Materials Handling Middle East 2009 Conference to discuss green agenda and technology in logistics

Materials Handling Middle East exhibition breaks the downward sloping economic trend in the industry with over 150 exhibitors from 20 countries booking for the three-day event, taking place from May 31 to June 2, 2009 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The exhibitors will be from the logistics, supply chain, freight & cargo, automation, and information & communication technology fields.

On the first day of the conference Mr. Gary Benatar, Chairman of the Industrial Logistics System, will deliver the welcome remarks and provide an overview of the conference agenda, followed by a presentation on 'The development of Economic Zones World' by Mr. Ibrahim Al Janahi, Chief Commercial Officer of the UAE Region, Jebel Ali Free Zone.

Next in line will be discussions led by Mr. Jeremy Brown of Industrial Logistic Systems and Mr. Geoff Wheatley, MD of SSI Schaefer Systems International DWC LLC; they will speak on 'Going beyond green buildings - Greener & more sustainable operations' and 'Green warehousing'.

Day two of the conference will focus on security, safety standards, and risk management in the logistics industry. Presentations and panel discussions will feature expert speakers from the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Al Nabooda Insurance Brokers L.L.C, Nikai, and the Dubai Police (TBC).

Mr. Mario Seneviratne from Green Technologies FZCO will review the issues in achieving 'Green efficiency' on 2nd June, last day of the Materials Handling Middle east 2009 Conference.

Mr. Tariq Hasan, the Senior Technical Architect of Westcon/Motorola will follow next giving an insight on the 'Use of mobility systems in material handling'. Soon after, a speech on 'Technology in supply chain management' will be delivered by Mr. John Tansey, the General Manager of UPS UAE LLC.

Mr. Raheel Khan, the Regional Director of Business Systems Group, will then give a '360 degree view of supply chain' to all the attendees, followed by a case study interpretation by Mr. Rajeev Nair, Logistics Manager at the Sun and Sand Sports LLC.

The 3rd annual Supply Chain & Transport Awards (SCATA) will be held in association with Materials Handling Middle East on June 1, the second day of the trade exhibition and conference.

Mr. Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Senior Show Manager of the Materials Handling Middle East exhibition, said:

"The Awards will bring together over 200 of the region's top executives from the supply chain and logistics industry to celebrate the leading achievements of the year in air cargo, sea freight and logistics."

He added, "Freight and logistics have been witnessing unprecedented growth even during a difficult economic climate. For instance, the Dubai Airport Free Zone declared 48% growth in net profit for the first quarter of this year and 49% growth in revenue compared to the same period last year. This development can only have a positive effect in the freight and logistics industry in the Gulf and Middle East region."

Materials Handling Middle East, now in its fifth year is being held under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group and head of Dubai Civil Aviation, and chairman of Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Materials Handling Middle East 2009 will provide the exhibitors with the ideal business setting that encourages and initiates business transactions while maximizing and pushing the potential of trade limits.

Key suppliers and decision makers from throughout the world will be present at the show to complement the needs and requirements of the key buyers.