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Dubai on Track to Become Global Logistics Leader

“Dubai has a strategic plan that has established goals and objectives that directly affect how trade is done in Dubai. One of these goals is to establish Dubai as a global leader in transport and logistics by 2015,” Al Zaffin said at the inauguration of the Global Shippers Forum and SITL Dubai at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre 
on Tuesday.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority & Chairman of the Emirates Group, opened the event and welcomed leading logistics and transport companies and shippers from across the globe. In today’s markets companies do not just compete on brands and products, but also through their supply chains, he said. “Companies that control the flow of goods across national boundaries so that the right product is on the shelf at the right time at competitive cost wins,” Al Zaffin said.

Efficiency, productivity and cost savings in logistics and supply chains require collaboration between all parties in the chain. It is important for everyone concerned to be aware of the emerging trends and opportunities, he said. “Dubai is positioned to offer the world’s business community supply chain competitive advantages that will help you achieve those three common themes of improved customers care, reduced costs, and an improvement in supply chain predictability,” he said.

Al Zaffin said the SITL Exhibition and the Global Shippers Conference would serve as a platform for exploring solutions to challenges facing global shipping industry.

Dick van den Broek Humphreij, Chairman of the European Shippers’

Council, said shippers’ representatives should fight for the freight transport interests of small business as vigorously as they would fight for the interest of big multinationals. “The majority of people are employed by small companies. Without them, trade and commerce – the lifeblood of society, its prosperity and future well-being would be threatened,” he said.

“Ignore Small Businesses at Your Peril,” Humphreij said.

A recent research report from Standard Chartered Bank said the logistics industry could emerge as the United Arab Emirate’s biggest asset outside 
of oil. “More than a ‘stop-off’ point, the UAE is becoming a logistics hub that serves a vast population, with its location at the crossroads of major shipping routes between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, while one-third of the world’s population is also located within four hours by plane,” said Philippe Dauba-Pantanacce, senior economist at Standard Chartered Bank. The UAE has already spent around $26 billion to develop the country’s air and maritime infrastructure, according to the Hannover-based exhibition company 
Deutsche Messe.

The high-profile projects underway in the UAE include the $7 billion Dubai World Central airport initiated by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the Abu Dhabi Airport Company’s $6.5 billion expansion program for the UAE capital’s airport — including a logistics park — and a $1.6 billion expansion programme for the Jebel Ali Port by Dubai Ports Authority, said the Hannover-based exhibition company 
Deutsche Messe.

· issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com