FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, is supporting the growing volume of merchandise trade across the Middle East with FedEx Regional Economy and FedEx Regional Economy Freight services. The deferred, day-definite road services offer cost-effective solutions for less urgent shipments to businesses of all sizes, within key countries across the region.

According to the World Trade Organization, the volume of exports originating from the Middle East is expected to grow by 3.5 percent in 2024, alongside a 1.2 percent increase in imports to the region. These figures indicate that local businesses need robust logistical support to manage an increasing flow of trade.

“At FedEx, we develop products and services that solve logistical challenges for our customers, specialized to fit the unique needs of the markets they operate in,” said Taarek Hinedi, vice president of FedEx Express Middle East and Africa operations. “With trade volumes growing across the region, businesses require increasingly flexible and customized shipping solutions that cater to the nature of their operations and products. By offering cost-effective shipping alternatives for less urgent deliveries, Regional Economy services empower Saudi businesses with a wider portfolio of solutions to choose from — ultimately enabling smoother and improved trade flow across the region.”

FedEx Regional Economy and FedEx Regional Economy Freight utilize the Middle East Road Network to offer seamless connectivity between Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and the UAE, while ensuring the safe and secure transportation of goods using real-time track and trace services via fedex.com. With this service, shipments will have express clearance with competitive transit times between three to five business days for Regional Economy and four to six business days for Regional Economy Freight between key Middle East markets. 

The customs-cleared, door-to-door intra-Middle East economy road services allow businesses to save significant costs on less time-sensitive deliveries of shipments of up to 68 kg using FedEx Regional Economy, as well as shipments above 68 kg using FedEx Regional Economy Freight, without compromising reliability. 

FedEx Regional Economy services are ideal for Saudi companies operating across diverse industries, including automotive, electronics, oil and gas, fashion and retail, chemicals, e-commerce, and healthcare. These industries have different shipping requirements ranging from lightweight parcels to heavyweight shipments. Businesses can use the economy road service to ship palletized or irregular-sized goods, or goods that cannot fit in standard-size air shipping containers. 

In Saudi Arabia, FedEx also offers the Less-than-Container Load Priority service to complement its Regional Economy suite. LCL Priority adeptly combines ocean and road networks to connect the Asia Pacific with key Middle East markets, streamlining shipping operations for businesses while offering a strategic balance of speed, affordability, and efficiency.

These services are further enhanced by FedEx digital tools, which provide a range of smart logistics solutions for Saudi businesses. These include automated shipment creation and pickup scheduling functionalities, digitized trade documentation platforms, and measurement and reporting solutions that inform better decision-making. 

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co., the official distributor of Jaguar Land Rover products in Saudi Arabia, has signed a landmark partnership with Hero Balloon Flights, a subsidiary of Hero Experiences Group, the Kingdom’s first commercial hot air balloon operator, and the exclusive hot air balloon experience provider in AlUla. This collaboration is designed to enhance the guest experience in AlUla, one of the most enchanting and historic regions in Saudi Arabia.

AlUla, known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, now hosts an innovative experience that fuses tradition with modernity. This partnership will see the iconic Defender, renowned for its adventurous spirit and heritage, integrated into Hero Balloon Flights’ offerings. Guests will be transported in luxurious Defenders to enjoy breathtaking hot air balloon journeys over AlUla’s majestic canyons and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Hegra archaeological site.

Rhett Maxwell, managing director, MYNM Co. (Jaguar Land Rover), said: “The Defender, much like AlUla, is steeped in heritage, designed for adventure and embodies a legacy of endurance and exploration. Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co. is pleased to showcase the Defender’s capabilities in a setting that resonates with Jaguar Land Rover, with a shared heritage and a commitment to exceptional experiences. We are thrilled to offer guests of AlUla an unparalleled experience that combines the thrill of exploration with the utmost luxury and comfort of the Defender.”

Adam McEwan, co-founder and chief executive of Hero Experiences Group, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “The addition of the Defender to our fleet in AlUla rounds off the experience with that touch of luxury we are known for. The three key elements in this venture — AlUla, Defender, and Hero Experiences Group — are all passionate about adventure, culture, and heritage. That makes this the ideal partnership in an ideal location, giving us the opportunity to truly showcase what makes AlUla so special, enhanced by unique experiences in beautiful vehicles. We are extremely excited to partner with Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Co. in this venture. We see this to be a long-term and fruitful relationship that will take the opportunities to discover AlUla to new heights, quite literally.”

The collaboration is more than a partnership; it is a celebration of the shared values of adventure and heritage. The Defender complements AlUla’s awe-inspiring beauty, offering a harmonious blend of the past and the present. 

Together, MYNM Co. and Hero Balloon Flights are committed to providing visitors with a truly memorable and unique experience that honors the spirit of exploration as well as the rich cultural tapestry of AlUla.