Snapshot of global trade in 2023

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What we're tracking today

TODAY: Turkey is on board with the US-backed India-MENA logistics corridor + Egypt unveils airport expansion plans

Good morning, friends. Things have quieted down in the logistics world since we last wrote to you, but we do have a few interesting updates on the shipping and trade fronts.

THE BIG LOGISTICS STORY- Adnoc Logistics & Services has marked its entry into Iraq with the delivery of a jack-up barge serving Iraqi customers with offshore support services. Meanwhile, we have a big read on the size of global trade volumes in 1H 2023 and in-depth outlook for the rest of the year from the World Trade Organization.

^^ We have everything on these stories and more in the news well, below.

SIX DAYS TO GO until we see some of you at the Enterprise Finance Forum, which takes place 18-19 September (Monday and Tuesday) at the St. Regis Hotel on the Nile Corniche. This flagship forum is the latest in our must-attend series of invitation-only events, where CEOs, bankers, investors, founders, and corporate leaders will meet to discuss the trends shaping the future of banking, finance, NBFIs, and fintech — and of their clients.

What to expect: Join Sherif El Behery (CEO and managing director, MDI), Mohamed Mounir (deputy CEO, ValU), Tarek Shahin (chief investment officer, CI Asset Management), Himanshu Shrimali (co-founder and CEO, Menthum), Amro Abou esh (founder, Maseera), Kamel Saleh (CEO, Grant Thornton Egypt) and many others for talks on everything from where the talent in our industry can be found, whether NBFIs are a bubble and the state of finance’s professional services firms.

Tap or click here to view the FULL AGENDA with SPEAKERS.

There will be plenty of parking available at the venue for all those attending.

We are honored to count some of the region’s most important financial institutions as

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HAPPENING THIS WEEK-

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged to work with the UAE, KSA, and Iraq on a new logistic s corridor megaproject announced at the G20 summit, Alarabiya reported. “We hope that the port and railway project will work hand-in-hand with the Belt and Road Initiative,” Erdogan reportedly said in statements carried by Reuters and cited by Alarabiya.

ICYMI- The G20 summit in Delhi, India saw leaders from the US, India, the GCC, and the EU ink an MoU for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), a major logistics infrastructure project that seeks to establish rail and maritime connections between Europe and India via MENA. The American-led initiative looks to counter Chinese influence by proposing a Western-backed alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

SPEAKING OF ERDOGAN- The Turkish president’s planned visit to Iraq has been postponed — again: A planned trip to Iraq byTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly been postponed yet again, informed sources told Asharq Al Awsat, citing disputes over oil exports, water, and security. Officials in the Iraqi government have denied that Erdogan’s trip, which was scheduled for October following an initial delay from August, has been “canceled,” and are reportedly continuing to prepare for the visit, the news outlet writes.

The countries are still not seeing eye to eye: The trip was put off due to slow progress in reaching a compromise on damages Turkey has been ordered to pay Iraq in a landmark arbitration decision. Turkey is asking Baghdad to exempt Ankara from paying the USD 2.6 bn in compensation in return for resuming oil flows, the news outlet writes. Turkey has also filed a lawsuit demanding compensation of over USD 900 mn, the outlet writes.

Refresher: Turkey halted imports from northern Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) after a 25 March arbitration ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) deemed the transfers illegal.

Egypt is on an airport upgrade streak: Egypt’s Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Abbas Helmy has announced several upgrades at airports across the country, including Cairo International Airport, St Catherine Airport, Berenice International Airport, and Burj Al Arab Airport.

A study for the construction of Terminal 4 at Cairo International Airport is currently underway, courtesy of the Airports Holding Company, which will help provide the financing needed for the project alongside other partners, Al Mal writes.

Other expansions: Helmy also announced that Alexandria’s Burj Al Arab Airport will open a new environmentally friendly building early next year, which should increase its capacity from 1.5 mn to 6 mn passengers annually, according to a tweet by Asharq Business. Development and expansion work at Sinai’s St Catherine Airport is set to be completed by April 2024, Al Mal quotes Helmy as saying. The EGP 3 bn upgrade aims to increase the airport’s passenger capacity from 80 to 600 per hour and allow it to accommodate 11 aircraft instead of three, the outlet writes.

AND NOW OPEN- The EGP 2.3 bn Berenice International Airport in Marsa Alam — which can accommodate eight aircraft and 600 passengers an hour — is now ready to receive all flights, Al Mal reported separately.

