CEVA and Bahrain Logistics Zone sign major deal at region's first annual Logistics Networking Luncheon.

CEVA Logistics, one of the world's leading logistics companies, today announced a major undertaking to site facilities at the Bahrain Logistics Zone. The agreement sees CEVA signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) for space at the Gulf's first boutique value-added logistics area.

CEVA and the Bahrain Logistics Zone signed the agreement at the first annual Logistics Networking Luncheon, held at the Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai on July 9 2008. The luncheon was attended by logistics executives from around the region and was hosted by LOG Middle East, the region's leading logistics trade title, and the General Organisation of Sea Ports Bahrain, developers and operators of the Bahrain Logistics Zone.

The LOI is the first step towards CEVA's tenancy at the Bahrain Logistics Zone. CEVA will use the facilities offered by the Bahrain Logistics Zone to improve their reach and optimise their operations throughout the Gulf. To this end, the LOI specifies an interest in initially leasing 10,000 square metres of land to build warehouse facilities, with the option of leasing an additional 5,000 square metres of pre-built serviced warehouses.

Commenting on the signing, Hassan öAli Al Majed, Director General of the General Organisation of Sea Ports Bahrain said:

"At the Bahrain Logistics Zone we are dedicated to attracting world-class tenants, who are the right fit for us. CEVA is an excellent example of the calibre of tenants we are targeting - those who will bring the most value to the Kingdom of Bahrain."

Shamsudeen Ahmed, CEVA's Regional Director for the Middle East, commented: "We are glad to be among the first to secure space at the Bahrain Logistics Zone. Bahrain is an important platform for logistics operations to and from the northern Gulf, especially for the oil and gas sectors, and our presence at the BLZ will allow us to further expand our regional operations and service our client base more effectively."

Hamad Fakhro, Assistant director General for the Bahrain Logistics Zone added: "The need for enhanced logistics service offerings has become crucial to serve for the unprecedented growth we are witnessing in the Middle East.

"The Bahrain Logistics Zone not only caters to this need, but also provides an efficient platform for logistic companies such as CEVA to better access the Northern Gulf by utilising a business-friendly home in Bahrain."

He explained that the Networking Luncheon co-hosted by LOG Middle East and the Bahrain Logistics Zone was created to establish a dialogue between logistics professionals in the region. A particular focus was on game-changing opportunities to take advantage of the tremendous growth in logistics services demand in the region.

At the event were the Editor of LOG Middle East, Kathryn Semcow, CEVA officials, and officials from the Bahrain Port Authority and the Bahrain Logistics Zone. Attendees came from a selection of the top logistics and supply chain organisations from the region and around the world.

The Bahrain Logistics Zone is the region's first boutique logistics area that focuses on re-export and value-adding logistics services. When complete, the zone will be fully integrated with Bahrain's new Khalifa bin Salman port, which will have a capacity of 2.5 million TEUs The Bahrain Logistics Zone is also in close proximity to the causeway linking Bahrain to Saudi Arabia and the proposed causeway to Qatar, as well as to Bahrain International Airport, making it perfectly positioned as a multimodal logistics hub for the region.

Tenants will be able to lease either plots at the site or pre-built serviced warehouses, offices and retail space. They also benefit from a range of services designed to provide a one-stop shop for all their setup requirements, including registration, licensing and visa processing.

[c] 2008 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)