Saudia Cargo, Henan Aviation Group ink deal to bolster routes between Riyadh, Zhengzhou

30/04/2025 01:27 AST

Saudi Arabia and China are strengthening their air cargo cooperation through a new agreement to create a joint freight hub as part of the Air Silk Road initiative.

The deal, inked between Saudia Cargo and Henan Aviation Group, will see new new routes opened between Riyadh and Zhengzhou, according to a statement.

This correlates with the Saudi Aviation Strategy, which recognizes the need to increase air connectivity with key markets such as China as part of the Kingdom's goal of transporting 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030.

The statement further highlighted that the agreement aims to "support integrated logistics services and free trade zone development" and "advance sustainability and cross-border e-commerce through logistics innovation."

It also seeks to explore investment opportunities in the high-tech and aviation sectors in Zhengzhou.

The MoU came during a meeting held by President of the General Authority of Civil Aviation Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Duailej in Riyadh with Henan Province Vice Governor Sun Shougang to bolster investments between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the discussion, the two sides discussed strengthening economic relations, focusing on fostering high-quality investments for leading firms and empowering the private sector to seize available opportunities. Both parties also explored enhancing Saudi-Chinese air transport in alignment with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Aviation Strategy.

GACA also held a Saudi-Chinese roundtable to explore collaboration opportunities in logistics zones and air cargo. The meeting included the Chairman of China Henan Aviation Group, along with representatives from national carriers and logistics firms.

The roundtable also included various Saudi government entities, such as the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Investment, and the Ministry of Transport and Logistic Services, as well as the Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade, the Economic Cities and Special Zones Authority, the Industrial Center, and the Air Connectivity Program.

The Chinese delegation conducted a field visit to the Special Integrated Logistics Zone in Riyadh and the cargo zones at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, where they observed operational capabilities, cargo-handling facilities and zones, e-commerce shipments, and the digital capabilities and mechanisms in use.

The delegation also visited King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, where they toured the Airport Operations Control Center to observe the services provided as well as explored the commercial areas, and duty-free store.

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Chinese company COSCO Shipping has launched its first office in the Kingdom in Dammam in an attempt to enhance operational efficiency and logistical connectivity.

This move also strengthens the firm's partnership with the Saudi Ports Authority, or Mawani, supports trade growth, and achieves the goals of the nation's Vision 2030 of consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global logistics hub.

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Saudi Arabia's National Housing Co. has extended its partnership with China State Construction Engineering Corporation, which aims to build 20,000 housing units within NHC destinations.

The partnership has been realized through the launch of multiple projects across NHC sites in the Eastern Region, Riyadh, and Jeddah, delivering over 3,800 housing units.

It comes as an extension of the Saudi-Chinese partnership series and several agreements signed with Chinese firms during the official visit to China by Minister Al-Hogail and NHC CEO Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Buty.

NHC stated that the partnership extends its efforts to enhance the real estate supply and inject more housing units through quality partnerships with major international companies to establish urban destinations with high-quality standards across the Kingdom.

Arab News