Latest news with #AgilityEmergingMarketsLogisticsIndex
Arab News
14-03-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia moves into top 4 among world's emerging markets
Saudi Arabia's massive logistics investment, sweeping digitization of trade, and sharp focus on quality-of-life improvements has pushed the country higher in the annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index. For 16 years, the index has been a benchmark of competitiveness for the world's 50 leading emerging markets countries, ranking them by factors important to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors. In the 2025 index, Saudi Arabia improves its performance relative to other countries in all four Index categories: international and domestic logistics opportunities, business climate, and digital readiness. The Kingdom ranks with China, India and United Arab Emirates at the top of the 2025 rankings. It finishes among the top five in all four Index categories. 'Saudi Arabia's desire to establish itself as a major global trade hub and innovation center are rapidly becoming a reality. 'The ambitious aims laid out in the Kingdom's Vision 2030 strategy have been matched by focused, effective policies and actions that are yielding change and progress across the economy, business and society,' says Agility vice chairman Tarek Sultan. The 2025 index singles out Saudi Arabia for efforts to strengthen supply chain networks, improve port connectivity, manage inflation, reduce corruption, improve digital skills, and develop a high-value manufacturing sector. In addition to the rankings, the index features a survey of 567 logistics industry professionals. More than 62 percent of those surveyed say they've overhauled their supply chains to safeguard against inflation, looming trade tariffs, the possibility of a global economic downturn and other major risks. The survey shows the logistics industry entering 2025 looking to protect itself from rising costs and a potential trade war ignited by expected US tariff hikes and a flood of exports from China. 'There is wariness and uncertainty among shippers, carriers, forwarders and others when it comes to the geopolitical factors that drive up costs, affect trade volumes, and alter supply chains,' Sultan said. 'Companies doing business internationally continue to shift production as they re-evaluate investment plans and search for durable paths to growth. Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Mexico and a handful of others are emerging as super-connectors for global trade.' The 2025 Index features an in-depth analysis of Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbors. Individually and as a group, the six GCC countries are positioning themselves as global trade centers, investing heavily in infrastructure, AI, energy transition, and workforce development. Despite increasing risk to global supply chains, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have become 'beacons of stability' and resilience, the Index concludes. Stability at the top of the 50-country rankings was accompanied by volatility and movement further down in the Index. China, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Thailand and Vietnam rank 1 through 10. Colombia (No. 21) leaped up the rankings; as Nigeria (43), Bangladesh (39) and Ukraine (40) tumbled. The six Gulf countries all are among the top 11 for business conditions: UAE again tops the rankings for best business climate; Saudi Arabia is third and Qatar fifth. The countries most digitally ready are China, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In international logistics opportunities, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia rank highest. In domestic logistics, the leaders are China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 2025 Index Highlights SURVEY COUNTRY RANKINGS Transport Intelligence, a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, has compiled the Index since it was launched in 2009. John Manners-Bell, chief executive of Ti, said: 'Despite global economic headwinds and disruption to shipping lanes over the last year, the Gulf economies have proved exceptionally resilient. Diversification and their focus on investment in transport, the green energy transition, and other major infrastructure projects has laid the foundations for future growth. The improving security situation across the region will only act to accelerate their development as a bridge between emerging superpowers and the West.'