(xxBE) Moves to unclog truck traffic at the Egypt-Sudan border: Egypt’s General Authority for Land and Dry Ports has created two mini logistics zones in Wadi Karkar and Abu Simbel to reduce the pile up of trucks and cars at the Arqin and Qastal border crossings between Egypt and Sudan, Egypt’s Transport Ministry said Thursday. The zones will speed up the provision of key supplies such as water, food, and medical aid to civilians in the conflict-hit country, the statement reads.

OVER IN LIBYA- Libyan authorities arrested nine people for attempting to smuggle 100 k liters of diesel fuel on a vessel off the coast of Zuwara in western Libya, the Libyan Attorney General’s Office said in a statement on Saturday. The suspects confessed to transporting the diesel fuel and said that this was not the first time they had conducted such an operation. They are now held in pretrial detention, the statement added.

WATCH THIS SPACE- Railway link between Iraq and the GCC not yet in the cards: There are no plans at present to establish rail links between Iraq and the GCC as part of the Iraq’s Development Road project, with current designs limited to connections with Turkey as a conduit to Europe, an Iraqi Transport Ministry spokesman reportedly told Iraqi News Agency (INA). Any plans for the future development of railway connections to the GCC hinge on the successful completion of Al Faw Port and the Development Road and the presence of excess capacity at Al Faw and Umm Qasr ports, the same official noted.

ON THE GLOBAL FRONT- Russia won't budge on conditions for returning to Black Sea grain agreement: Russia says it is sticking to its demand for its state agricultural bank to be reconnected to the international bank payments system Swift before it can rejoin the Black Sea agreement, Reuters reports. Russia says that its grain and fertilizer exports, while not subject to explicit sanctions, have been facing barriers due to sanctions affecting port access, ins., logistics, and payments, including the removal of its agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank from Swift.

Moscow not impressed by UN proposal: Russia has dismissed a proposal by the UN for a Luxembourg-based subsidiary of Rosselkhozbank to apply to be connected to Swift “to effectively enable access” for the bank within 30 days. “The agreements say that Swift should be open to Rosselkhozbank, and not to its subsidiary,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to the outlet. “All our conditions are perfectly well known. They do not need interpretation, they are absolutely concrete and all this is absolutely achievable,” Peskov said, adding that “moment they are fulfilled, then the agreement will immediately resume.”

NON-LOGISTICS REGIONAL HEADLINES-

UAE: UAE-headquartered hypermarket chain and mall operator Lulu Group International expects to launch its IO in 1H2024, with its shares to be listed in the Gulf, its chairman said on the sidelines at an event in New Delhi, without specifying the exchange. (Reuters)
KSA: Saudi Arabia is considering setting up a sovereign wealth fund office in India’s International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), which is a tax neutral financial services center, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al Falih told India’s Trade Minister Piyush Goyal. (Reuters)

CIRCLE YOUR CALENDAR-

London International Shipping Week (LISW) kicked off yesterday and will run till Friday 15 September in London, UK. The event is held under the themes of compliance, decarbonization, business and technology, security, and skills. The week-long cluster event will include seminars, conferences, and product launches. It brings together leaders and professionals from the global shipping industry, including ship owners, brokers, traders, regulators, and other stakeholders to network and share expertise and knowledge on the maritime sector.

The Belt and Road Summit will be taking place on 13-14 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Emirati news agency WAM reports. The event, hosted by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Hong Kong Trade Development Council, will bring together government officials and business leaders from countries and regions along, and beyond, the Belt and Road to cooperate and explore potential business avenues. The summit will have Middle East-focused sessions with the aim of exploring cooperation in urban transport, infrastructure projects, renewable energy, logistics, and technology.

The Libyan Moroccan Forum for Trade and Business is starting today in Tangiers, Morocco and will run till Thursday. The event will be held in partnership with the Libyan Export Development Centre and with support from the Libyan Economy and Trade Ministry. The event aims to connect Libyan and Moroccan suppliers, exporters, chambers of commerce, and freezones with Maghreb and African markets, General Manager of Outbox Team event management company Yassine Bousrewil told the Libya Herald. The event will bring together some 100 business and commercial leaders from Libya to enhance trade and economic exchange between the two countries.

The Sustainable Transportation and Legacy for Generations Conference and Exhibition, which is organized by Qatar’s Transport Ministry and sponsored by Qatar Airways Group, Mwani Qatar, and QNB, will take place on 17-18 September at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, Gulf Times reports. The event will cover transportation sector trends, strategies for eco-friendly transit systems, and Qatar's role in global aviation. The conference will include six panel discussions featuring over 20 speakers from various transportation entities.

