The Sultanate of Oman has improved its logistics competitiveness, ranking 12th globally and fourth for business fundamentals, according to the 2019 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index.

In Agility’s 10th annual ranking of 50 leading emerging markets, a broad gauge of competitiveness based on logistics strength and business fundamentals, Gulf countries outperform most others. Business-friendly conditions and core strengths position several Gulf countries near the top of the Index, behind giants China (1) and India (2), and alongside Southeast Asian nations.

In the Gulf, United Arab Emirates (No. 3), Saudi Arabia (6), Qatar (8), Oman (12), Bahrain (16) and Kuwait (18) rank highly. Among ASEAN countries, Indonesia (4), Malaysia (5), Vietnam (10) Thailand (11) and Philippines (20) are strong.

“The strong performance of Gulf economies in the Index is the result of wise investment in logistics and transport infrastructure, concerted efforts to diversify, steady progress in streamlining regulation, and strategic development of digital capabilities,” says Elias Monem, CEO of Middle East &Africa for Agility Global Integrated Logistics. “The healthy competition among Gulf economies has helped put the entire region out in front,” he added.
 
Agility’s annual survey of more than 500 supply chain industry professionals shows logistics executives are upbeat about the 2019 emerging markets growth outlook, but fearful that trade tensions, currency and interest rate volatility, and Brexit could trigger a crisis.

In the survey, 55.7 per cent say a 2019 growth rate of 5 per cent is “about right,” but a surprising percentage – 47.1 per cent – say an emerging markets crisis is “likely” or “highly likely.” Emerging markets expanded by 4.7 per cent in 2018, and the International Monetary Fund now forecasts 4.5 per cent expansion for 2019.

The Index ranks 50 countries by factors that make them attractive to logistics providers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors. The top 10 are: China, India, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Qatar, Turkey and Vietnam.

China, India and Indonesia rank highest for domestic logistics; China, India and Mexico are top for international logistics; and UAE, Malaysia and Qatar have the best business fundamentals.
 
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