Arab Times
18-02-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
Kuwait jumps 3 spots among the world emerging markets
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 18: Kuwait advances three spots in the annual 50-country Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, improving its competitiveness in domestic logistics and business fundamentals at a time when it has 'embraced the PPP model to deliver its Vision 2035 ambitions,' the Index says. Kuwait's improved performance in the 2025 Index comes as the Gulf region stands out as a 'beacon of resilience' and 'gateway to the rest of the world' for major Asian exporters and other trading nations, according to the report. 'It is clear that Kuwait is entering a new phase, the features of which are evident in the government's ability to involve the private sector in its key development projects.' says Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan. 'The government has astutely managed difficult economic issues with an eye toward the future, improving the country's competitiveness and business climate. ' The Index, a survey of logistics industry professionals and annual ranking of emerging economies is in its 16th year. This year's Index shows the industry entering 2025 with caution. In the survey of 567 executives, more than 62% say they've overhauled their supply chains to safeguard against inflation, looming trade tariffs, the possibility of a global economic downturn and other major risks. Nearly 55% of respondents see a global recession as likely or certain. Almost 82% say tariffs and other trade protectionism are having a significant impact on their supply chains. Seventy-two percent say risks in emerging markets have increased over the past year. The Index ranks the world's 50 leading emerging markets for overall competitiveness based on domestic and international logistics strengths, business climates and digital readiness -- factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors. The 2025 Index features an in-depth analysis of GCC economies. Individually and as a group, the six Gulf countries are positioning themselves as global trade hubs, investing heavily in infrastructure, AI, energy transition, and workforce development. 'Economic headwinds' and Red Sea shipping attacks 'have done nothing to derail the (GCC) region's development strategies,' the Index says. Throughout the region, 'market accessibility … is improving year-by-year. Foreign ownership levels, ease of capital inflows and outflows, legal frameworks to protect investments, and clearing and settlement procedures are critical to ensuring that (these markets are) attractive to foreign investors.' Gulf countries are among the leaders in every category of the Index. In the overall rankings, all six GCC countries rank in the top 11 for best business conditions. The countries most digitally ready are China, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Stability at the top of the 50-country rankings was accompanied by volatility and movement further down in the Index. China, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Thailand and Vietnam rank 1 through 10. Colombia (No. 21) leaped up the rankings; as Nigeria (43), Bangladesh (39) and Ukraine (40) tumbled. In international logistics opportunities, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia rank highest. In domestic logistics, the leaders are China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 2025 Index Highlights Survey Recession -- Nearly 55% of respondents see a global recession as likely or certain. Protectionism -- Almost 82% say tariffs and other trade protectionism are having a significant impact on their supply chains. Emerging markets – 72% say risks in emerging markets have increased over the past year. China – 54% intend to move production or sourcing out of China in the next five years with U.S.-China trade friction, labor costs and increasing domestic regulation being the biggest factors. Africa – Despite seeing heightened risks in emerging markets, 35% plan to boost investment in Africa in 2025 vs. only 8% planning to cut back there. Net-Zero – Nearly 65% say their companies are on track to meet net-zero goals. Country rankings In the Middle East and North Africa, overall rankings are: UAE (3); Saudi Arabia (4); Qatar (8); Turkey (11); Oman (14); Bahrain (16); Jordan (17); Kuwait (18); Egypt (24); Morocco (26); Iran (32); Tunisia (36); Algeria (38); Lebanon (42); Libya (46). Rankings in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa (20); Kenya (22); Ghana (31); Tanzania (37); Uganda (41); Nigeria (43); Ethiopia (45); Angola (47); Mozambique (48). Rankings in Asia: China (1); India (2); Malaysia (5); Indonesia (6); Thailand (9); Vietnam (10); Philippines (23); Kazakhstan (25); Sri Lanka (27); Cambodia (30); Pakistan (33); Bangladesh (39); Myanmar (49). Rankings for Latin America: Mexico (7); Chile (11); Brazil (13); Uruguay (19); Colombia (21); Peru (28); Argentina (29); Ecuador (34); Paraguay (35); Bolivia (44); Venezuela (50). In Europe: Ukraine (40). Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, has compiled the Index since it was launched in 2009. John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Ti, said: 'Despite global economic headwinds and disruption to shipping lanes over the last year, the Gulf economies have proved exceptionally resilient. Diversification and their focus on investment in transport, the green energy transition, and other major infrastructure projects has laid the foundations for future growth. The improving security situation across the region will only act to accelerate their development as a bridge between emerging superpowers and the West.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Agility: As Risks Loom, Logistics Execs Say They've Rewired Supply Chains
