Saudi Arabia holds a leading position in the Arab region as well as in the Middle East and North Africa, ranking 20th globally in the Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index (QI4SD) 2024. This index is released every two years by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Kingdom has made significant progress, climbing 25 spots compared to the 2022 index.
The index evaluates various key components of quality infrastructure, which include standards, metrology, standardization, accreditation, conformity assessment, and national policies. Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasbi, governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Authority (SASO), commented that the Kingdom’s rankings reflect the national efforts spearheaded by SASO in partnership with the Saudi Accreditation Center and relevant stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
These accomplishments enhance Saudi Arabia’s global standing and contribute to the development of a more prosperous and competitive economy. Al-Qasbi also lauded the progress of the Kingdom’s quality system and its positive effects on living standards, economic development, and business practices, all of which have played a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s rise in global rankings.
The Kingdom’s position among the top 20 countries serves as a strong indication of its commitment to improving quality infrastructure and refining its legal frameworks and regulations.
Ambitious rail expansion
Saudi Arabia is poised for remarkable expansion in its rail infrastructure, with plans to extend its rail network to over 8,000 kilometers in the coming years. This announcement was made by Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, Kingdom’s minister of Transport and Logistic Services and chairman of Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), during the inaugural Saudi Rail Conference and Exhibition. He remarked, “This expansion will further solidify Saudi Arabia’s position as a global logistics hub.”
Al-Jasser highlighted that these advancements are in line with the National Transport and Logistics Strategy, which is a fundamental part of Saudi Vision 2030.
Read more | Road Quality Index: Saudi Arabia surges to 4th position among G20 nations
Key rail networks in Saudi Arabia
Al-Jasser noted the significant strides made in rail development, pointing out that the existing network already exceeds 5,500 kilometers. He specifically mentioned the North Network, which connects Riyadh to the Jordanian border, and the East Network, which links Riyadh to the Arabian Gulf coast. He also underscored the importance of the Haramain High-Speed Railway (HHR), an innovative electric rail service that connects the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. Since its launch in 2018, the HHR has emerged as one of the fastest rail systems globally, accommodating over 20 million passengers and alleviating road freight congestion by eliminating more than one million truck trips in the past year alone.
Transformations in Riyadh region’s roads
The road infrastructure in the Riyadh region is undergoing a substantial overhaul. The total road length in the area is approximately 15,000 kilometers, with new road and maintenance projects currently being implemented across all governorates, amounting to a total investment of around SAR3 billion (approximately $800 million).
These initiatives aim to ensure that the road network can effectively meet the rising demand for efficient transportation. They also contribute to achieving the goals outlined in the road sector strategy, which seeks to enhance the Kingdom’s status as a global logistics center.
Road projects in progress
The Roads General Authority (RGA) recently announced the completion of 23 road projects in the Riyadh region. This includes 20 preventive maintenance projects covering 215 kilometers at a cost of SAR170 million, along with three traffic safety enhancement projects costing over SAR171 million. The road sector plays a vital role in supporting various industries, such as tourism, trade, and logistics, and underscores the Kingdom’s leadership in global road connectivity.
The RGA noted its commitment to using cutting-edge technologies for road project implementation across Riyadh. It boasts the largest fleet of AI-driven machinery in the world and employs specialized teams in the road construction sector.
Additional road projects underway
Currently, 18 road projects are in progress across Riyadh, extending up to 516 kilometers and valued at SAR1.5 billion. Additionally, the RGA is undertaking 48 preventive maintenance projects spanning 2,500 kilometers, with a budget of SAR1 billion, along with one traffic safety enhancement project worth SAR125 million.
These projects are designed to meet high-quality standards and specifications, aiming to reduce road fatalities to under five per 100,000 people and to rank sixth worldwide in road quality index. The authority’s objectives also include enhancing the road network’s safety features based on the International Road Assessment Program (IRAP) classifications, maintaining advanced capacities within the network, and increasing private sector involvement in operational activities to 20 percent.
