Forward-Thinking Speakers Address The Industry At The Global Logistics Forum 2010

HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan officially supports the forum

A host of leading local and international industry experts are expected to speak at The Global Logistics Forum to be held on new dates 15th and 16th March, 2010, at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahar, Abu Dhabi, who will address the growing demand for logistics services and infrastructure in the Middle East.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Rulers Representative in the Western Region, the forum aims to bridge the gap between the global supply chain industry and the regional logistics sector. The forum organised by Aim, the Events Management Division of Abu Dhabi University, will also discuss subjects related to customising local requirements of infrastructure projects, and the development of the global logistic services in the Middle East region

According to the International Logistics Performance Index’s cross-country comparison, the UAE presently ranks the highest in the region in terms of performance within the logistics and supply chain industry, marking 3.63% growth during 2009. Bahrain follows in second place at 3.37%, and Kuwait comes third at 3.28%.

“With the outbreak of developmental projects in the tertiary sector, there is now, more than ever, a need to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks, and success factors from a local and global point of view,” said James Graham, General Manager, Aim.  “The Global Logistics Forum is an ideal platform for the integration of ideas from the best minds in the industry, and it paves the way for not only the conception of innovative solutions in logistics, but also ensures that these are brought to reality.

“The speakers at this year’s Global Logistics Forum will collectively bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding about ever-changing strategies within the logistics industry, and attendees will benefit from their shared insight on what is required not only to fulfil the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, but also to succeed in the global market,” Graham added.

Resulting from a long-term strategic partnership between the Abu Dhabi University and the Berlin Institute of Technology (TU-Berlin) Chair of Logistics, an internationally renowned university in Germany, the Global Logistics Forum is a step towards the development of a long term, high quality programme of courses, events and knowledge transfer within the field of supply chain logistics.

Among the main speakers is Mohamed Al Shamsi, Port Unit Vice President, Abu Dhabi Ports Company, who will discuss the future of the country’s logistics industry in parallel with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, and Professor Dr. Stephan Reimelt, Chief Executive Officer, IPIC Ferrostaal Contracting, and member of the Executive Board, MAN

Ferrostaal AG will provide an understanding of the factors that bring success to local projects run by global players at the forum.

Meanwhile, Professor Dr. Eng. Frank Straube, member of the Management Board of the European Logistics Association, will account the varying global logistics strategies within different sectors and industries, and their resulting impact on the global logistics industry. On the other hand, Peter Glatz, Chief Executive Officer, Schenker Middle East, is set to highlight the challenges, potential developments, customer requirements and the success factors for global business developers in the logistics industry in the Middle East.

The two-day event, which was to be originally hosted on 8th and 9th February, 2010, has been postponed to meet the requirements reflected by the growing level of interest in the forum. It will also include three interactive workshops involving various visits to significant infrastructure locations and logistics service providers, as well as provide an ample opportunity for networking with the brains of the industry from the region and from around the world. The forum will bring together global supply chain leaders, logistics managers and the local and international policy makers from the local and global logistics industry. 

Furthermore, speaking about how the Middle East can support and benefit from the success of global companies’ supply chain is Professor Dr. Hans-Christian Pfohl, Technische Universität Darmstadt, and member of the Board of the European Logistics Association. Discussing the impediments of growth in the Middle East will be Frederic Hendrick, Chairman of the Management Board of the French Logistics Association (ASLOG), Alstom. Professor Lauri Ojala, Research and Education Turku School of Economics, Finland, will talk about the methodology of the Logistics Performance index and what the “best” countries do differently.

The forum is supported by the Institute for Vocational Development, a member of the Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group; The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; and German Logistics Association. For more information about the event, please visit www.globallogisticsforum.com.

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