Author: Jochebed Menon

Deepak Khushalani, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Premier Logistics, Ranks 18 Leveraging his degree in Business Management with specialisation in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from Indiana University, Bloomington, US, Khushalani accumulated over 15 years of global experience in spearheading businesses of FMCG distribution in Africa and real estate development in UAE & India managing multimillion-dollar P&L’s, before venturing into logistics in UAE. An avid believer of innovation and digital disruption, he founded Premier Logistics in 2016 to focus primarily on digitisation of the age-old industry of logistics within the Middle East. Under his leadership, Premier Logistics has grown from a three-member…

Back to Powerlist Al-Shawareb has been with Dubai Industrial City (DIC) for 15 years and continues to deliver on the UAE’s vision to put manufacturing at the heart of economic growth and diversification. Crucially, this includes new strategic agreements to build some of the region’s largest factories and elevate Dubai’s position as an attractive, competitive, and business-friendly global hub for talent, investment, and innovation. The latest achievement saw Standard Carpets, the UAE’s largest producer and exporter of broadloom carpets, carpet tiles and artificial grass, break ground on a manufacturing plant. It will become one of the world’s largest carpet factories…

Back to Powerlist Responsible for the entire Etihad Cargo business, as well as Etihad Secure Logistics, Drew has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry and has been with Etihad for more than 15 years, working across various senior positions. Drew most recently headed Etihad Airways’ global sales organisation across Europe and Americas, and previously served as Vice President Cargo at Jet Airways, after nine years with Etihad Cargo where he held various senior positions between 2005 and 2014. Under Drew’s leadership, in January, Etihad Cargo achieved 87% on-time-performance (OTP) during 2020 – ahead of its 85% target and…

Back to Powerlist Since Ekstrand’s appointment as Group President in January 2013, he has focused on the Group’s strategic plan to ensure GAC is fit for the 21st century’s challenges. Prior to this current role, Ekstrand was Group Vice President for the Asia Pacific region from 2009, accountable for the GAC companies’ effective and profitable management in the region. He was also regional director for the Middle East for more than six years. He joined GAC in 1992, working in several stations in the Gulf before taking on his regional responsibilities. Solid business values paired with adaptability, resilience and innovation…

Back to Powerlist Ahmad overseas Dubai South’s Logistics District. Having set up its free zone and established the Dubai Logistics Corridor, which connects Jebel Ali Port with Al Maktoum International Airport via a single, custom-bonded zone. He leads the overall execution of the district’s operations, manages its financial planning, and is responsible for setting the district’s strategic directions and goals. Ahmad was also instrumental in laying the groundwork for future developments to ensure the district’s sustainable growth. Anticipating the rapid growth of eCommerce and witnessing the growing number of international and regional movers in Dubai, Ahmad was a key figure…

Back to Powerlist Struck leads dnata’s cargo business in the UAE as well as the airline services unit at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai South. Before joining the Emirates Group in 2006 his career in aviation covered positions across the globe with Lufthansa, British Caledonian, American, United Airlines and Fraport. Struck holds his current role since 2014 and is also chairman of Dubai Express/Freightworks, PAL Airport Logistics and Bollore Logistics LLC. dnata continues to deliver reliable and safe air services to support and create value for airline customers amid COVID-19 challenges. Although passenger flights were significantly reduced globally,…

Back to Powerlist Dalmia entered the competitive logistics market with the inception of Trukkin in 2017 and has worked tirelessly to become a successful founder of the region’s leading techno-logistics platform. Born out of a zeal to offer unique features and optimised opportunities in a saturated market, his inventive entrepreneurial spirit has further grown the start-up to an established leader in the industry. Right from its inception, Trukkin’s core focus has remained to seamlessly unite its world-class cloud-based intelligent operations and services with shippers, brokers, and drivers through an integrated and user-friendly interface. Focus remains on further providing other value-added…

Back to Powerlist Cook joined Maersk in the UK in 2002 and had the opportunity to grow through commercial roles across the UK, Africa, and Europe and for the last few years in Dubai, UAE. While his roles have been commercially orientated, Cook has focused a lot on developing a customer-centric approach to all the products and services being offered in the country. He said, “We are transforming at Maersk – from being a shipping line to an integrated logistics company. We are committed to creating solutions for our customers that will simplify their supply chains. We are increasing backing…

Freight rates have quadrupled since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a worldwide lockdown in March 2020, pushing retail prices up, that has been affecting consumers worldwide who are trying to recover from loss in income, business. World Dry Baltic Index jumped from – 50% in May 2020 to more than 400% in May 2021 – an unprecedented increase in a year. China Container Freight Rate Index jumped 170% in April this year compared to what it was in July 2020, while Harpex World Charter Rate Index jumped 350% in a year from July 2020 to July 2021. The rate increase was…

Ajman Free Zone recorded a significant growth in the number of new registered companies during the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The record shows 867 newly registered companies in the zone, compared to 567 companies in the same period last year. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Free Zone, said that the success of the free zone as seen in the growth rates is supported by a comprehensive package of services alongside innovative technological solutions. These factors will also be key drivers in ensuring business continuity while meeting the…