Agility has been active in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years. (Image source: Agility)

Agility, a global supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation company, has signed an MoU with the Saudi Railway Company (SAR) to explore opportunities for inter-modal storage, transportation, and processing facilities in Sudair City for Industry and Businesses, as well as near King Khalid International Airport.

As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, the Kingdom is heavily investing in modernising and expanding its logistics and transportation infrastructure to position itself as a global hub for logistics and trade.

Supporting various sectors

Agility has been active in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years, with its Agility Logistics Parks (ALP) business developing and operating advanced logistics and warehousing facilities in Riyadh and Dammam. A third logistics park is currently under construction in Jeddah. The Riyadh Logistics Park features "green" buildings, the first EDGE Advanced-certified warehouses in the GCC.

Agility also supports Saudi Arabia's energy, aviation, and e-commerce sectors, with its venture arm investing in local startups in e-commerce and digital freight matching for the trucking industry.

In 2023, Agility signed an MoU with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA) to strengthen the healthcare sector by expanding digital health services and localising the medical technology supply chain.

Additionally, Agility is a significant shareholder in DSV, a global logistics provider and a key partner in the NEOM mega-city project, aimed at transforming the Kingdom’s northwest region into a futuristic smart city.

“Saudi Arabia is rapidly moving toward achieving its goal to be one of the world’s most important centres of trade, transportation and logistics,” said Agility vice chairman Tarek Sultan. “Agility has been a long-time supporter, partner and investor in the Saudi logistics sector. We have decades of experience here, and we’ve built some of the Kingdom’s most advanced logistics infrastructure. We see a future where Saudi and the region lead the world's supply chain sector. We thank SAR for giving us the opportunity to be part of this future and the opportunity to contribute to Saudi's growth and success story”

Wialon, the global fleet management and IoT platform developed by European software company Gurtam, is set to showcase its capabilities at GITEX Global 2024.

As part of the event, Wialon will host a comprehensive Fleet Management Hub alongside telematics service providers, hardware manufacturers, and connectivity providers. The platform, known for its extensive reach, recently announced that it has connected over 4 million vehicles across 160 countries, further cementing its position as one of the world’s largest platforms in the fleet management sector.

Wialon serves a wide range of industries by connecting, tracking, and monitoring various types of vehicles and assets, from heavy goods and light commercial vehicles to public buses, agricultural machinery, and construction equipment.

The platform works closely with more than 2,700 partner companies globally, most of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Wialon provides these companies with cutting-edge fleet management technology and integrations, including support for over 3,500 device models, allowing them to optimise operations without high development costs.

As fleet management evolves, Wialon is positioned at the forefront of major trends reshaping the sector in the Middle East. These trends include the growing use of telematics and IoT to enhance operational efficiency, the shift towards electric vehicle adoption in line with sustainability goals like the UAE Vision 2021 and Saudi Vision 2030, and the increasing role of AI and big data in predictive maintenance and route optimization.

At GITEX 2024, Wialon will introduce its new Task Manager feature, which aims to streamline fleet operations by creating dedicated workflows for alerts and notifications. This new tool will help fleet managers assign tasks, track incidents, and improve response times, ensuring better oversight and accountability for fleet operations.

“GITEX Global is a pivotal platform for Wialon, allowing us to showcase our commitment to innovation and our role in shaping the future of fleet management. With over 4 million vehicles connected worldwide, we’re dedicated to delivering scalable solutions that empower businesses—both large and small—to optimise their operations and meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market. At this year’s event, we’re excited to demonstrate how our technology drives efficiency, sustainability, and growth across diverse industries, ultimately transforming the way fleets operate,” said Aliaksandr Kuushynau, head of Wialon.

The Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone) is set to participate in the inaugural Global Rail Transport Infrastructure Exhibition and Conference (GRTIEC), which will be held from 8-10 October at ADNEC.

