Looking back on 2009 and it seems the Middle East logistics sector has faced its most challenging year to date. Following years of positive reports on the continued growth of companies across this industry, we’ve had the unfortunate task of reporting on company closures and job redundancies.
However, every cloud has its silver lining, which has been especially true in this region compared to developed markets such as Europe and the United States. In fact, the vast majority of companies that are featured in our annual review this year have decided to take a deep breath in these challenging times and concentrate on understanding their business operations a little better. The strategy, in most cases, has worked wonders and reports about lower operating costs and higher profit margins have become a common theme in this issue of Logistics Middle East.
Moving ahead, with 2009 finally drawing to a close, its time to start thinking about the future, with growth forecasts in the region being a lot more positive, especially when compared to this time in 2008. Of course, it’s important to keep your expectations as realistic as possible and the general consensus is that a recovery will commence in 2010,
but the process will be slow and steady - a situation that most of the companies in the December issue of Logistics Middle East magazine have welcomed with open arms.
We’re also starting the countdown for next year’s Supply Chain and Transport Awards (SCATA), which have proved a remarkable success in the previous three years and promise to return on a grander scale in 2010. Given the economic climate and the attitude that ‘change is around the corner’, these awards will offer a perfect opportunity to celebrate the logistics industry’s biggest achievements in the past year. Further information will be provided in the coming months and we welcome your suggestions for next year’s ceremony.
If you have any comments or suggestions to make on this month’s issue, please email Robeel Haq, senior group editor of Logistics Middle East (robeel.haq@itp.com)
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