The collaboration was announced this week at the Global Logistics Forum in Riyadh
ewpartners (formerly eWTP Arabia Capital), the first international private equity firm to establish Saudi-Asia cross border investment platform, is partnering with King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) to explore plans for a Special Economic Zone within King Salman International Airport in Riyadh.
The initiative is aimed at enhancing growth and operational excellence in logistics within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom’s goal of developing into a global logistics hub linking three continents and improving trade connections between Saudi Arabia, China and the wider Asian continent.
Collaboration
Known as the ‘KSA-Sino Logistics Special Economic Zone’, the collaboration between ewpartners and KSIADC was announced this week at the Global Logistics Forum in Riyadh, which is under the patronage of The Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Special Economic Zone is supported by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics and is one of several recently announced initiatives designed to strengthen supply chains and streamline trade, e-commerce and investment in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
The project will cover a total area of 4sqkm and will be developed in four phases over a period of 12 years.
The project site will include:
A Logistic/Light Industrial Park: Focused on manufacturing and logistics, supporting local supply chain development and enhancing Saudi Arabia’s industrial capacity.
An International Commercial Park: Focused on providing a hub for global businesses to establish their presence, facilitating international trade and attracting more foreign direct investment.
Living Space and Supporting Facilities: To offer comprehensive services necessary for professionals’ living and working needs, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s appeal as an investment destination.
Integrated ecosystem
The project aims to create an integrated ecosystem that will encompass global enterprises, logistic facilities, supply chains, and high-end manufacturing, significantly bolstering Saudi Arabia’s regional and global distribution capabilities. International companies will establish manufacturing capabilities within the Zone and collaborate with Saudi enterprises to produce locally for distribution to markets around the world. In this way, the Zone will embody the ‘Made in Saudi’ Program, which supports Saudi businesses to increase their exports to priority markets.
“Saudi Arabia has long been at the crossroads of global trade. These vital facilities are key to realizing Vision 2030, with over SAR 1tn set for investment by 2050, of which SAR 200bn has already been deployed. Through strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors, we have made significant progress, positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub of innovation across industries and establishing the Kingdom as a global logistics powerhouse,” asserted HE Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, Minister, Transport and Logistics Services.
“By joining forces with ewpartners, we are poised to enhance our logistics infrastructure, boost efficiency, and create new opportunities for economic growth in Saudi Arabia and the region,” commented Marco Mejia, Acting CEO, KSIADC.
“After nearly five years of dedication to this initiative, our expertise in technology-driven solutions and cross-border investment, coupled with the strategic location of King Salman International Airport—positioned as a gateway between Asia, Africa, and Europe—will unlock immense potential for cross-border trade. This paves the way for new growth and innovation in the Kingdom’s logistics and e-commerce sectors,” remarked Jerry Li, Founder & Managing Partner, ewpartners.
