Bahrain key hub for logistics says A.T. Kearney

A.T. Kearney, a global strategic management consultancy firm, recognizes the potential that Bahrain has and is consulting on the Bahrain Logistics Zone (BLZ).

A customs free logistics park in the state-of-the-art Khalifa Bin Salman Port, regulated by Bahrain General Organization of Seaports (GOP), BLZ leverages Bahrain's unique location in the Gulf as a regional hub for logistics.

Bahrain is a liberal and progressive business destination with the largest concentration of financial institutions in the Middle East and well known for its investor friendliness.

Now Bahrain also ranks number two in the Middle East in the World's Bank Logistics Performance Index 2007, adding to its attractiveness for companies operating in the region.

"Bahrain's strategic location at the heart of the Gulf not only enables central access to the whole of the Gulf region; it also makes Bahrain ideally positioned to serve the wider markets of the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent; markets importing over $400bn a year,"

says Robert Ziegler, Vice President, A.T. Kearney Middle East.

BLZ is aiming to boost Bahrain's viability as a logistics hub for the region, focusing on local and international companies interested in expanding to the GCC.

The zone will be the first of its kind in the Middle East to open a boutique-style logistics area that focuses on re-export and value-adding logistics activities.

The combination of highly developed road, sea and air connections provides significant opportunities for businesses wishing to deploy a multi-modal logistics strategy.

Most recently the zone appointed Hamad Fakhro as the Assistant Director General of BLZ.

Fakhro comes from a financial background working with the Central Bank of Bahrain before joining Customs, Ports and Free Zone Affairs in 2000.

He has headed the Directorate of Operations, Free Zones since 2007. In his new position as Assistant Director General he reports directly to the Director General of General Organization of Seaports and is responsible for the entire operations of the Bahrain Logistics Zone.

"Over the last four decades Bahrain has undergone a steady and controlled growth in its economy as it successfully diversifies away from oil. This has resulted in a uniquely favourable business environment, one the Bahrain Logistics Zone will play an integral role in," said Fahkro.

BLZ will have a unique component - an ultra-modern sea port with a capacity of 1.5 M TEUs and world-class customs processes facilitating re-exports throughout the Bahrain surrounding region.

With the causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and with another causeway planned to Qatar, the future looks bright for Bahrain.