Industry looks to shield itself from trade wars, inflation, possible recession DUBAI, UAE, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 62% of logistics industry professionals say they've overhauled their supply chains to safeguard against inflation, looming trade tariffs, the possibility of a global economic downturn and other major risks. Entering 2025, the logistics industry is looking to protect itself from rising costs and a potential trade war ignited by expected U.S. tariff hikes and a flood of exports from China, according to a survey of 567 executives for the 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index. Nearly 55% of respondents see a global recession as likely or certain. Almost 82% say tariffs and other trade protectionism are having a significant impact on their supply chains. Seventy-two percent say risks in emerging markets have increased over the past year. "There is wariness and uncertainty among shippers, carriers, forwarders and others when it comes to the geopolitical factors that drive up costs, affect trade volumes, and alter supply chains," says Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan. "Companies doing business internationally continue to shift production as they re-evaluate investment plans and search for durable paths to growth." The survey and Index are Agility's 16th annual snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world's 50 leading emerging markets. The Index ranks countries for overall competitiveness based on domestic and international logistics strengths, business climates and digital readiness -- factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, air and ocean carriers, distributors and investors. The 2025 Index features an in-depth analysis of the Arabian Gulf economies. Individually and as a group, the six Gulf countries are positioning themselves as global trade hubs, investing heavily in infrastructure, AI, energy transition, and workforce development. Despite increasing risk to global supply chains, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries have become "beacons of stability" and resilience, the Index concludes. Stability at the top of the 50-country rankings was accompanied by volatility and movement further down in the Index. China, India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mexico, Qatar, Thailand and Vietnam rank 1 through 10. Colombia (No. 21) leaped up the rankings; Nigeria (43), Bangladesh (39) and Ukraine (40) tumbled. The six Gulf countries all are among the top 11 for business conditions: UAE again tops the rankings for best business climate; Saudi Arabia is 3rd; Qatar 5th. The countries most digitally ready are China, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In international logistics opportunities, China, India, Mexico, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia rank highest. In domestic logistics, the leaders are China, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and UAE. 2025 Index Highlights SURVEY China – 54% intend to move production or sourcing out of China in the next five years with U.S.-China trade friction, labor costs and increasing domestic regulation being the biggest factors. Africa – Despite seeing heightened risks in emerging markets, 35% plan to boost investment in Africa in 2025 vs. only 8% planning to cut back there. Net-Zero – Nearly 65% say their companies are on track to meet net-zero goals. COUNTRY RANKINGS In the Middle East and North Africa, overall rankings are: UAE (3); Saudi Arabia (4); Qatar (8); Turkey (11); Oman (14); Bahrain (16); Jordan (17); Kuwait (18); Egypt (24); Morocco (26); Iran (32); Tunisia (36); Algeria (38); Lebanon (42); Libya (46). Rankings in Sub-Saharan Africa: South Africa (20); Kenya (22); Ghana (31); Tanzania (37); Uganda (41); Nigeria (43); Ethiopia (45); Angola (47); Mozambique (48). Rankings in Asia: China (1); India (2); Malaysia (5); Indonesia (6); Thailand (9); Vietnam (10); Philippines (23); Kazakhstan (25); Sri Lanka (27); Cambodia (30); Pakistan (33); Bangladesh (39); Myanmar (49). Rankings for Latin America: Mexico (7); Chile (11); Brazil (13); Uruguay (19); Colombia (21); Peru (28); Argentina (29); Ecuador (34); Paraguay (35); Bolivia (44); Venezuela (50). In Europe: Ukraine (40). Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis and research firm for the logistics industry, has compiled the Index since it was launched in 2009. John Manners-Bell, Chief Executive of Ti, said: "The supply chain industry is entering a new era in which the ability to respond to macro-economic and geopolitical events will be critical. The looming prospect of tariffs and trade wars will force shippers to re-evaluate the resilience of their production, off-shoring and sourcing strategies and it will be imperative for logistics providers to respond appropriately in a timely and effective manner." 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index: About Agility Agility is a global leader in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation with 60,000+ employees across six continents. A multi-business operator and investor, Agility specializes in growing and scaling operating businesses. Agility's companies include the world's largest aviation services company (Menzies Aviation); a global fuel logistics business (Tristar); a leading logistics parks developer and operator across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa (Agility Logistics Parks); and a commercial real-estate company developing a mega-mall in the UAE (UPAC). Other Agility companies offer customs digitization services, remote-site infrastructure services, defense and government services, and ecommerce-enablement and digital logistics. Agility invests in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and resilience, and has minority holdings in a growing portfolio of listed and non-listed companies. For more information about Agility, visit: Website: LinkedIn: YouTube: SOURCE Agility