The event, themed "Setting Transport Infrastructure and Global Connectivity in Motion," will feature over 150 international speakers and 100 exhibitors from around the world.

Organised by Etihad Rail in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, ADNEC, and DMG Events, SAIF Zone will use the platform to showcase Sharjah’s expanding growth opportunities, emphasising the emirate’s access to global markets, competitive services, and cutting-edge infrastructure that make it an attractive hub for business and investment.

Its strategic proximity to Sharjah International Airport and seaports strengthens its appeal as a top destination for global enterprises.

Serving the region

During the exhibition, SAIF Zone will highlight its logistics solutions, supporting the sector with advanced infrastructure, digital services, and streamlined communication systems, all designed to facilitate the smooth movement of goods. These services, coupled with the zone’s closeness to Sharjah International Airport, position it as a key player in reaching competitive markets in the Middle East and North Africa.

HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, director of SAIF Zone, stated that their participation in GRTIEC aligns with the UAE's vision of becoming a global hub for trade and business. "We will showcase our capabilities and services, which play a vital role in attracting investments and fostering economic growth in both Sharjah and the UAE," said Al Mazrouei. He further explained that the event provides an opportunity to engage with decision-makers in transportation and infrastructure sectors and introduce them to the promising prospects offered by the free zone.

Al Mazrouei added, “We are proud to be part of this global event, where we aim to reinforce SAIF Zone’s position as a preferred investment destination by presenting the unique advantages it offers to businesses seeking an integrated environment for growth.” He emphasised that the exhibition offers an ideal platform to connect with international investors and explore partnerships in key sectors such as assembly, logistics, trade, and light industry.

Trascent, a global provider of facilities management advisory services, has partnered with Gulaid Holding, a key investor in Saudi Arabia's facilities management sector, to launch Trascent Arabia.

This joint venture aims to enhance the Kingdom’s FM industry with innovative services aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, transforming FM service delivery across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

Trascent, known for its expertise in structuring best-in-class FM services, brings its global experience, while Gulaid Holding adds 15 years of local market knowledge. Together, Trascent Arabia will improve FM service quality and efficiency by introducing best practices in contract management and service delivery.

Rakesh Kishan, CEO of Trascent Arabia and managing principal of Trascent, said, “Trascent Arabia will bring market-leading expertise in advanced contracting models for facilities management at a time where clients are seeking better and more innovative solutions in FM. By combining Gulaid’s deep local knowledge with Trascent’s market leading capabilities, we are positioned to deliver world-class services that support the increasing demands of facilities management in Saudi Arabia. As the Kingdom invests heavily in new cities, infrastructure, entertainment, and other investments, our services will enable clients to achieve FM excellence for residents, tourists, and businesses alike.”

Aiding major projects 

A report by Fortune Business Insights forecasts Saudi Arabia’s FM sector to reach US$56bn by 2032, with a growth rate of 10.3% from 2023. As the Kingdom undergoes its Vision 2030 transformation, the FM industry will need to evolve towards more advanced, customer-focused solutions. Trascent Arabia aims to help clients transition by supporting key national projects such as NEOM, Qiddiya, and the Red Sea Project.

Naser Gulaid, executive chairman of Gulaid Holding, stated, "For the past 15 years, Gulaid Holding has been a leading investor in Saudi Arabia’s FM industry. With Vision 2030 raising the bar for excellence, Trascent Arabia will help to bridge the gap between current market capabilities and future demands. Our services will not only enhance operational efficiencies but also introduce technology-driven FM strategies that focus on customer experience, sustainability, and efficiency, perfectly aligning with the Kingdom’s vision for growth. Our clients want innovative, experience-led services, and that’s exactly what Trascent Arabia is bringing to the table.”

Trascent Arabia will focus on three core service areas: management consulting, advising clients on structuring FM contracts and best practices; contract execution and management, ensuring compliance across FM contracts; and program management, overseeing key client initiatives such as energy efficiency and sustainability projects.