JUBARAH AL SURAISRY Minister of Transport

Spending on transport and communication services has been increased by 33 per cent this year, to a total of SR11.5 billion (£1.6 billion). The government has allocated SR9.2 billion (£1.2 billion) for new projects to develop roads, ports, airports and railways.

PM Communications: The Ministry of Transport plays a pivotal role in the economy. Could you tell us what are the main projects that the Ministry is immersed in this year?

H.E. Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: The transport sector plays an important role in any country's socio-economic development. Our leaders have been well aware of this for a long time, and this is why, despite the large size of our country, all cities and villages are connected by highways, roads or agricultural roads. Today, our network has more than fifty thousand kilometers of roads, and there are sixteen thousand under execution. Our goal is to connect through highways not only the thirteen provinces, but all of our neighboring countries as well.

The ports are also very important. Saudi Arabia has eight commercial and industrial ports along its one thousand five hundred kilometers of shore in the Red Sea and its six hundred on the Gulf.

We consider the Ministry of Transport one of the most important, as other Ministries depend on us to reach their objectives. The Minister of Agriculture needs roads connecting production areas with the markets in order to develop the sector, and the same applies to industry or tourism, to name but a few. We consider ourselves a pillar of the economy and we execute our plans accordingly.

P.M. Communications: What role does the Ministry of Transport play in projects like the expansion of the railway network?

H.E. Jubarah Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: The Ministry's role is to oversee and coordinate all these projects from the very beginning. We launch the ideas, we promote them, we look for investors and, finally, we make sure that everything is implemented in the right way.

Once the railway project is finished, Saudi Arabia will be connected not only to Jordan, Syria and Turkey, as but to the entire European network as well.

PM Communications: SAPTCO is also trying to link the entire Kingdom through its bus service. Any comments on their recent initiatives and projects?

H.E. Jubarah Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: One of their recent achievements is the implementation of an intelligent monitoring system, whereby they know at all times the position, the speed and the driver of each bus. Their entire fleet will be covered by the end of this year, and we at the Ministry are asking all companies to do the same. We have big plans regarding intelligent transportation.

They are also focused on improving urban public transportation, increasing the number of buses operating and selecting the new ones carefully, so they fit the city better.

PM Communications: I would like to talk about the ports in Saudi Arabia and their contribution to the economy. How do you plan to boost their performance in the next years?

H.E. Jubarah Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: Our main objective is to constantly improve the quality of our ports and compete successfuly with any other advanced port in the world. Our geographic location, together with our solid economy makes Saudi Arabia an excellent location for international ports. Jeddah Islamic Port has climbed eleven positions in 2004 and is now ranked as the thirty best port in the world, and AL-jubail's King Fahed Industrial Port has earned two major international awards in the last two years.

We are upgrading Jeddah Islamic Port with a third terminal, in a Saudi-Malay joint venture operation worth 1.6 billion SR. The capacity will increase by one million five hundred thousand TEU's, and it will be used mainly for re-export and industrial activities. Moreover, it will enhance competition between operators and therefore increase productivity.

Jeddah Islamic Port is one of the pillars of Saudi economy. More than 65% of our imports come in through the port, and now, with the land bridge being built, it will become even more important. It will boost the distribution of products, not only to Riyadh or the Eastern Province, but also to the Gulf countries.

Moreover, in two years time, Yemen and Jordan will be connected by a Highway running all along the Red Sea coastline. And, in general, the entire country will be connected by highways in a very short period of time.

The transport sector is vital to the kingdom’s economy. A vast network of railways and roads connects the thirteen provinces, and airport access is being constantly expanded.

PM Communications: What benefits will the accession to the WTO bring to Saudi Arabia?

H.E. Jubarah Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: Saudi Arabia has always been an open economy. Our leaders have never imposed restrictive or protective measures, and, consequently, we have drawn great benefits. Competition with international markets has raised the quality of Saudi products and boosted exports.

We are a major player in terms of international trade, so I think the accession is positive for Saudi Arabia, for the WTO, and for the rest of the world. Being a member of such an organization will contribute to abetter trading system, and will be able to defend our interest better .

Moreover, we will be able to contrast some of our laws and policies in international trade with others outside, and review them if necessary. The international trading system is under constant evolution, and it is very important to adapt to the times. Saudi Arabia has proven to be extremely successful in this matter. The Custodian of the Two Holly Mosques , King Abdullah bin Abd Alaziz is leading far reaching reform Program ,the admission of Saudi Arabia to the WOT is one of its many benefits .

PM Communications: Would you like to add anything or voice any message to foreign investors?

H.E. Jubarah Al Suraisry- Minister of Transport: Saudi Arabia is a great country to visit and to invest in. People have to come and see for themselves. Every foreign visitor comes to Saudi Arabia leaves the country with good impression, a very different one than what they had before.