The Global Trade and Supply Chain Summit is taking place on 19-20 September at the Address Dubai Marina Hotel, UAE. The event, hosted by Economist Impact, will bring together some 500+ business and supply chain leaders, high level government representatives, and policymakers to discuss the implications of trade policy, business logistics, supply chain diversification from China, sustainability, product traceability, digital trade, customs compliance and evolution, supply chain resilience, and trade in emerging regions, among other topics.

The Saudi Maritime Congress will take place at Dhahran Expo in Dammam, Saudi Arabia on 20-21 September. The event will bring together regional and international professionals from the maritime, shipping, and logistics sectors to meet, network, and do business with some 120 leading maritime exhibitors.

Shaping the Future of Shipping Summit , organized by the International Chamber of Shipping, will take place on 9 December in the UAE. The event will bring together governments and leaders in energy, maritime, and all parts of the supply chain to discuss plans to address climate change and help transition the industry towards sustainability.

Check out our full calendar at the bottom of this email for a comprehensive listing of upcoming news events and news triggers.

Adnoc L&S expands barge fleet with delivery of 8 new barges, marks entry into Iraq

Adnoc L&S boosts its barge fleet by 25% , enters Iraq : Global energy maritime logistics leader Adnoc L&S has taken delivery of eight self-propelled jack-up barges (JUB) through its subsidiary Zakher Marine International(ZMI), one of which will be the first to serve the Iraqi market, according to a company disclosure (pdf) on the Abu Dhabi Exchange (ADX). The addition brings Adnoc L&S’ fleet of owned and operated barges from 31 to 39. The value of the JUBs was not disclosed in the release.

SOUND SMART- A self-propelled JUB provides a stable platform for delivery of offshore services for clients, including installation, hook-up, upgrading existing infrastructure, extending offshore assets, and other services, according to ZMI’s website.

The details: The company purchased four newbuild JUBs, four second-hand ones, and chartered two newbuild JUBs, according to the disclosure. The JUBs will be multi-functional and are designed to provide an array of well services including operations, maintenance and accommodation at offshore fields, the disclosure adds.

Entering new markets: One of the JUBs will serve the Iraqi market — marking Adnoc L&S’ entry into the new market in a bid to serve their regional expansion, according to the disclosure. “The addition enables us to provide a broader range of services to our customers and unlock new and sustainable value, as we venture into new markets,” Adnoc L&S CEO Abdulkareem Al Masabi said.

About ZMI: Adnoc L&S acquired the Abu Dhabi-based owner and operator of offshore support vessels–with the largest fleet of self-propelled JUBs, ZMI back in 2022. “With our established presence in Saudi Arabia, Qatar,and now Iraq, we are strategically positioned to further expand our operations across Asia and explore new markets,” ZMI CEO Ali El Ali commented.

REMEMBER- Adnoc L&S wrapped up its IPO on the ADX back in June, which saw it raise USD 769 mn — making it the second largest in the region so far this year. The proceeds reaped from the transaction were earmarked for Adnoc’s ambitious USD 4-5 bn medium term growth strategy, which includes scaling up Adnoc L&S’ shipping, integrated logistics and services platform operations.

Global trade has been on the decline since late 2022 — how is it looking in 2023?

World trade and output growth are continuing the downward trend that started in 2022, with feeble growth in early 2023, as the fallout from the war in Ukraine continues to push commodity prices and inflation higher and several big economies continue their monetary policy tightening cycles, according to the World Trade Organization’s World Trade statistical report (pdf).

REMEMBER- The World Trade Organization expects (pdf) global trade growth to slow in 2023 to just 1% — down from 3.5% in 2022 — as a result of supply chain disruptions brought on by covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Merchandise trade export volumes fell nearly everywhere — including in MENA…: North America was the sole region to see a 0.7% increase in merchandise volumes between 3Q 2022 and 1Q 2023, while the MENA region saw volumes fall 2.8% y-o-y, Europe’s fell 1.5% y-o-y, Asia’s by 1.9% y-o-y and South America’s dropped 2.6% y-o-y. This comes after a strong year for the Middle East’s merchandise trade, which grew in terms of value by 31% y-o-y — more than any other region — in 2022, on the back of high global commodity prices.

