Gulf Logistics: Positive Vision on Development

Based in Kuwait, Agility is optimistic about developing the Gulf area's logistics industry, profit from growing cross-border investment, infrastructure improvements, and flourishing e-commerce business. 

As reported by a leading daily, "Gulf countries are pushing hard to diversify and integrate their economies by developing world-class infrastructure and creating fair, transparent conditions for business," said Elias Monem, Agility Global Integrated Logistics chief executive for the Middle East & Africa. 

 He also added, "Good infrastructure and stable business conditions are areas of huge competitive advantage for the Gulf region. They will be key to recovering from the economic downturn brought on by the pandemic." 

The logistics industry was severely affected by the coronavirus's pandemic, which devastated commerce and production lines when it started to spread wildly last year. Yet, the sector has steadily recovered from the difficulties triggered by a pandemic. 

In a paper, Agility stated, "significant national infrastructure improvements such as Etihad Rail, which is currently ongoing in the UAE, may probably boost domestic logistics prospects. 

The study claimed that the system linking the port of Jebel Ali, the port of Khalifa, and the port of Fujairah with industrial centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Ras Al Khaimah could see as many as 60 million tons of freight travel yearly from the sea and roads to the railway system. 

Other factors that could help the growth of the logistics industry in the region include cross-border trade reforms and an "explosive growth of the GCC e-commerce market." 

"E-commerce will reshape which businesses trade across borders, including creating new opportunities for small and medium enterprises, along with trade flows, warehouse demand in the region, and last-mile delivery opportunities," Mariam Al Foundry, group chief marketing officer of Agility, said. 

During the last year, the e-commerce market has experienced a rapid increase as governments imposed controls on travel to curb the coronavirus pandemic's outbreak. 

Trade facilitation reforms, including customs digitization measures, have the "potential to facilitate cross-border commerce, simplify and standardize the requirements of movement of goods between the countries," she said. 

The 12th edition of its Developing Markets Logistics Ranking, assembled by research firm Transportation Technology, was also published by Agility on Tuesday. 

It was centered on its appeal to logistics firms, shipping companies, air freight services, and dealers; the index scores 50 countries around developing markets. It is based on a poll of 1,200 top executives in the sector and considers three sub-indices: company foundations, global logistics, and international logistics. 

The index was topped by China, India, and Indonesia, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar ranked in the top 10. 

The UAE was ranked in the top in economic foundations, accompanied by Saudi Arabia at 3, Qatar at 4, Bahrain at 7, Oman at 8, and Kuwait at 11. In internal logistics, China, India, and Indonesia placed tops. However, China, India, and Mexico were the best nations in international trade. 

Agility is a multinational logistics company with $5.2 billion in annual sales, classified as the Kuwait stock exchange and the Dubai Financial Sector. 

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