KUALA LUMPUR: Dagang NeXchange Bhd's (DNeX) wholly-owned subsidiary Dagang Net Technologies Sdn Bhd has completed the implementation of Saudi Arabia's Makkah Route initiative across six airports in three countries.
The Makkah Route initiative streamlines the Hajj pilgrimage process for incoming pilgrims by facilitating pre-clearance procedures in their home countries, allowing a smoother arrival in Saudia Arabia with direct transfers to accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.
In 2024, Dagang Net secured an RM11.5 million contract to support the Makkah Route initiative, playing a key role in ensuring a smooth Hajj pilgrimage for participating countries.
Dagang Net focused on overseeing site facilitation, technical and technological equipment for the designated immigration pre-clearance system areas established by Saudi Arabia within six sites for its Hajj operations namely in Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkiye, involving a collaborative effort between DNeX and these countries.
DNeX executive chairman Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said its involvement helps to alleviate some of the challenges pilgrims faced by streamlining the entry process, allowing them to focus entirely on this holy experience.
"The project not only allowed DNeX to contribute to a meaningful cause but also provided valuable experience in working with international partners and airport authorities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Türkiye and expands DNeX's presence in the region while opening opportunities for future collaborations," he said in a statement today.
Dagang Net was first awarded this project in 2019, whereby it was initially tasked to provide site facilitation, technical and technological equipment at the designated pre-clearance system areas in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Its track record in the successful implementation in the two countries resulted in an additional site awarded in Turkiye in 2023, and further additional three sites in Turkiye and Indonesia in 2024.
To date, the six sites involved are KLIA Terminal 1 (Malaysia), Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (Jakarta, Indonesia), Juanda International Airport (Surabaya, Indonesia), Adi Soemarmo Airport (Solo, Indonesia), Istanbul Airport (Istanbul, Turkiye) and Ankara Esenboga Airport (Ankara, Turkiye).
The project was awarded by Elm Company, a Saudi government-owned entity that is incorporated by the Public Investment Fund, which is the investment arm of the Saudi's Finance Ministry.