The Middle East Logistics Report 2006 is packed full of useful macro-economic data, providing an ideal background to the growth of the express and logistics industries in the region. Included in the report are statistics on trade, GDP and demographic figures for the region as well as individual countries.
Read MoreDelivery companies are consolidating
“WE ARE competing with giants,” says Fadi Ghandour. The Jordanian businessman has first-hand experience of consolidation in the logistics business. He is chief executive of ARAMEX International, which began life as the Middle East partner of a number of American delivery companies. Partnerships and alliances allow operators to link with others to provide services in places where they have no operations of their own. All went well until 2003, when DHL bought Airborne Express, ARAMEX’s chief partner in America. The deal gave DHL a way to compete in the backyard of UPS and FedEx. But for ARAMEX it meant its link to the crucial American market was cut.
Read MoreARAMEX has announced that it has acquired Egypt-based Freight Professionals, a leading freight forwarding company specializing in air and sea freight.
With this acquisition, ARAMEX will consolidate its presence in Egypt as a major player providing a full, multi-modal transportation link to every country in the world as well as full coverage of the domestic local market. Operational since 1995, Freight Professionals employs 86 people and has offices at Alexandria’s and Cairo’s Airports as well as at Port Said, in addition to its main offices in Cairo. The company also provides customs brokerage services in the respective ports. Mr. Fadi Ghandour, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARAMEX, said: ‘The decision to acquire this excellent freight forwarding company fits perfectly within our strategic direction of solidifying and expanding our presence in the region. Freight Professionals provides us with a clear competitive advantage in the Egyptian market, adding new expertise, specifically in Sea Freight. The synergy of Freight Professionals with ARAMEX in Egypt is strong and will help us provide the market with complete supply chain solutions.’
The Middle East’s transportation industry including the $10 billion (Dh36. 8 billion) logistics and express mail market is set for more competition, consolidation and privatisation in the coming five years, a study from The National Investor (TNI) said.
“Following the worldwide convergence towards ‘one stop shop’ supply chain and logistics management solutions, we believe the transportation industry in the Middle East is on the verge of revolutionary developments such as consolidation and privatisation,” said the comprehensive research report obtained by Gulf News. The report comes in the wake of the ongoing initial public offering (IPO) of Arab International Logistics Company that plans to acquire Aramex International.
The Middle East logistics market is valued at more than $10 billion with the GCC market accounting for about 10 per cent of this. The UAE accounts for roughly 35 per cent of the GCC but Saudi Arabia leads with a 55 per cent share.
Read MoreARAMEX has revealed significant development plans for the region, including the opening of new logistics centres in Dubai, Cairo, Jeddah and Beirut and a major expansion of the existing facility in Amman. ARAMEX will significantly strengthen its regional presence over the coming months, not least with its expansion plans for its logistics business. The company has also confirmed that it will use The World Mail, Express & Air Cargo Expo taking place in Dubai in March to spotlight its regional development strategy. Organised by Streamline Marketing and Triangle Management Services, the conference-led exhibition will be staged from 1-2 March at the Dubai World Trade Centre and, according to premium sponsor ARAMEX, is the natural forum in which to discuss the unique and expanding mix of mail, express and freight services which it calls ‘total transportation solutions.’
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