…and continued to dip in 1Q 2023: World merchandise trade deceleration peaked with a 2.1% drop in 4Q 2022, and experienced a further 0.3% decline in 1Q 2023, on the back of growing energy prices and interest rates resulting in bearish consumption and investment patterns, which the WTO expects to persist through FY 2023.

The Middle East’s total exports saw a 7% y-o-y decline in 1Q 2023, in line with a global trend that saw exports fall across the world, including in South America, Asia, Africa and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

They’re expected to fall further for the rest of the year: Merchandise trade volumes in 1Q 2023 were down 1% y-o-y, which indicates a need for trade to rise significantly in order to meet WTO’s forecast of 1.7% growth for 2023.

Imports, on the other hand, have been rising in the MENA region — which goes against the general trend: Import volumes between 3Q 2022 and 1Q 2023 have been on the decline across the world, though they saw a 0.8% increase in the Middle East. Imports were up compared to 2019 levels, though, in all regions except Africa, according to the report.

The Middle East’s imports rose 10% y-o-y in 1Q 2023, according to the report, mostly driven by higher oil and gas prices spurring a surge in domestic revenues.

USD appreciation drove the sluggish growth in 2022, but there’s hope the trend eases: The strengthening of the USD in 2022 —- which mostly came off the back of increased US interest rates — subdued world trade volume and value growth as developing countries struggled with inflationary pressures and higher debt service and import costs. The USD peaked against a broad basket of currencies some 12.7% y-o-y in October of last year. Between then and May 2023, the USD depreciated 5.9% in value in terms of other currencies, which could help ease global monetary conditions.

That’s also why emerging economies are looking at de-dollarization: Several countries in the Middle East and beyond have been exploring prospects of non-USD trade. The UAE and India agreed to boost bilateral trade while promoting the use of their own domestic currencies under two MoUs signed between the Central Bank Of The UAE (CBUAE) and the Reserve Bank Of India (RBI), with India settling its first crude oil payment from the UAE in INR earlier in August. Other countries such as Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Iran are officially joining the Brics alliance, which is also currently focused on shifting trade to alternative currencies.

Continued challenges ahead: Trade and GDP for the remaining part of the year is expected to be drawn back by increased international conflicts, food, energy and financial instability and high foreign debt levels, the report said.

Egypt, Germany eye stronger transport ties + KSA, India look to expand supply chain cooperation

Egypt + Germany eye stronger cooperation in transport: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in India to discuss maximizing cooperation in transportation, manufacturing, and energy, according to an Egyptian presidency statement. The two countries aim to advance economic cooperation and increase German investments in Egypt, the statement said.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss and strengthen trade ties, particularly in areas such as grid connectivity, renewable energy, food security, semiconductors, and supply chains. (Statement)

AD Ports subsidiary launches UAE-Pakistan-Gulf shipping route + Qatar Airways Cargo launches new US-Qatar biweekly freighter flights. PLUS: More from Dubai South, QFZ, and SCZone

SHIPPING + MARITIME-

AD Ports subsidiary SafeenGroup has launched a new UAE-Pakistan-Gulf Service (UPG ), according to a company statement. The service will operate with two vessels, each with a capacity of 2.5k TEUs, according to the statement. The service will make weekly port calls at Karachi, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa port, Dammam, and Bahrain.

ICYMI- The subsidiary recently received a new Shoalbuster 3209 vessel from Netherlands-based shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards Group, and entered into a partnership with Dubai-based trader Invictus Investment to launch an international dry bulking shipping service.

ZONES-

Dubai South integrates blockchain system with Dubai Customs: Dubai's largest urban development center for aviation and logistics freezone Dubai South has completed its blockchain integration system with Dubai Customs, according to a press release. The collaboration is aimed at enhancing e-commerce operations by automating customs declarations and streamlining order processing. The system “promotes supply chain transparency, authentication, and anti-counterfeiting of goods; ensures data security and privacy; and paves the way for reduced fees for goods transiting through the freezones,” CEO of the Logistics District at Dubai South Mohsen Ahmad said.

Egypt’s SCZone + Peru mull cooperation: Suez Canal Economic Zone boss Walid Gamal El Din discussed potential cooperation with Peruvian Ambassador to Cairo Jose Betancourt Jesus, with a focus on port activities — including cooperation with the Chancay port project connecting South America to Asia through the Belt and Road Initiative — and integration of ports with industrial areas for efficient transportation, according to a statement.

