News / As Saudi pumps $133bn into global hub dream, is it now logistics-washing?

Riyadh skyline © Wajd Ramadan

Saudi Arabia has captured headlines with its multi-billion-dollar patronage of football, golf and boxing – which critics dismiss as sports-washing, designed to deflect attention from the country’s appalling record on human rights.

But what has often been overlooked is that the desert kingdom is also pumping an estimated $133bn into logistics infrastructure and freight handling capacity as it seeks to diversify its economy and increase non-oil GDP.

It’s aim is to become not only a regional, but a global logistics powerhouse, Dubai ...