Quick advancements in technology and supply-chain transformations have led organisations around the world to restructure their operations to increase agility and move with the times. The Gulf region is no exception. And while we have witnessed fast growth in infrastructure to meet the demands of the logistics sectors, there is more that can be done. There are, after all, opportunities to create a significant impact given the Gulf’s location and global business ties.
According to research published by Marmore Mena Intelligence in 2022, industrials and logistics have been identified as core drivers of economic diversification in the Gulf region, which has taken on a pivotal role in the circulation of commodities around the globe. The report also noted that more than 60 per cent of the total expenditure on ports in the Middle East is in the GCC.
The GCC region has the strategic advantage of being a bridge between Europe and Asia, and it offers modern cities that have grown into international business hubs, with both seaports and airports that are continually improving their offerings based on growing demand and interest. Further, governments have been investing heavily in infrastructure and technology to support regional and global trade.
The highly anticipated GCC railway project is moving forward under the leadership of the GCC Rail Authority, a body that was established last year and will be responsible for the rail network starting operations over the coming years.
The region has also made great strides in sustainability and renewable energy, and can grow green logistics, especially with solar power, considering the abundance of sunlight our nations receive.
We must strike while the iron is hot and use our existing and upcoming infrastructures. According to Statista, an online platform that specialises in data gathering, the global logistics industry was valued at $10.4 trillion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $14 trillion in 2028.
Projected industry growth, paired with strategic geographical advantages, and ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and adapt technologies set the stage for logistics sectors in the GCC to be key drivers for economic growth in the future.
The adoption of artificial intelligence is also increasing within the region, which will no doubt transform the logistics sector through advanced data collection and analyses that will help develop better customer experiences, efficient management of resources, optimal use of resources and automation in warehouses and processes in general.
Logistics is a dynamic area. There are several trends and technological advancements that could redefine the industry and its operations, including cloud-based systems, autonomous vehicles, 3D-printing, real-time tracking and analytics, blockchain, machine learning and robotics.
The world is moving rapidly and in order to keep up and continue to attract foreign direct investment, the GCC region must stay abreast of these trends.
There are many opportunities for aspiring and established entrepreneurs across the region to enter and expand into the logistics sector, actively engage with existing industry players, employ synergistic and innovative approaches, and help the development of the logistics sectors to reach its full potential.
One of the most profitable areas in this industry is third-party logistics, with cost to entry being a significant barrier for entrepreneurs. Regional banks can exploit interest in the area and support entry and expansion into third-party services through incentivised borrowing rates.
Further, governments and leaders in the areas of transport, logistics and technology must collaborate to form cross-border consortiums and strategic international partnerships to enhance the region’s position as a global centre for trade.
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The GCC region will also benefit from widespread campaigns that engage with the youth and educate them about the crucial role of the logistics sector in economic development, opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship and mentorship that help pave the path towards growth and stability in coming years.
While the logistics sectors in the GCC have the potential to play an important role in positioning the region as a hub for innovation, we cannot forget that advancements and the adoption of the newest trends and technologies will also support various industries locally. Transport and logistics can be the deciding factors in the success or failure of a business, so they are extremely important areas of focus going forward.
GCC nations have a number of strengths, opportunities and projects in the pipeline that could unlock a new era of economic growth, where the transport and logistics sectors are instrumental in concreting the region’s position as a uniquely equipped, dynamic centre for global trade. Now it is in the hands of citizens, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and governments to remain united in this vision for synergistic results that would lead our nations into a more secure and prosperous future.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Cricket World Cup League 2 Fixtures
Saturday March 5, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy (all matches start at 9.30am)
Sunday March 6, Oman v Namibia, ICC Academy
Tuesday March 8, UAE v Namibia, ICC Academy
Wednesday March 9, UAE v Oman, ICC Academy
Friday March 11, Oman v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Saturday March 12, UAE v Namibia, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, CP Rizwan, Vriitya Aravind, Asif Khan, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Karthik Meiyappan, Akif Raja, Rahul Bhatia
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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RESULT
Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 4
Milan: Kessie (14'), Cutrone (25', 43'), Calhanoglu (85')
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLA
Price, base / as tested Dh150,900 / Dh173,600
Engine 2.0L inline four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 211hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 1,200rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.4L / 100km
