The inaugural ‘Kingdom Airports, Aviation and Logistics Exhibition (KAALE 2012)’ will be held from May 1- 2, 2012 at the Centre for Events and Forums, in Jeddah , the commercial capital of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the fastest growing and already largest economy in the Arab world.

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, President, General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), KAALE 2012 is strategic exhibition specifically designed for those who wish to learn about and capitalize on the opportunities emerging in the aviation, airports and logistics sector in Saudi Arabia, the fastest growing and already largest economy in the Arab world.

The Saudi government has aggressive plans to overhaul existing transportation infrastructure which is likely to see over US$100 billion of investments flowing into the large-scale airports, seaports, rail, road and logistics projects in the next decade, with over US$30 billion allocated for the purpose in the government’s next five year plan.

KAALE 2012 will provide a excellent powerful platform for exhibitors and visitors to identify projects, develop contacts with senior decision makers and achieve what all companies want - to secure new contracts. Alongside the exhibition, a unique conference will be simultaneously held with top government decision makers and industry professionals delivering high-level presentations and expert analysis on projects on offer in the Kingdom, their technical aspects, products and smart solutions, partnering options, and contractual and legal issues to hundreds of delegates.

Saudi Arabia plans to heavily invest in constructing new airports in the country, while also expanding existing airports over the next decade. The Kingdom is estimated to be investing US$10 billion-20 billion developing and upgrading airports by 2020, with private companies to contribute as much as US$10 billion to the projects.

King Abdulaziz International Airport, in Jeddah, is being renovated and expanded as part of a three-phase, US$11.3 billion project, which is due to be completed in 2035. The purpose of the project is to increase the airport's capacity from 15 million to 80 million passengers per year. Expansion is also taking place at Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Medina - the first that GACA is developing under a PPP contract - to increase the hub's passenger capacity by 14 million every year up to 2016. Phase 1 of this project will be costing US$ 1.5 billion.

Saudi Arabian Airlines, the Middle East’s second largest carrier by revenue and passenger numbers, is accelerating multi-billion expansion of its fleet and enhancement of its operating systems in a strategy designed to prepare the airline for privatisation. A range of new aircraft have been procured and delivered in the last two years. The airline now has a fleet of around 140 aircraft with flights to cities within Saudi Arabia and around the world. The airline has also plans to conduct 90% of its engine maintenance at their new facility at KAIA would soon offer overhaul services to international airlines.

The Kingdom is also focusing on the development of railway transport to meet the market demand especially in freight sector. It is planning to spend more than $25bn on its rail network adding 3,900 kilometres of track through three major projects.

Saudi Arabia is also envisaging an investment of US$ 8bn modernizing and equipping all of its seaports with the participation of private sector. Its eight major ports handle 90% of the country's trade, including imports and exports.

Through these developments, Saudi Arabia is looking to establish itself as a key global transport and logistics hub with an ambitious plan to attract over US$900 billion investment in infrastructure, housing, power, transport and other sectors.

Saudi Arabia is the world's second largest oil producer and one of the largest economies in the Middle East. The Kingdom is ranked as the 12th most business-friendly country out of 183 economies worldwide according to the World Bank’s “Doing Business 2012” report released in October 2011.

The IMF (International Monetary Fund) estimates that Saudi Arabia's real GDP will grow by 6.5 percent, despite the difficult phase that the global economy is currently undergoing, and its nominal GDP will reach US$571 billion by the end of 2011, maintaining its position as the largest economy in the Middle East.

Moving ahead, Saudi Arabia is expected to consolidate its substantial advantages - huge energy reserves, minimal public debt, low interest rates, a rapid population growth, and an ongoing massive fiscal stimulus, valued at US$400 billion, to be spent through 2013. As the only Arab member of the G-20 and the largest recipient of foreign direct investment in 2010, valued at $21.6 billion (SR81 billion), Saudi Arabia will maintain its focus on economic diversification and sustained growth while looking to deepen trade relationships with the world.