Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC) announced on Saturday that it will host the inaugural SITL Dubai, the International Week of Transport and Logistics, in 2009, following the appointment of leading organizer Reed Exhibitions to steer the show. SITL Dubai 2009 is scheduled to run on Nov. 1-3, 2009 and will attract 250 exhibitors, including providers of international transport and logistics, information systems, infrastructures, real estate and logistics equipment, and up to 10,000 trade visitors. The event will include an extensive program of conferences and the creation of related events such as a “Logistics University” to provide training and information. A Global Shipper's convention will attract 150 - 200 participants from throughout the world, while a hosted buyers program will bring together all of the world's industrial decision-makers from the transport and logistics sector. The event will be organized under the patronage Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al- Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of the Emirates Group. SITL Dubai 2009 will be a leading international communication platform between East and West, aiming to provide business opportunities, information and training to all segments of the transport and logistics industry. The 25th Anniversary edition of SITL, which concluded in France this March, was the largest-ever event for the logistics sector in Europe, attracting over 25,000 industry specialists. With Dubai Port currently positioned as the world's fastest growing port and the Middle East's logistics sector helping drive exports and re-exports to all-time highs, SITL Dubai will take place at a vital point in the development of the logistics and transport sector. According to published report, the global freight market is set to reach $14 trillion by 2020, and Gulf imports and exports reached $320 billion at the end of last year. As well as shipping, the Middle East was the fastest-growing global air cargo market in 2007, with a 7 percent increase in volumes, according to the International Air Cargo Association (IATA). UAE flagship companies like Emirates, Etihad and Dubai Port World are achieving increasing importance on the world stage, while Dubai Logistics City (DLC) will be the world's first truly multi-modal integrated logistics platform when it becomes operational at the end of 2008. “Dubai's historic role as a trade hub for the wider region, as well as its ongoing development of a world-class logistics infrastructure, positions it as an ideal destination for an industry exhibition of SITL's size and importance,” said Helal Almarri, director general, Dubai World Trade Center. “Reed Exhibitions' proposal for the event combined a professional attitude, exhaustive knowledge of the transport and logistics sector and a strong local presence. We believe that SITL Dubai will provide a critically-important resource for both regionally- and internationally-focused logistics companies,” he added. In addition to providing the host venue for the event, DWTC will also look to share some of its experiences in developing the logistics facilities of its major new commercial destination, Dubai Exhibition City. The major development will span seven square kilometers and has been specifically designed to meet the needs of major exhibition and event organizers, with world-class infrastructure, dedicated road and rail links, and easy access to Jebel Ali Port and Al-Maktoum International Airport. For Reed Exhibitions, the decision to bring SITL to the Middle East marks an important strategic expansion for its thriving regional office. Already responsible for organizing 17 trade shows, including the travel and tourism industry's leading exhibition Arabian Travel Market, Reed Exhibitions is developing a strong reputation as a partner of choice for business and consumer events. Frederic Theux, president of Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said the partnership will be beneficial for the region, the industry and the event sector. “SITL Dubai 2009 will give Reed the opportunity to pursue its development strategy on all major transport and logistics markets and enable us to combine 25 years of international expertise with our knowledge of the local market. Equally, Dubai can expect to strengthen its position as a leading logistics platform by bringing together the world's most innovative and advanced companies for the event,” said Theux. A steering committee, including Emirates Cargo, Dubai Port World, Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Logistics City, Reed Exhibitions UAE, Reed Exhibitions France and other professional organizations, will help ensure the success of the event. __
