EDB hosts logistics seminar in Antwerp

The Economic Development Board (EDB) hosted on Monday a seminar at The Antwerp MAS Pavilion. The seminar was attended by local and international businesses, which discussed the opportunities for logistics firms in the trillion dollar Gulf market. It also highlighted Bahrain’s logistics sector and infrastructure and how Bahrain functions as a regional logistics hubs to service the Gulf region. The seminar covered a range of different aspects within the logistics sector including logistics services for chemicals, food, plastics, and building materials. Alongside the discussion panel, the seminar also involved a number of business to business meetings between local companies and members of the Bahraini delegation, aimed at creating business links between the two sides and providing opportunities for investment. As the economies of the Gulf continue to expand, demand for logistics services is expected to increase. The GCC market is already worth over one trillion dollars, and is expected to reach two trillion dollars by 2020. Because of its easy access to the rest of the region and strong regional transport links, as well as its skilled local workforce and low cost of doing business, Bahrain is a natural home for businesses looking to access the GCC. The members of the Bahrain delegation attending the conference were: • Dr. Wolfgang Hoppmann – CEO, Schmidt Agility Middle East Logistics • Mr. Yousif Bin Sanad - Senior Commercial Manager, APM Terminals Bahrain • Mr. Khalid Abdulla – Area Manager, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo W.L.L. • Mr. Sukhesh Rajan - Chemical Logistics Expert, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo W.L.L. • Mr. Per Dynes Jorgensen - General Manager, Al Moayed Wilhelmsen Ltd. • Mr. Ahmed Al Baharna, Asst General Manager-Science and Industry Division, International Agencies Co LTD. • Mr. Santosh V. Pai - General Manger, Intercol Logistics • Mr. Bassam Ameen – Head of Business Development, Bahrain Logistics Zone Bahrain has made, and continues to make, significant investments in its logistics infrastructure, and the industry is set to flourish in the coming years as cargo volumes in the Gulf increases. Bahrain is ranked second in the Middle East and 32nd of 155 economies worldwide in the World Bank’s Global Logistics Performance Index 2010. Significant infrastructure projects include: The Khalifa bin Salman Port, Bahrain Logistics Zone, Bahrain International Airport expansion projects, Salman Industrial City Project, Bahrain International Investment Park and the planned rail and road bridge to Qatar.