Saudi Transport Minister Outlines Jazan Port Project

Saudi TV at 1910 gmt on 19 September carries a new episode of its programme “Spotlight”, presented by Sulayman Bin-Muhammad al-Isa, who interviews Minister of Transport Dr Jabarah Bin-Id al-Suraysiri on the measures adopted by the Council of Ministers concerning the development of the Jazan region and its port in particular.

Dr Al-Suraysiri explains that the measures were needed to give a boost to employment in the region which fell to between 35 and 40 per cent following the government ban on animal imports from neighbouring countries in order to avert the spread of diseases to Saudi animals and people.

The new measures stipulate that ships entering and leaving the port will not be subjected to levies for a period of five years; some workers’ salaries, particularly in the freight sector, will be exempt from state taxation; and storage of goods in the port will be free for periods of less than 30 days. Al-Suraysiri says these measures are likely to improve business and encourage imports.

In reply to a question about the port network in Saudi Arabia, Dr Al-Suraysiri says that there are eight ports in the kingdom – five commercial and three industrial. He indicates that some of these ports, such as the Jedda port and King Abd-al-Aziz port in Dammam, will be linked by a railway which will enable further coordination between them and better employment opportunities.

Al-Suraysiri says that in view of severe competition between Saudi ports and others in neighbouring countries, such as Djibouti, it is imperative to revise and improve measures, and review levies to make Saudi ports more competitive in the era of globalization marked by a dynamic WTO.

In reply to a question about the role of the private sector in the development of ports in the country, Al-Suraysiri praises the private sector and gives the example of two investors who spent 30 million riyals each to develop areas in both Jedda and King Abd-al- Aziz ports.

In conclusion, Al-Suraysiri announces that a number of studies are being carried out with a view to expanding industrial ports. This, he stresses, is dictated by the increase in Saudi exports of oil and petrochemical products.

The programme ends at 1927 gmt.