AVIATION-

Qatar Airways Cargo has partnered with DSV GlobalTransportation and Logistics to launch a new biweekly freighter flight route from Huntsville, US to Doha in a bid to enhance North America’s connectivity to Europe and the Middle East, according to a press release. The route, dubbed Gateway Star, will see two weekly Boeing 777 freighters operate from Felipe Ángeles International Airport in Mexico to Huntsville, arriving in Doha via Luxembourg on Thursdays and Sundays, and will have 200 tonnes of capacity, the release states. DSV will be able to extend its market presence and create avenues of access to the Middle East to boost its oil and gas vertical, DSV Executive VP Mads Ravn said.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

A Qatar Freezone s Authority delegation took part in the 23rd edition of China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, China to highlight the incentives offered at the freezones and drum up support from Chinese officials and companies. (Statement)

Instacart sets stage for IPO amid industry slowdown + Russia ships first crude shipment to Brazil

US-base d online grocery delivery powerhouse Instacart is looking to raise USD 616 mn by selling 14.1 mn shares for USD 26-28 each, Bloomberg reports, citing a company filing. The IPO could stand as the most significant one of the year, helping jumpstart a stagnant US IPO market that hasn’t seen any major VC-backed tech debuts since December 2021. Existing shareholders are also selling 7.9 mn shares at an equivalent price.

The IPO would value the company at around USD 9.3 bn, significantly lower than its valuation during the peak of the pandemic in 2021 when it was valued at USD 39 bn. Instacart slashed its internal valuation three times to reach USD 13 bn in October 2021 as the pandemic’s effect subsided, and customers returned to restaurants and stores, reducing dependency on online shopping.

Advisors: Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are acting as lead bookrunners, with Bank of America, Barclays Plc and Citigroup Inc, as well as 15 others as underwriters. The company intends for its shares to be listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CART.

ALSO WORTH KNOWING-

Moscow-based Lukoil has shipped for thefirst time 80k tonnes of its varandey crude oil from Murmask port to the terminal of Madre de Deus port in Brazil as part of Russia’s efforts to diversify its list of oil buyers. (Reuters)

Calendar

SEPTEMBER

11-14 September (Monday-Thursday): The Libyan Moroccan Forum for Trade and Business, Tangiers, Morocco.

11-15 September (Monday-Friday): London International Shipping Week 2023, International Maritime Organization, London, UK.

12 September (Tuesday): Global Pharma Logistics Summit 2023, ITC Maratha, Mumbai, India.

13-14 September (Wednesday-Thursday): The Belt and Road Summit, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong.

17-18 September (Sunday-Monday): Sustainable Transportation and Legacy for Generations, Doha Exhibition and Convention center, Doha, Qatar.

18 September (Monday): Connecting Trade Worldwide (CTW) Global Summit 2023, Dubai, UAE.

18-19 September (Monday-Tuesday): Enterprise Finance Forum, St. Regis Hotel, Cairo, Egypt.

19-20 September (Tuesday-Wednesday): Economist Impact’s Global Trade and Supply Chain Summit, The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE.

20 September (Wednesday): Construction Week Leaders in Construction UAE Summit Grosvenor House, Dubai, UAE.

20-21 September (Wednesday-Thursday): Saudi Maritime Congress, Dhahran Expo, Damman, Saudi Arabia.

20-22 September (Wednesday-Friday): Transport Evolution Africa Forum and Expo, Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC Complex (Durban ICC), South Africa.

20-23 September (Wednesday-Saturday): Meet the Buyers Workboats, Hyatt Regency, Dubai, UAE.

25-27 September (Monday-Wednesday): Airline Economics Growth Frontiers Middle East & Africa, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, UAE.

25-27 September (Monday-Wednesday): Agriculture Horticulture Development Board’s trade mission to Kuwait.

26-27 September (Tuesday-Wednesday):Gulf-Iraq Business Forum, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, UAE.

27 September (Wednesday): TMS Transportation and Climate Change Conference (TACCC), Saadiyat Rotana Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

26-28 September (Tuesday-Thursday): ProcureCon, Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower, Spain.

26-28 September (Tuesday-Thursday): Breakbulk Americas, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas.

September-November: Emirates Postal Group’s “Logistics Unleashed” competition, UAE.

OCTOBER

Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) goes on a roadshow to South Korea.

3-4 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): IATA World Sustainability Symposium, Madrid, Spain.

3-5 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Smarter Mobility Africa Summit, South Africa.

