Government | Monday 13 April, 2015 3:22 pm |

Freight and Logistics industry veterans to debate key trends

Government entities and industry players extend support

Event theme: Creating Relationships-Energizing Business

$27 trillion global trade in goods and services in 2030
UAE logistics market to grow to $27 billion in 2015
KSA and UAE among Top 10 countries in logistics domain
Cameroon and Ethiopia in the race to host RAME-2016

Dubai, April 13, 2015: Dubai’s rising stature as the world’s fastest growing business hub will get a boost with the global body of freight and logistics industry hosting a coveted meeting to chalk out the future growth agenda for the Middle East and Africa – two regions which holds immense untapped growth opportunities for the multi-trillion dollar global industry.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, will open the the Region Africa and Middle East (RAME-2015) conference of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) being hosted by the UAE’s National Association of Freight & Logistics (NAFL), a FIATA affiliate.
The RAME-2015, to be held under His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City from April 19 and 20, is expected to be attended by over 500 delegates from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Middle East and Africa. Industry leaders make presentations to the delegates, highlighting their regions and the synergies and business potential that exist between India, Pakistan, Middle East and Africa, from a shipping and logistics perspective.
Francesco Parisi, President of FIATA, said: “RAME is one of the fastest developing areas in the world in terms of trade growth and logistics, consequently our industry in this area is faced with challenges connected with growth. FIATA being a dynamic federation it has to hear what our members need directly from the local practitioners: the regional field meetings are the best opportunity for us to listen and understand and, as it happens, to promote the image of FIATA and its knowledge base within our constituents.”
Basil L. Pietersen, Chairman RAME, said: “This year’s RAME promises to be special. In such a short time span, we’ve all witnessed Dubai emerge as a global city and business center of the Gulf region serving as a major transport hub for passengers and cargo. Our host, NAFL, have worked tirelessly to put together a well-balanced two day agenda which is sure to highlight clear actions for the industry. The meeting will also highlight young talent through FIATA’s Young International Freight Forwarder of the Year Award.”
David Phillips, President of NAFL, said: “The conference is based upon the Trade Corridor that exists between the Indian Subcontinent and Africa, via the Middle East, and in particular Dubai and the UAE. This Trade Corridor is vibrant and exciting. RAME as a region is by itself a very vibrant business corridor, and the UAE and Dubai has been the traditional hub that bridges these regions and facilitates trade. India is now a trade power house, and when included in this ‘Trade Corridor’ makes the region, possibly the most exciting area globally. Africa is the fastest growing economy and this conference will provide delegates with the opportunity to meet potential partners. FIATA has 15 associations in Africa.”
The event has a stellar line-up of speakers including H.E Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, Atiq Juma Faraj Nasib, Senior Vice President for Commercial Services at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yousef Al Hashemi, Senior Manager of Dubai Customs, Joseph Atonga, CEO of Kenya Ports Authority, Zunaid Pochee from Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat in Namibia, and Adil Al Zarooni, Senior Vice President –Sales at Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza).
Other key speaker are Mahmood Al Bastaki, CEO of Dubai Trade, a subsidiary of Dubai World, that offers integrated electronic services from various trade and logistics service providers in Dubai under a single window, and Mohsen Ahmad, Vice President of Logistics District at Dubai World Central (DWC), the world’s first fully-integrated aerotropolis with Logistics City as its key component.
Philip Wyllie, Consultant at the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), Francesco Parisi, President, FIATA, Stephen Karingi, Director, UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Tushar Jani, Chairman SCA Group, Babar Badat, Senior Vice President of FIATA, Christian Juul-Nyholm, Managing Director of Maersk Kanoo (UAE), and Anshuman Singh, CEO of Futuregroup India, are other speakers.

Issa Baluch, Honorary Board Member, FIATA, will give a presentation on the Yamoussoukro Declaration aimed to establish a single African air transport market.
DP World, Dubai Tourism, Emirates, Dubai World Central, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza), Dubai Chambers, Etihad Airways, Freight Systems, TT Club and Newage are among the sponsors.
His Excellency Sultan bin Sulayem, Chairman of DP World, said: “This forum provides an important platform for the exchange of ideas, best practice and experiences in the historic trade ties between the Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent and Africa with a theme close to our hearts – creating value.”
He added: “Our role at DP World is indeed one of creating value – encouraging trade, economic growth and progress to flourish and we look to enable them wherever our customers want us to be. I look forward to a fruitful discussion among the industry on a part of the world where trade took root thousands of years ago and which remains an important artery for modern global economies.”
Her Excellency Salma Ali Saif bin Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World and Jafza, said: “Our sponsorship for the RAME is aimed at supporting the industry which is quite critical for the entire Middle East which is already on way to rapid expansion in the coming years. This also provides the local and regional logistics companies an opportunity to interact with key decision makers, potential customers and logistics industry’s global leaders and share their experiences and good practices to gain valuable knowledge.”
His Excellency Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber, said: “Dubai Chamber is pleased to be participating in this important forum once again. A majority of our members operate in the trade, logistics and supply chain sectors which are also main pillars of Dubai’s economy.”
“Dubai Chamber works closely with NAFL on various projects and events throughout the year as part of our goal to ensure Dubai’s leading position in the international freight and transportation fields. In addition, our Supply Chain & Logistics Group has an important role in supporting the industry through policy, education, research and networking locally and globally.”
James Hogan, President and CEO of Etihad Airways, said: “Etihad Airways is a strong supporter of NAFL and is proud to be a RAME sponsor. The Association plays an important role and assists members in the region in addressing the industry issues and the continued development of the sector. The UAE is an emerging strategic hub, linking world economies and providing an air bridge that supports the increasing flows of trade and commerce between East and West.”
According to officials, the global trade in goods and services is expected to cross the $27 trillion mark in 2030. The UAE logistics market is anticipated to grow to $27 billion this year. The Middle East, according to the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index 2014, offers “extremely lucrative” opportunities for companies able to take advantage of the region’s emergence as a global logistics hub.
Qatar, UAE, Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait ranked highest out of 45 emerging markets countries in the key category of “market compatibility”. Saudi Arabia has been a star performer among emerging markets globally, taking third spot in the 2014 Index. The UAE topped all other countries in the Index as having the best domestic and international transport infrastructure and best connections between the two.
Participants will have the opportunity to be part of field trips to the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), DP World and Dubai World Central (DWC), the organizers said.
At the meeting, members will review and approve the deliberations made at the RAME 2015 in Zurich and Lome Declaration update. The meeting will decide the venue of RAME 2016 for which Cameroon (Duala) and Ethiopia (Addis Ababa) are in the race.