Supply Chain Summit Features Speakers from Economic Zones World and Dubai Customs

Online, February 14, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Effective Supply Chain management is essential across all industry sectors to enable and ensure a stable supply vs demand strategy. Ensuring the importance of a supply chain plan that spans from boardroom to distribution, the 3rd Annual Supply Chain Middle East Strategy Summit took place between 11 and 12 February 2014, at the Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa in Dubai.

The summit on the first day opened with a keynote address from Dr. Khaled Ahmed, Senior Vice President Strategy and Development at the Economic Zones World. Dr. Ahmed presented an overview on the supply chain scenario within the GCC and the potential of growth with the support of the Government. Expanding on the scope of growth, and achieving better ROI through improved services was Peter Fort, CEO of RAK Free Trade Zone Authority.

Attendees also heard from Vineetha Mathew of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who spoke on the best practices of implementing Corporate Social Responsibility for businesses. The summit continued to feature experts from different sectors who presented on the optimization of supply chain and logistics. Where Taher Salem Saeed of GASCO presented on 'Supply Chain Management in the Oil and Gas Industry', Hamilton Rozario of DUBAL presented a case study on how in- house solutions can be implemented with little to no cost.

A focus session looked into pillars that provide the framework for an efficient supply chain organization. Geert Swinnen who is the Head of Supply Chain at Aujan Coca-Cola Beverage Company elaborated on how process optimization helps you become more efficient. Attendees also witnessed key panel discussions on sustainability and supply chain resilience from expert panelists representing Jumbo Electronics, Al Futtaim Carillion, Mace Group, Mattex and General Motors.

The summit yesterday heard from from Shahid Osmani from Dubai Customs on 'Developing and implementing a customs strategy for Dubai'. Conference Chairman and Director of Supply Chain Council - MENA Chapter, Youssef Kenawy, addressed on the global challenges in high performance supply chains. Speaking on Lean Warehousing and Dubai as a trading and warehousing hub was Warehouse Analyst and Inspection Manager at DMCC, Sebnem Sen.

Sessions also covered aspects of reverse logistics, strategic supplier relationship and supply chain risk management by Centin Baxter of Harsco Infrastructure, Hariharan Laxminarayan and Deepak Ramawat of Emirates Aluminium and Dr. Ashok Chopra of CILT respectively. The conference also saw sessions at the summit feature panels on improving the flexibility of Middle East supply chain and interlinking regional logistics with future outlook.

The 3rd Annual Supply Chain Middle East Strategy Summit was supported by leading trade associations like SCLG, CILT UAE, CIPS, Global Supply Chain Council, Russian Business Council and Conqueror Freight Network. The summit brought together leaders from across industry sectors to discuss future considerations and improvements in supply chain and logistics within the Middle East.