NEWS
Bahrain , Kuwait lose ground in 15th Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index
The United Arab Emirates , Saudi Arabia and Qatar continue to rank among the world ’ s top 10 emerging markets , improving or holding steady in key areas while neighbouring Oman , Bahrain and Kuwait lose ground in the 15th annual Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index .
UAE , No . 3 in the 50-country Index after China and India , held its rank from 2023 , as did No . 6 Saudi Arabia and No . 7 Qatar . Oman , 15 , Bahrain , 16 and Kuwait , 21 all fell in the rankings .
In Agility ’ s survey of 830 logistics industry executives , respondents say Saudi Arabia and
UAE are doing the most among GCC countries to accelerate economic diversification and lessen reliance on income from oil and gas .
UAE ranks No . 1 for best business fundamentals ; Saudi Arabia is No . 3 in that category . Even so , logistics professionals in the survey identified further improvements for small businesses and multi-nationals as the most powerful drivers of continued diversification for all GCC countries .
The survey and Index are Agility ’ s 15th annual snapshot of industry sentiment and ranking of the world ’ s 50 emerging markets . The Index ranks countries for overall competitiveness based on their logistics strengths , business climates and digital readiness – factors that make them attractive to logistics providers , freight forwarders , air and ocean carriers , distributors and investors .
UAE and Saudi Arabia rank in the top 10 in every category . Qatar ranked among the top 10 in all categories except international logistics opportunities , where it was 20th . The only top 10 ranking for Oman , Bahrain or Kuwait was Bahrain at No . 8 for business fundamentals .
Half of the logistics professionals surveyed a global recession in the coming year – down from nearly 70 % a year ago . Executives surveyed say they are battling higher costs , reducing dependence on sourcing from China , and planning to boost investment in Africa despite seeing emerging markets investment overall as somewhat riskier .
More than 63 % of respondents say their companies continue overhauling supply chains by spreading production to multiple locations or relocating it to home markets and nearby countries . China , the world ’ s producer , stands to be most affected : 37.4 % of industry professionals say they plan move production , sourcing out of China or reduce investment there .
Ooredoo migrates RISE with SAP to Microsoft Azure ’ s Qatar region
Ooredoo Group announced successful migration of its cloud ERP landscape , RISE with SAP , from Amsterdam to Microsoft cloud datacentre region in Qatar . The migration is a pivotal step in Ooredoo ’ s business transformation and the consolidation of its Enterprise Resource Planning , ERP
solutions across the majority of its ten operating companies . It enables the company to achieve a harmonious blend of superior cloud experience while meeting local data residency and compliance requirements .
As the first techco in the region to adopt RISE with SAP on Microsoft Azure , featuring AI capabilities , this strategic move promises to upgrade the customer experience and empower businesses with cutting-edge technology – ensuring the delivery of innovative , efficient , and personalised services .
The establishment of this data centre within Qatar positions the country as an exporter of substantial data quantities , aligning itself with the most technologically advanced nations globally . This milestone contributes to the economic growth and technological advancement of Qatar .
Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo , Ooredoo Managing Director and Group CEO said :
“ This migration is a major achievement in Ooredoo ’ s business transformation journey , setting the stage for unprecedented innovation and efficiency . We are proud to be pioneers in this groundbreaking move , positioning Qatar as a hub for technological advancements in the region and contributing to the realisation of the Qatar National Vision 2030 .”
Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Bin Mohammad Al Thani , CEO of Ooredoo Qatar , said : “ By moving RISE with SAP to Microsoft Azure , we are unlocking new possibilities for innovation , efficiency , and customer engagement . This strategic move reinforces our position as a player in digital transformation , ready to meet the evolving needs of stakeholders .”
As Ooredoo embraces this transformative journey , it is poised to offer superior benefits to both its consumer and business customers , marking a new era of digital excellence .
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