Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) has launched the Supplier Development Initiative during the second annual Saudi International Rail Exhibition and Conference, held at ROSHN Front in Riyadh.

SAR Chief Executive Bashar AlMalik stated that the launch of the initiative represents a practical step toward accelerating industrial localisation and enhancing local content, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

He emphasised that SAR continues to empower Saudi small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing interactive platforms that help them integrate into the supply-chain ecosystem, contributing to the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy and the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030.

The initiative is one of the main programmes under ASASAT — a programme launched by Minister of Transport and Logistic Services and SAR Chairman Saleh Al-Jasser during the inaugural edition of the conference in November 2024. It aims to empower local suppliers, enhance their competitiveness, and strengthen their participation in SAR's supply chains.

Through this initiative, the programme seeks to open new investment opportunities for Saudi manufacturers and suppliers, including the manufacturing and rehabilitation of rolling stock, the production of mechanical and electrical spare parts, infrastructure construction and maintenance, and the development of smart technologies, in addition to promoting sustainability through clean energy solutions.

 ASASAT was launched in cooperation with the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority to support the industrial development of the railway sector, targeting investments exceeding SAR15 billion by 2030, creating more than 3,000 job opportunities for citizens, and localizing over 60% of the industries and services related to the sector by 2025.