RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has jumped 17 places to claim 38th rank in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index 2023, as the Kingdom consolidates its national logistics strategy to become a regional hub. This quick elevation comes within a very short span of time as Saudi Arabia ranked 55th in 2018 and barely edged up from its 52nd rank in 2014 listings in the index that has 139 countries. According to the report, Saudi Arabia made great strides in performance efficiency through several sub-indicators, such as trade and transport infrastructure, shipment frequency tracking and tracing facilities, customs clearance and quality of maritime freight. “This progress came with the support of the Crown Prince and the ambitious goals of the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services,” said Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser in a statement. He added that the strategy contains broad structural reforms and qualitative strategic initiatives, bringing about a significant shift in operational efficiency in performance and strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a global logistics center. The minister further noted that this achievement results from the efforts of all parties involved in the National Strategy for Transport and Logistics Services. Recently, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics launched a package of initiatives in the logistics sector to raise performance efficiency, re-engineer procedures, and apply international best practices in this vital sector. It also included the launch of the integrated logistics area at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the announcement of Apple as its first international investor, and the launch of 19 logistics zones across regions in the Kingdom. The accomplishment comes after the World Bank recently announced Saudi Arabia’s global leadership in the ports sector. The Kingdom ranked first and eighth internationally for the most efficient ports in the world in terms of operational performance, enhancing its position on the global maritime map. The World Bank LPI 2023 report also revealed that Singapore secured first place, followed by Finland in second. Among neighboring Gulf countries, the UAE advanced four ranks to reach seventh in 2023 when compared to 11th back in 2018. Qatar, however, went down four ranks to reach 34th in 2023 compared to 30th in 2018.