From fourth left, Sheikh Ali Hussein Alireza, Managing Director of Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd., Sheikh Ali Alireza, and Chaoying Xu, General Manager of Yuejin, cut the ceremonial ribbon. JEDDAH – Saudi Arabia's strategic location and large-scale infrastructure development will position the Kingdom as one of the world's leading transport and logistics hubs. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority said on its website that the Kingdom's logistics demand would boost the cargo flows to more than 2.5 million tons by 2020, with the 60 percent of expected growth based on basic demand, 10 percent of expected growth on additional demand from leveraging additional logistics "launch pads". The Economic Cities alone will contribute an additional 86-129 million tons per annum (or approximately 30 percent of the expected growth in cargo flow through the Kingdom). Saudi Arabian domestic cargo demand is expected to grow by a 4-5 percent compound annual rate through 2020, while international flows are expected to grow at 5 percent and 7-8 percent for air and sea cargo, respectively, said the government body responsible for managing the investment environment in the Kingdom. The average tonnage throughput growth at Jeddah Islamic Port alone is forecast to average 0.9 percent a year to 2015, BMI said in another report. Against this backdrop, the land cargo transport sector is expected to further gain. The robust outlook fueled a higher demand for affordable transport truck. Amid this bright scenario, Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd. opened last week in Jeddah the first showroom for the Chinese lightweight transport truck "Yuejin" in Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the ceremony, Sheikh Ali Hussein Alireza, Managing Director of Haji Husein Alireza & Co., Ltd., dealers of Yuejin trucks in the Kingdom, said: "We noticed the high demand for lightweight transport trucks which can be used for transportation and handling of small and mid-sized cargo inside and outside cities." He added: "We wanted to contribute in meeting the needs of business sector for such multifunctional trucks that can be used in many areas of business, and provide great benefits to the development of our country." "We did not look for long time, as our options were limited to get the exclusive dealership rights for the best lightweight transport truck manufactured in China, and we did it, and got the dealership for Yuejin, the renowned Chinese truck, which is best known for its high performance, durability, strong capabilities and the ability to adapt to all work conditions and requirements," Sheikh Alireza noted. Yuejin trucks range from 3.5 to 4.5 tons in order to meet the various needs of transport. In the near future, trucks of higher capacity ranging from 6 to 8 tons will be available in the Saudi market. Yuejin trucks are equipped with a range of diesel engines with different capacities to suit all requirements. They are also fully equipped with various driving systems to ensure safety and comfortable driving, making them "the ideal partner for business sector," the company said in a statement. Chaoying Xu, General Manager of Yuejin, said on the opening of the first showroom for Yuejin trucks in Saudi Arabia, that "we have the biggest share of lightweight transport trucks market in China, which is very large market. The Saudi market is a promising market and constantly expanding. We really want to enter this market to partake in the development of this distinguished country." Nanjing Automobile Co., Ltd., manufacturer of Yuejin trucks, began producing the trucks 60 years ago and is available in more than 60 countries around the world.
