BLZ ranks among the top ten leading Middle East Free Zones

The Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ), the Kingdom’s dedicated customs-free value-added logistic boutique, featured among the leading top ten Middle East free zones according to the report published by the Financial Times, fDi magazine. Dedicated to supporting excellence in all disciplines of the maritime and logistics industry, the BLZ was rated the 10th best in the cost effectiveness category in the fDi Middle East Free Zones of the Future report for 2011- 2012.The BLZ is a customs-free logistics boutique with an around-the-clock customs facility, offering its tenants added value to exports, imports and re-exports. Strategically located, the BLZ’s offering of competitive rates, world-class services, efficient turnaround times and its close proximity to the state-of-the-art Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP), has been successful in bringing leading companies to set up in the business-friendly environment in the Kingdom.In addition, the Kingdom’s world-class infrastructure links the country to the regional and global markets, thus making it conducive for international and regional logistics companies to set up business at economical costs and take advantage of the unparalleled network of inter-modal capabilities, thus achieving easy access to the markets of the Northern Gulf and the Indian sub-continent.Commenting on BLZ’s ranking, Hassan Ali Al Majed, Director General of GOP said: ““At GOP, our aim is to firmly establish BLZ as a location of choice for high-quality, flexible and value-added logistics solutions to our investors. We are therefore pleased that the Bahrain Logistics Zone has been rated amongst the ten most cost effective free zones across the Middle East. This recognition underscores BLZ’s high business potential, and is a clear recognition of its adherence to international best practices in both logistics services and facilities.The entries were scored and evaluated by an expert panel of independent judges from a total of more than 20 shortlisted free zones in the Middle East. The judges used a wide range of criteria, with a strong emphasis on the key incentives offered by special economic zones. In the cost-effectiveness category the rankings were based on a number of factors, such as cost for warehouse space and commercial facilities.According to the fDi Global Free Zones of the Future report 2010-2011 results, BLZ was ranked 9th in the world and 5th in the Middle East in the Best Overall Global Free Zones of the Future, 3rd in the world and 2nd in the Middle East in the Best Facilities category and 10th in the world and 7th in the Middle East for Best Foreign Investment Promotion Strategy.Recently, the Bahrain Logistics Zone was awarded the ‘Free Zone Authority’ Award at one of the industry’s most prestigious maritime industry awards event, the Seatrade Middle East and Indian Subcontinent Awards 2011.