Jazan Chamber Identifies Logistics Sector Strengths, Supply Chain Development Opportunities

A report issued by the Jazan Chamber has identified investment opportunities in the region's logistics sector, based on integrating ports, industrial zones, and transport networks with agricultural and fishery production to expand storage, refrigeration, manufacturing, and distribution activities and improve local products' access to national, regional, and international markets.
 The report examined the sector's current state, competitive advantages, demand trends for its services, and opportunities to develop value chains in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.
 It said Jazan's geographical location on the Red Sea coast, its proximity to shipping routes and African markets, and the diversity of its economic base spanning industry, agriculture, and fisheries represent strengths that support the sector's growth and open avenues for establishing specialized services linking production sites with marketing and export outlets.
 In the agricultural sector, the report noted that Jazan's mango production exceeds 65,000 tonnes annually from more than one million trees encompassing over 60 varieties. It explained that this abundance presents opportunities for investment in sorting, packaging, and cold-storage centers, as well as juice, drying, and canning industries, which would extend the marketing period for products, reduce waste, and support farmers' returns.
 In the fisheries sector, the report highlighted opportunities to develop an integrated system that links harbors and markets with refrigeration, freezing, packaging, and processing facilities, preserve the quality of marine products, raise their added value, and prepare them for access to wider markets.
 It also indicated that the growth of e-commerce opens additional avenues for developing logistics services in Jazan, including centers for collecting, sorting, and preparing orders, inventory and returns management, and delivery to consumers, thereby supporting the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to expand their operations and reach customers across Saudi Arabia.
 The report concluded that strengthening integration between infrastructure and productive sectors in Jazan, and expanding manufacturing and supporting services, represent a path to raising the competitiveness of local products, diversifying investment opportunities, and enhancing the region's contribution to Saudi Arabia's targets of becoming a global logistics hub.