Released on: September 3, 2007, 11:07 pm

Press Release Author: Media One Group

Industry: Transportation & Logistics

Press Release Summary:
Sponsors include eight companies from the Middle East air, sea, land and rail
logistics industry

Press Release Body: August 30, 2007, Dubai, UAE: As the voting phase of the Second
Annual Middle East Logistics Awards (MELA) 2007 is underway with very active
participation from the entire Middle East logistics community and users of various
logistics services, many more players from the logistics industry have expressed
their support for the MELA 2007 and its continued quest for performance excellence
in the logistics industry.


One of the largest land transport companies in the UAE - Mubarak & Sons General
Transport - has announced their full support for the region\'s premier logistics
awards, by forming an alliance for the MELA 2007. Recently, the company has signed
an agreement to become one of the Platinum Sponsors for MELA 2007 Awards.

As an evolving rail organisation, Dubai\'s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has
joined the celebration of excellence in logistics by becoming one of the sponsors
for MELA 2007. RTA is responsible for planning and providing the requirements of
transport, roads and traffic in the Emirate of Dubai, between Dubai and other
Emirates of the UAE, between Dubai and the neighbouring countries in order to
provide an effective and integrated transport system capable of achieving Dubai\'s
vision, serving the vital interests of the Emirate.

RTA made a number of achievements highlighted by the commencement of the Dubai Metro
Project and the completion of a number of road projects with cost exceeding over six
billion AED such as the Business Bay Bridge, Floating Bridge, expansion of Al
Gharoud Bridge and Emirates Road. The company has also been responsible for
introducing Water Bus Service and a new batch of public buses.

\"We are showing our support for MELA because of the premium it has placed in the
logistics industry in the region. Much of the economic activity in the Middle East
revolves around logistics like freight, cargo, rail and land transport. It is but
fitting to recognise the key players who have excelled and has given importance in
good service and customer satisfaction,\" says HE Matter Al Tayer, Chairman of the
Board and Executive Director of RTA.

DHL Danzas - one of the world\'s leading logistics service providers - is sponsoring
the Media Pack for MELA 2007. Some of Dubai\'s leading companies have also pledged
their support as key sponsors for the MELA 2007 Awards Nite. Sponsoring the
Registration Desk and the Delegate Badges for the Awards Nite is DP World, the
largest marine terminal operators in the world with 42 terminals spanning 22
countries.


\"DP World\'s UAE region supports the thinking of the Middle East Logistics Awards
2007. Setting a benchmark for excellence in the logistics industry here in the
region is an inspiring initiative that enthuses our partners and us to strive
towards a higher level of customer satisfaction. It is this continuous growth and
acknowledgment that adds merit to our sponsorship of this event,\" says Mohammed Al
Muallem, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for DP World, UAE Region.

Fujairah Free Zone - which offers lucrative incentives and packages for investors
wishing to set base in a free trade zone in the region - is sponsoring the Display
Communications for the MELA 2007 Awards Nite. Al-Futtaim Logistics (AFL) will
support the Awards Nite by sponsoring the Dinner Invites for the same. AFL is the
logistics arm of one of the UAE\'s most enduring business groups. The company offers
a full range of supply chain solutions that include warehousing and distribution,
road transportation, and sea and air freight-forwarding to a blue-chip clientele.

Sponsoring the banners for the glitz and glamour of the evening is SkyNet Worldwide
Express - the technology-driven international distribution and logistics company. It
has extensive experience in the courier and expedited cargo business. Gobos for the
Awards Nite will be provided by AMI Middle East LLC, a freight-forwarding company
offering more choice to the global freight and transport industry. The company has
grown rapidly in its range of services, turnover and geographic coverage,
establishing itself as a leading forwarder in the global market.


Sharing his views on the immense support pouring in from the region's logistics
industry, Aleem Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, MELA Management Office, stated that
the enhanced involvement of the industry would give MELA 2007 Awards Nite more
excitement than the first one. \"MELA 2007 promises to be more exciting than the
previous year. The strong response from the community sets the tone for the awards,
with 106 companies and 30 individuals nominated. This just makes it more exciting to
look forward for the outcome. Indeed, the quest for excellence in the Middle East
logistics industry is ably supported by the community,\" Aleem observed.


Aleem pointed out that one of the key factors why MELA was being supported by more
companies was because it has become well-known in the logistics industry in the
Middle East. \"The overwhelming support just shows how popular MELA has now become.
MELA has become a byword in the Middle East logistics community, identifying it with
performance excellence in the industry,\" opined Aleem.


Recently, more leading logistics bodies have announced their support for MELA 2007.
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) and Supply Chain
and Logistics Group (SCLG) have joined MELA as Industry Support Patrons. Manfred F
Boes, President, FIATA, and Dr KM Madrecha, Consultative Committee Member, SCLG,
have joined the MELA Advisory Board.


The members of the MELA Advisory Board are Manfred F Boes, President, FIATA; Juan
Torrents, President, World Federation of Free Zones (FEMOZA); General Mazen Nadim,
President, Egyptian International Freight Forwarding Association; Samir Choueiri,
President, Lebanese Forwarders' Syndicate; Dr Mahmoud Abdallatt, Secretary General,
Arab Union of Land Transport; Fahad A Hammad, VP - Cargo Sales & Services, Saudi
Arabian Airlines; Ali Khalfan Al Jallaf, VP, Cargo, Department of Civil Aviation,
Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai, UAE; Captain Mansoor Yasin A Ghafoor, President,
National Association of Freight Logistics (NAFL), UAE, and VP, FIATA; Dr KM
Madrecha, Consultative Committee Member, SCLG; Dr Khalid Maniar, Founder & Managing
Partner, AGNMAK; Dr Satish Mapara, Shipping and Legal Consultant, GlobeApex
Management Consultants; Dr Khalid Al Mehairi, Chairman, Emirates Advocates; and
Varun Sharma, Director, transPARK, Dubai Industrial City.


The MELA Executive Board includes Mike Lee, Director, 347Logistics, and Immediate
Past President, SCLG; Prakash Nair, Manager - Network, Cargo Sales Development,
Emirates Airline; Aleem Aziz, VP, Media One Group, and CEO, MELA Management Office;
and Martin Menachery, Editor, Media One Group, and Head - Press & Information, MELA
Media Committee, MELA Management Office.


The Voting Process for MELA 2007 Awards started on August 5, 2007, and is open until
September 6, 2007, 6:00 PM. MELA 2007 - which will give away 24 awards to the
stellar performers in the Middle East logistics industry in air, sea, land and rail
categories - is slated for November 6, 2007, in Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE.




Web Site: http://www.mela.ae

Contact Details: For more information, please contact:

Martin Menachery

Head - Press & Information

MELA Media Committee

PO Box 72247

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4 297 6987/265 4811

Fax: +971 4 297 6988

Email: martin@mela.ae

Website: www.mela.ae


OR


Anthony De leon

Senior Communications Executive

MELA Media Committee

PO Box 72247

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel: (+971 4) 297 6987/265 4811

Fax: (+971 4) 297 6988

Email: anthony@mela.ae

Website: www.mela.ae