Saudi Arabia has unveiled a master plan to build logistics centres to transform the country into a global logistics hub and boost investment.

The plan was unveiled by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

This strategy forms part of the package of initiatives set as targets by the country's National Transport and Logistics Strategy to enhance the infrastructure of the logistics sector and boost the local economy.

The plan envisages the construction of 59 logistics centres covering over 100 million square metres in strategic regions across the country.

Out of the 59 logistics centres, 12 would be built for the Riyadh region, 12 for the Makkah region, 17 for the Eastern Province, and 18 across the remaining regions of the country. 

These centres will facilitate efficient exports of Saudi products, support e-commerce by establishing quick links between logistics centres and distribution hubs in various parts of the country, and ensure high-level tracking.

Furthermore, this plan is aimed at simplifying the process of obtaining logistic licenses, which have been granted to more than 1,500 local and international logistics companies.

FASAH, a two-hour licensing initiative, has been launched in collaboration with relevant government entities.

The country envisions the updated logistics services sector will represent a strong pillar for economic development in the country.

Saudi Arabia has climbed up 17 places in the World Bank's Logistics Performance Index that was released in April this year, attaining the 38th position among 160 countries.

The country aims to feature in the list of top ten countries in the index by the end of this decade.