The Saudi Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) has signed a framework agreement with Riyadh Air to join and activate its services through the unified framework agreement for government ERCAB in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the National Center for Government Resource Systems.

This step will contribute to expanding the options available to government entities and ERCAB service beneficiaries through Etimad platform, as well as enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of government travel services.

The joining and activation of Riyadh Air will further enhance competition among national carriers, alongside the existing carriers under the agreement, Saudia Airline and Flyadeal. 

This will increase seat capacity, expand the network of destinations, broaden flight schedules, enhance booking flexibility, and provide service packages that meet the diverse needs of public sector employees and government ERCAB beneficiaries, said a Saudi Press Agency report.

Etimad platform is automating and streamlining the entire government travel process through the government ERCAB service, from creating ERCAB orders to booking and electronically issuing travel tickets, through an integrated digital experience that improves operational efficiency and enhances the customer experience.

Unified procurement framework agreements is one of EXPRO's contracting methods on behalf of government entities, in its capacity as competent authority of unified strategic procurement in Government Tenders and Procurement Law, which is a unified agreement with one or more service providers with the aim of achieving the best value for public money, enhancing government spending, saving time spent in the purchasing process, as well as unifying the prices of products and services provided to government entities, improving its quality and standardizing its specifications.

EXPRO recently signed an agreement with Flynas to join the Unified Framework Agreement for Government ERCAB and will subsequently announce the activation of its services. EXPRO will continue to diversify suppliers and add new carriers to the agreement to improve the flexibility and efficiency of government travel services and meet the needs of government entities and ERCAB beneficiaries.