9-15 October (Monday-Sunday): 2023 World Bank Group - IMF Annual Meetings, Marrakech, Morocco.

10-12 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Autonomous E-mobility Forum, Doha, Qatar.

10-12 October (Tuesday-Thursday): Cool Logistics Global 2023, Genoa Stock Exchange, Genoa, Italy.

16-17 October (Monday-Tuesday): Duqm Economic Forum, Crowne Plaza, Duqm, Oman.

24-25 October (Tuesday-Wednesday): Future Fuels Europe, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

26-29 October (Thursday-Sunday): ICASM 2023, Conrad, Etihad Towers, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

30 Oct-2 Nov (Monday-Thursday): XLP AGM 2023, Barcelona, Spain.

30-31 October (Monday-Tuesday): Gartner Supply Chain Planning Summit, London, UK.

31 Oct-2 Nov (Tuesday-Thursday): IAPH World Ports Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

September-November: Emirates Postal Group’s “Logistics Unleashed” competition, UAE.

NOVEMBER

November: Abu Dhabi Airports Terminal A set to become operational.

1 November (Wednesday): Smart Maritime Network Dubai Conference, Conrad Dubai, UAE.

9-15 November (Thursday-Wednesday): Intra-AfricanTrade Fair, Cairo, Egypt.

15-17 November (Wednesday-Friday): Global Freight Summit 2023, Coca Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE.

13-17 November (Monday-Friday): Dubai Airshow, Dubai World Center, UAE.

14-15 November (Tuesday-Wednesday): Supply Chain & Logistics Arabia, Narcissus, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

14-17 November (Tuesday-Friday): IATA Slot Conference, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE.

15 November (Wednesday): Leaders in Logistics UAE Summit, Dubai, UAE.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Intermobility Expo 2023, Dubai World Trade Center, Dubai, UAE.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): Touchdown Middle East, Gulf Hotel, Bahrain.

21-23 November (Tuesday-Thursday): ARABAL 2023 Conference, Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

23 November (Thursday): Global Supply Chain and Logistics Summit, Grand Millennium Hotel Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.

30 November-3 December (Saturday-Tuesday): Handling Expo, Egypt International Exhibition Center, Cairo, Egypt.

September-November: Emirates Postal Group’s “Logistics Unleashed” competition, UAE.

DECEMBER

10-11 December (Tuesday-Wednesday): Invest in Logistics, St.Regis Almasa Hotel, New Administrative Capital, Egypt.

EVENTS WITH NO SET DATE

2H 2023:Construction of Neom’s first hydrogen fueling station will kick off.

2H 2023: Expansion of Baghdad International Airport to begin.

3Q 2023: Design and supervision contract for Oman’s proposed Musandam Airport to be awarded.

Before the end of the year: The first phase of the Ain Sokhna port redevelopment will wrap.

2024

1Q 2024: Construction of phase 3 of Agility’s logistic park in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire to be completed.

1H 2024: Work is scheduled to begin on the 162 km Rasht-Astara railway in Iran.

King Salman Energy Park is set to become operational in 2024

FEBRUARY 2024

13th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

12-13 February (Monday-Tuesday): Breakbulk Middle East conference, Dubai Trade Centre, UAE.

12-15 February (Monday-Thursday): African Air Expo, Cape Town, South Africa.

28 February-1 March (Wednesday-Friday): MENA Transport Congress and Exhibition 2024, Dubai, UAE.

MARCH 2024

5-6 March (Tuesday-Wednesday): MRO Middle East, Dubai Trade Center, Dubai, UAE.

12-14 March (Tuesday- Thursday): IATA World Cargo Symposium, Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong.

MAY 2024

2-3 May (Thursday-Friday): Geneva Dry, Hotel President Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland.

21-23 May (Tuesday-Thursday): WAGA 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

JUNE 2024

19-21 June (Wednesday-Friday): World Freezones Organization’s Annual International Conference and Exhibition, Bari, Italy.

NOVEMBER 2024

13-15 November (Wednesday-Friday): The Bahrain International Airshow, Sakhir Airbase, Bahrain.

DECEMBER 2024

10-12 December (Tuesday-Thursday): Middle East Business Aviation, DWC, Dubai, UAE.

2025

Mid-2025: Iraq will complete phase one of the construction of the Grand Faw Port.

DHL and Aramco’s logistics and procurement hub in Saudi Arabia will commence operations.

2027

4Q 2027: Oman’s Musandam Airport construction to be completed.

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