Winners of the 3rd Annual Middle East Logistics Announced.

Press Release 4th July, 2009

MELA – resounding success
Ram Menen bags Hall of Fame award

Ram Menen, Senior Divisional Vice President of Emirates Sky Cargo bagged the Prestigious Hall of Fame award at the 3rd Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA). Three other professionals and 17 companies walked away with other awards at the gala event held on June 30 at Hotel Monarch, Dubai.

Key logistics individuals converged at the 3rd MELA to honour individuals and companies for their excellence in performance. The Platinum Sponsor of the 3rd MELA was Dubai Industrial City whose Vice President, Rashid Al Ansari presented key awards on the night.

The Personality of the Year (categories – Air; Land and Maritime respectively) awards went to Fahad A.Hammad, Chief Executive Officer of Saudi Airlines Cargo, Saudi Arabia; Jinendra Sancheti, Managing Director, TNT Express, Gulf, Middle East & Africa; and Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Vice Chairman, DP World, Dubai.

Speaking on the occasion, Dubai Industrial City Vice President, Rashid Al Ansari underlined the importance of “planning and implementation” in any operation, more so in logistics, citing historically how military operations relied heavily upon logistics. Realising the relevance of logistics in a highly networked global trade, he said, the UAE and in particular Dubai had made and was making substantial infrastructural investments, transforming Dubai into a major logistics hub.

Dubai Industrial City, he said, was proud to be part of the 3rd MELA which celebrated excellence and it was its endeavour to be the best logistics hub in the region.

Welcoming the gathering, Aleem Aziz, CEO, MELA Executive Office and Vice President, Media One, reaffirmed that the quest to honour “Heroes of the Logistics Industry” would continue and there were plans to rotate the venue of the awards night in the Middle East region. . Audited by International auditors Horwath Mak, the awards, he said, is not only fostering healthy competition but also bringing about cohesiveness in the logistics industry, which is witnessing unrivalled growth.

The awardees are: Best Innovator of the Year – Economic Zones World, Dubai; Best Airport (cargo terminal) – Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Airports; Best Express Operator – FedEx Express ME; Best Air Cargo Carrier – Emirates SkyCargo; Best Air Charter Operator – Midex Airlines, UAE; Best Seaport and Best Container Terminal – DP World, Jebel Ali; Best Shipping Line - Maersk WCA; Best Road Hauler – Al Majdouie Logistics Group, Saudi Arabia; Best Rail Operator – Saudi Railways Organisation, Saudi Arabia; Best Exporter – Dubai Aluminium Co. (DUBAL); Best Importer – Al Futtaim Group, UAE; Best Logistics Service Provider (BLSP) – Agility ME; BLSP (Perishable Logistics) – Gulf Agency Company; Best Logistics Park (Air) – Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ); Best Logistics Park (Sea) – Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA); Best Emerging Free Zone – Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, UAE; Best Trade Finance Bank – HSBC, ME.

For more information or photographs, please contact:
Indika Sellahewa, MELA Coordinator, PO Box 72247, Suites 401/402, Bu Haleeba Plaza, Al Muraqqabat Road, Deira, Dubai, UAE. Tel: +971 4 265 4811; Fax: +971 4 297 6988;
Email: [email protected]; Website: www.mela.ae