UAE Set To Continue Primacy As Logistics Hub

DUBAI, July 12, 2011 (Press-News.org) The UAE's acknowledged status as the commercial, trade and logistics engine of the Middle East looks set to strengthen as recent reports indicate that revenues from the UAE logistics market are expected to surge to US$9.4 billion in 2014. In 2010, the total revenue from the booming logistics market was estimated to be US$7.03 bn.*

The report by Frost and Sullivan indicates that the overall growth in the logistics market in the UAE is largely fuelled by Dubai's advantageous geographical location within easy reach of burgeoning Asian powerhouses China and India and huge investments in creating a world-class logistical infrastructure. Adding to the UAE's attractiveness is one of the lowest average logistics costs in the world and the fact that the country was adjudged to have the best logistics infrastructure in the Middle East by the World Bank.

With the market decidedly upbeat about future prospects for business growth, the upcoming trade and networking event for logistics and materials handling - Materials Handling Middle East 2011 - is attracting keen interest from international and regional companies looking to strengthen their presence in the wider region. The annual gathering of those involved in logistics and materials handling in the Middle East will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 25th to 27th.

"Dubai has always been the fulcrum of trade and commerce in the region," said Ahmed Pauwels, Chief Executive Officer of organiser Epoc Messe Frankfurt. "The foresightedness of the authorities in creating a first-class logistical infrastructure and superb transport and communications networks have been instrumental in making the UAE the acknowledged regional leader in this field," he added.

The lion's share of the logistics pie in the UAE is made up of freight-forwarding functions as the country serves as an important facilitator in trans-continental trade, driven chiefly by the oil & gas, engineering and food & beverage sectors. Transportation, especially road transport, was the next biggest complement of the logistics market, followed by warehousing.

SPAN Group, one of the Middle East's leading providers of supply chain solutions will be amongst the key exhibitors at Materials Handling Middle East in September. SPAN Warehouse Solutions provide design and consulting services along with a complete range of storage equipment including racking, shelving and material handling systems for the supply chain industry. As well as exhibiting their international range of products and services, SPAN Group will also be using the exhibition as a launch pad for some of their latest products.

Camille Samaha, General Manager, SPAN Group, commented: "We have been exhibiting at the show for years. What we have achieved is getting exposure in the local and mainly the other GCC markets. We have decided to return to the show for these reasons. This year we are back even bigger than usual in terms of space and exposure. The benefits of this show are a very important part of our strategy."

The region's international freight demand is also expected to grow 8.1 per cent during the year as freight links to and via the region continue to develop. New transport projects in the pipeline such as the GCC Railway project, the many new road projects and the major expansion in air transport facilities including the world's largest cargo terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport all contribute to the growth in the industry.

All these developments are expected to be reflected at Materials Handling Middle East 2011. Also running alongside the exhibition will be a two day conference in co-operation with The House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM), Frankfurt and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International UAE (CILT - UAE). Additionally, the trade exhibition is co-located with TOC Middle East - the conference and exhibition dedicated to cargo owners, shipping lines, terminal operators and the container supply chain.

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