The 7th Supply Chain and Logistics Conference is an event designed to unite supply chain decision-makers focused on enhancing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s role as a global logistics hub, in line with Vision 2030.
The conference, being held in Riyadh over 15th and 16th December, aims to strengthen the Saudi economy and position the Kingdom as a pivotal centre connecting three continents.
Dr. Mutab Zaydan Saleh Alenzy, renowned academic and Assistant Professor, Supply Chain Management at Taibah University in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, is in the forefront to train and empower young Saudi professional talent and personnel, intending to make their mark in logistics. He will be part of a very engaging panel and Global Supply Chain caught up with him before the event.
Dr. Alenzy holds a PhD in Supply Chain Management from RMIT University with applied research on capacity management and collaboration in Saudi logistics. We asked him what he believes is lacking in logistics in KSA. “A decade ago a warehouse manager in Riyadh managed inventory counts and safety compliance. Today, that same individual interprets demand forecasting dashboards, understands network positioning, and contributes to optimisation decisions.”
The logisticsconference will focus on the importance of sustaining national supply chains, the transformation of innovations and logistics research into economic products, and the Kingdom’s efforts to consolidate its status in the global logistics landscape.
“There are other events which organised on the theme of logistics and transportation however this is a conference that is focused more on skills and manpower,” explains Alezny.
“Education and training are an important part of the landscape of Saudi Arabia’s2030 vision. We have very new goals established and we intend to see them completed.”
Speaking of the audience who will attend the conference, he says it is mostly made up of professionals. He adds however that this year university students will attend the two-day event. “We will link the discussions to academia so for people who are seeking a job and seeking to network events such as these speak a different language and are a big boost to individuals. He hopes that by discussing the importance of training, it will highlight its significance in the industry.
“There are a lot of misconceptions on supply chain. Many people think it is only about a warehouse person sitting in a large facility. As you know, it’s so much more and in fact the most important aspect of how an industry operates.”
There is a lot of focus on Sustainability, we asked Dr. Alenzy his opinion, “I just started to collate data on one of the many aspects that is very important in our region and this is sustainability. There is a lot of benefits to stakeholders if they incorporate financial and environmental sustainability. For both of them, there is a pressure to maintain sustainable options.
Other notable participants at this conference include leaders from Saudi Aramco, the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, and various logistics and transport organisations. The conference is set to be the largest gathering of decision-makers in supply chains, services, and logistics, showcasing the Kingdom’s commitment to advancing its logistics capabilities and fostering global supply chain connectivity.
Dr. Alenzy hopes to attend a workshop being organised by Aramco on sustainable suppliers. “They are like the Harvard industry of the oil industry. They have high standards to match up to for suppliers.”
Speaking of the impact of this event, he adds, “There is a goal to make KSA the number one to host international conferences. They have created it with international companies who own and global events,” he says.
This particular conference’s program has expanded with high-level sessions featuring international leaders, launched specialised zones focusing on logistics technology and sustainability, and introduced new initiatives such as Harvard Business Council Logistics Award and the ‘Women in Logistics Programme’, designed to empower talent and celebrate excellence across the sector.
“Saudi Arabia has excellent infrastructure as well as the sophistication to operate such a conference competently. In the next year we will have visibility on whether it has built the talent ecosystem to leverage that infrastructure at its potential.
Leadership in supply chain talent is what tends to separate logistics hubs that sustain competitive advantage from those that do not differentiate strategically,” concludes Dr. Alenzy.
