Forum to “display its expertise, exchange ideas and knowledge, and sign agreements,” according to Rakan Al-Otaishan. He further added that company has signed an agreement with Scan Group, one of the world’s largest companies in the field of freight forwarding.
Al-Otaishan Logistics offers a diverse range of services, such as transportation, customs clearance, storage/warehouse, global coverage for freight forwarding (import & export), and customized logistics solutions.
The company boasts a team of around 4,000 skilled employees, a fleet of 1,000 vehicles, 3 million sqm of logistics facilities across the Kingdom, and strategic marine posts.
