Special Features
New Infrastructure To Spur Growth In Logistics For GCC, Says Expert
More logistics infrastructure are expected to be created in the GCC that would pave the way for competitive logistics services, as regional governments, municipalities and private investors have placed logistics development on their agenda, said a logistics expert in the region.According to Dr. Roland Zibell, Director of ADI Services FZE, although Dubai remains to be the only outstanding hub for trading and logistics in the GCC, more locations have the potential to develop into platforms with good logistics infrastructure and service offerings.
“While this development has been focused on the UAE, there is now a clear trend that more locations and countries will follow,” said Zibell. “We can expect more and better logistics infrastructure being created in the GCC and more competitive logistics services being offered.”
Scheduled to speak at the first Global Logistics Forum, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Rulers Representative in the Western Region, Zibell also added that most companies, investors and governments in the GCC have re-focused on sustainable development of business and infrastructure.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the total GCC medium-term project investment stood at US$2,193 billion last year, wherein 44% were real estate projects while 19% each accounted for infrastructure, oil and gas. The UAE and Saudi Arabia were among the two leading countries in the GCC with 41.8% and 28.8% of investment respectively. Bahrain is also investing US$2.9bn to upgrade its logistics infrastructure, including a new bridge to Qatar, an airport expansion, a state of the art logistics zone and a larger port.
A consultant to Dubai Logistics City (DLC), Zibell also said that the forum happening on 15th and 16th March 2010, at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahar, Abu Dhabi, is an important milestone for the logistics development in the region.
“The Global Logistics Forum bringing together leading logistics experts in the UAE capital will trigger the understanding that logistics is not only to be associated with Dubai as a trading and logistics platform, but that logistics can be the pillar of sustainable business development throughout the region. The logistics sector usually is the first to feel a downturn, but also the first to feel the rebound,” Zibell said.
He added that the GCC are not only a nodal point in East-West trade, but also for the trade into Africa and for the own home market – both increasing in trading volumes due to strong growth which is spurred by the demographic development.
“There is enough volume to come for the logistics sector towards not only grow existing hubs but also to boost further locations. Any competition in between GCC’s ‘trading and logistics hubs’ would help to keep the logistics sector on a path of sustainable development, continuous improvement, and growth.”
The Global Logistics Forum is jointly presented by Abu Dhabi University and the Berlin Institute of Technology (TU-Berlin) Chair of Logistics. Former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency Gerhard Schröder will address the forum’s opening keynote speech.
Organised by Aim Events, the Events Management Division of Abu Dhabi University, the forum is also supported by the Institute for Vocational Development, a member of the Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group; The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; and BVL, the German Logistics Association. For more information about the event, please visit www.globallogisticsforum.com.
