Link Magazine 19 - SCLG

Gateways 29Awards 2007. Setting abenchmark for excellence in thelogistics industry here in theregion is an inspiring initiativethat enthuses our partners andus to strive towards a higherlevel of customer satisfaction. Itis this continuous growth andacknowledgment that addsmerit to our sponsorship of thisevent," says Mohammed AlMuallem, Senior Vice Presidentand Managing Director for DPWorld, UAE Region.Fujairah Free Zone – whichoffers lucrative incentives andpackages for investors wishingto set base in a free trade zonein the region – is sponsoringthe Display Communicationsfor the MELA 2007 AwardsNite. Al-Futtaim Logistics(AFL) will support the AwardsNite by sponsoring the DinnerSponsors includeeight companiesfrom the MiddleEast air, sea, landand rail logisticsindustryInvites for the same. AFL is thelogistics arm of one of theUAE's most enduring businessgroups. The company offersa full range of supplychain solutions that includewarehousing and distribution,road transportation, and seaand air freight-forwarding to ablue-chip clientele.Sponsoring the banners forthe glitz and glamour ofthe evening is SkyNetWorldwide Express –the technology-driveninternational distribution andlogistics company. It hasextensive experience in thecourier and expedited cargobusiness. Gobos for theAwards Nite will be providedby AMI Middle East LLC, afreight-forwarding companyoffering more choice to theglobal freight and transportindustry. The company hasgrown rapidly in its range ofservices, turnover andgeographic coverage,establishing itself as a leadingforwarder in the global market.Sharing his views on theimmense support pouring infrom the region’s logisticsindustry, Aleem Aziz, ChiefExecutive Officer, MELAManagement Office, stated thatthe enhanced involvement ofthe industry would give MELA2007 Awards Nite moreexcitement than the first one."MELA 2007 promises to bemore exciting than the previousyear. The strong response fromthe community sets the tone forthe awards, with 106companies and 30 individualsnominated. This just makes itmore exciting to look forwardfor the outcome. Indeed, thequest for excellence in theMiddle East logistics industryis ably supported by thecommunity," Aziz observed.Aleem pointed out that one ofthe key factors why MELA wasbeing supported by morecompanies was because ithas become well-known inthe logistics industry inthe Middle East. "Theoverwhelming support justshows how popular MELAhas now become. MELAhas become a byword inthe Middle East logisticscommunity, identifying it withperformance excellence in theindustry," opined Aziz.Qatar Airways Cargo introducesthird aircraft into freighter fleetQatar Airways Cargo hasexpanded its internationaloperations with theintroduction of a thirdaircraft into its freighter fleetand the launch of seven newcargo-only destinations.The Airbus A300-600F took tothe skies following itsconversion from a passengerto a cargo aircraft. Earlier thisyear, Qatar Airways Cargointroduced its secondfreighter as part of a longtermstrategy to develop aninternational network ofcargo flights.With the addition of the thirdfreighter, Qatar AirwaysCargo has significantlyincreased the number ofdestinations it servesworldwide from 9 to 16 cities.During the past six monthsalone, the freighter networkhas been transformedradically with new destinationsand a new-lookcargo warehouse at DohaInternational Airport.The new destinations areAlgiers, Tunis, Milan,Istanbul, Karachi, Colomboand Johor Bahru in Malaysia.They supplement otherdestinations already inthe network – Amsterdam,Frankfurt, Khartoum, Dubai,Nairobi, Bangalore, Chennai,Lahore and Dhaka.Qatar Airways ChiefExecutive Officer AkbarAl Baker said that cargorepresented a vitalcomponent of the airline’sglobal operations."We have a clear strategy todevelop our passenger sideof the business to key businessand leisure destinationsworldwide. Similarly, we arebuilding our cargo operationto key markets around theworld using Doha as a keyhub," he said."We will, over the next twoyears increase our cargooperation further as moreA300 freighters are introducedand the first of our twonew Boeing 777 freightersare delivered. These arescheduled for delivery fromSummer 2009," he added.The Supply Chain & Logistics Group | www.sclgme.org