Industry experts say supply chain industry set to normalise by end 2009

The 'Global Logistics and SCM Strategy Day' conference was supported by DP World and was endorsed by Dubai Chamber. Supply Chain Logistics Group (SCLG) a non-profit business group, operating under the banner of the Dubai Chamber was established to promote the cause of supply chain and logistics.

Mr.Atiq Juma, Executive Director, Membership and Documentation Services Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry highlighted the active role played by Dubai Chamber in supporting the Supply Chain and Logistics sector which is one of the vibrant sectors of Dubai's economy. Juma also expressed his appreciation for the role played by the Supply Chain & Logistics business group in strengthening the position of Dubai as a logistic hub.

"Looking at the importance and the contribution of the Supply Chain & Logistics sector, Dubai Chamber has added the sector as a new category for its Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Business Award 2008,"

said Mr.Juma.

"The Future of supply chain and logistics industry is linked to future of the local and global trade. Shipping, Air Freight and Road Transport are dependent on import, export, transhipment and local distribution. Extra capacity in all these sectors have been created in most of these sectors and the current global financial crisis has affected trade and many industries and accordingly business and consequently supply chain and transport volumes have reduced. It is expected that within next 6 to 12 months supply chain volumes will normalize. Current time is for space and transport cost efficiency improvement. Supply chain and logistics Industry has to co-operate with other main industries to survive these challenging situations," said Dr Madrecha, SCLG Regional Development Committee, SCLG.

SCLG brings an opportunity of education, training, seminar and networking among like minded professionals and corporations on global basis. The theme of the event was 'Strategies for Business Excellence through effective Supply Chain and Logistics'.

"Despite global recessionary trends the supply chain and logistics industry in the region is poised for substantial expansion in the region. The reason for this is that the governments in order to boost economic activity are investing heavily in infrastructure most of it logistics related. Logistics providers in the region can make a case to global companies to use the region as their logistics base thus moving out of expensive European hubs and use the regions sate-of-the art logistics facilities to reduce costs and be more responsive. SCLG is in the forefront of furthering the cause of the logistics and supply chain industry," said Dr.Cedwyn Fernandes from Middlesex University.

Over 200 delegates belonging to senior management of SCM industry from across the globe participated at this event that comprised several speakers, panelists, moderators and track leaders, who discussed various strategies of Supply Chain management. The event featured speakers and delegates from UAE, Ireland, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, USA, UK, Malta, Saudi Arabia and India.

"SCLG facilitates member companies and supports government bodies in formulation of policy framework for logistics and supply chain industry. It endeavours to provide all members an opportunity to network among each other and help facilitate an overall professional and congenial logistics and supply chain environment. Through these summits, SCLG helps to build strategies in individual companies, support the government in policy formation in industry growth, with an aim to weather these global challenges and arrive at strategies to tackle these challenges that the industry is currently facing," said Dr.Madrecha, SCLG Regional Development Committee, SCLG.

Dr. Dermot Carey, MD, MRM Limited from Ireland emphasized on integrated technology as a key enabler for recovery, growth and consolidation of Supply Chain and Logistics industry. He said "It's worth mentioning that the old adage about systems only being as good as the information that they contain applies doubly to SCM.The payoff of timely and accurate supply chain information is the ability to make or ship only as much of a product as there is a market for. This is the practice known as just-in-time manufacturing, and it allows companies to reduce the amount of inventory that they keep. This can cut costs substantially, since you no longer need to pay to produce and store excess goods. But many companies and their supply chain partners have a long way to go before that level of supply chain flexibility can be achieved."

Welcome address was given by Dr.Cedwyn Fernandes, inaugural speech - Mr. Atiq Juma Nasib, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and keynote speech was given by Mr. Dirk Van Den Bosch, Chief Commercial Officer - DP World, UAE and Region and After the invigorating sessions, SCLG also organised a gala networking event for all the delegates and many other SCM professionals and non delegates. Many CEOs and high-level officials will be there to grace the occasion.