Automotive Logistics is increasing its focus on the Middle East and Africa with a new conference and increased editorial coverage
Automotive Logistics is launching a major conference focusing on the growth and opportunities for the automotive supply chain across the Middle East and North Africa, and its key logistics and trade links globally.
Vehicle sales in the MENA region are on a sharp increase, anticipated to rise to 6m units by 2023, a 25% increase on figures for last year, with production growing to meet it and aftermarket sales also flourishing.
In North Africa, Morocco has already overtaken South Africa as the continent’s automotive hub, with carmakers including VW, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi, PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Hyundai and Toyota already established there. On top of which, there have been a number of recent announcements about manufacturing expansion, including most recently, PSA’s Kenitra plant.
Meanwhile, new passenger car sales in the Middle East exceeded 1m units last year. Further growth is expected by 2023 in both sales, production, and the aftermarket. Around 27m vehicles are forecast to be on the region’s roads by then, reaching a value of about $18.5 billion.
The region is strengthening its network of free trade zones, including the expanding Jebel Ali FTZ in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Tangier-Med Industrial Park in Morocco. Logistics providers are opening up new services to these zones, not least DP World, a global port operator and premier sponsor of this inaugural event.
To support this growth, regional and global trade routes are proliferating, both in terms of inbound supply and the delivery of vehicles within the region and for export.
Located in the logistical powerhouse of Dubai, the Automotive Logistics Middle East & North Africa conference will serve as the industry’s gateway to growth in this region. It will bring together vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, distributors, government officials, dealers, logistics and technology providers to share insights and best practices in choosing the right supply chain locations, partners, systems and processes.
Logistics will thus be key to further unlocking the automotive industry’s potential in the region. Manufacturers and distributors depend on seamless flows to satisfy customer expectations and just-in-time supply chains, as well as to access the technology driving change across the global automotive industry, including electrification, autonomous and connectivity.
The Automotive Logistics Middle East and North Africa conference will facilitate best practices and connect stakeholders in all these areas. Sessions, workshops and special reports will include insight into logistics and infrastructure investment, the development of free trade zones and policy, emerging markets as well as new technology developments across the region.
