Amazon to create 1,500 jobs in Saudi Arabia

E-commerce giant will have six fulfilment centres and 13 delivery stations across the kingdom by the end of this year

Amazon is doubling the number of fulfilment centres in Saudi Arabia this year, to six. Image courtesy of Amazon

E-commerce giant Amazon is creating more than 1,500 jobs in Saudi Arabia.

The company will open 11 new buildings across the kingdom, as it grows its network to six fulfilment centres to house goods and 13 delivery stations from which parcels are dispatched. It currently has three fulfilment centres in Riyadh and Jeddah.

“These new investments reiterate our commitment to Saudi Arabia, contributing to the local economy through the creation of new job opportunities,” Amazon’s Middle East and North Africa director of operations, Prashant Saran, said.

Saudi Arabia was ranked sixth in Agility's annual Emerging Markets Logistics Index last month. According to the kingdom's inward investment agency, Invest Saudi, the logistics market was forecast to reach 94 billion Saudi riyals ($25bn) last year.

Amazon, which last year increased net profit by 84 per cent to $21.3bn as revenue grew 38 per cent to $386.1bn, said its investment in the kingdom will increase its storage capacity by 89 per cent, covering a floor area of more than 80,000 square metres. By the end of this year, it will also increase its delivery coverage area in the kingdom by 58 per cent.

The company launched its Amazon Prime service, which offers same day and next day delivery, in the kingdom in January.

"Our investments in technology and infrastructure align with Saudi's digital transformation goals, enabling world-class fulfilment offerings to our independent seller partners, and faster delivery on an expanded product selection to our customers," Mr Saran said.