Abu Dhabi University is staging the Global Logistics Forum 2010, an event seeking to bridge the gap between the global supply chain industry and the regional logistics sector, on February 8 and 9.

In line with the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the forum will discuss subjects related to customising local requirements of infrastructure projects and the development of the global logistics services in the region.

The Global Logistics Forum is also part of a long-term strategic partnership between the Abu Dhabi University and the Berlin Institute of Technology (TU-Berlin) Chair of Logistics, an internationally renowned university in Germany.

It represents the first step in developing a long term, high quality programme of courses, events and knowledge transfer in the field of supply chain logistics, a statement said.

A recent report stated that the logistics sector in the Mena region is expected to experience high growth over the next few years to reach $27 billion in 2012, from the present $18 billion, as a result of rising foreign investment and government policies favouring expansion.

“Despite the economic downturn, the region is still experiencing a strong demand for logistics services and infrastructure and has outpaced the global logistics market,” said Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, chairman of Abu Dhabi University.

“The ongoing infrastructure projects in the UAE requires a proper understanding of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, risks, and success factors from the local and global point of view,” he added.

“The Global Logistics Forum will also address subjects related to Abu Dhabi’s Master Plan and Economic Vision 2030,” Al Dhaheri continued.

“We will bring global supply chain leaders and heads of various international logistics organisations to tackle the needs of the local supply chain and logistics industry and the logistics services and infrastructure in the global economic crisis.”

In order to provide delegates with well rounded information and a hands-on grasp of concepts, the Global Logistics Forum will include three workshops involving various visits to significant infrastructure locations, as well as logistics service providers.

Workshop topics will include optimising logistics infrastructure and logistics service offerings in industrial estates ports, airports and trading hubs; introduction of transportation concepts as key leverage for increasing the value of logistics’ infrastructure for logistics service providers (LSPs) and assessment and selection of LSPs.

Logistics managers and the local and international policy makers will learn more about the recent trends in global logistics and transport and the relevance of local and global logistics business networks and communities for the development of logistics markets and challenges, said the statement.

Another topic to be discussed will be success factors of collaboration and cooperation with suppliers, infrastructure operators and customers in the Middle East.

The Global Logistics Forum 2010 is organised by Aim, the events division of Abu Dhabi University. – TradeArabia News Service