Effective industry collaboration critical in a rapidly evolving landscape where risk is increasingly interconnected, say speakers at the 10th GPCA Supply Chain Conference
Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving business landscape, speakers at the recently concluded 10th GPCA Supply Chain Conference in Dubai emphasized the importance of stakeholder collaboration in order to address the risks that could have implications for business continuity.
The two-day conference saw speakers identify collaboration as a key driver of growth and business transformation, enabling cost efficiencies and reduced disruption.
In his keynote address, Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World UAE Region and CEO, JAFZA, highlighted the drivers for collaboration to meet future challenges and growing demand from key export markets.
“The largest demand growth will come from Asia, which will account for 60% of the middle class globally and 40% of total chemicals demand. With global supply chains becoming increasingly complex and diverse, the need of the hour is increased value and efficiencies underpinned by effective cross stakeholder collaboration,” he pointed out.
Dr. Robert de Souza, Executive Director and CEO, The Logistics Institute – Asia Pacific, told the audience in a second keynote address, that risk management will be key to predict future challenges and ensure the robustness and resilience of the region’s supply chain industry.
Technology and collaboration vital
During the event, technological advancements such as autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, IoT, advanced robotics, etc. and identifying and retaining talent to implement digital and analytics to understand them, were identified as pressure points within the global supply chain industry.
The importance of talent was further emphasized, with the 7th edition of GPCA’s ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ programme powered by Sabic taking place alongside the conference and providing students from across the GCC with a valuable opportunity to network with senior industry leaders within the chemical industry in the GCC.
“With the chemicals industry being an export-oriented, the supply chain is an integral element of its operations. Collaboration will be needed not just within the industry itself, but among different stakeholders such as government, academia, logistics, technology providers and buyers to improve the region’s competitiveness and address the challenges ahead,” commented Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA.
