Bahrain's strategic location and superb infrastructure makes it the perfect platform for the logistics market, according to a report by logistics specialists Frost and Sullivan.

The region's industrial powerhouse, Saudi Arabia, is just 45 minutes away by road, the growing industrial sectors of Qatar and Kuwait are also within easy geographical reach, and the Gulf countries of the UAE and Oman are just a short flight away.

With the strategic location of Bahrain as a gateway to Saudi, more than $10 billion of new investment into industrial zones, ports, airports, transport infrastructure and steel will continue to advance the strongly growing economy, the logistics specialists observed.

'The economy remains strongest in the Middle East,' they said in the report.

'With the buoyant markets of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait all building ahead with their industrial developments, Bahrain represents a unique opportunity for business in the richest part of the world,' it added.

With the market decidedly upbeat about future growth prospects, the upcoming trade and networking event for logistics and materials handling, 'Materials Handling Middle East 2011,' is attracting keen interest from international and regional companies looking to strengthen their presence in the wider region.

The annual gathering of those involved in logistics and materials handling in the Middle East will take place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 25 to 27.

Span Group, one of the Middle East's leading providers of supply chain solutions, will be amongst the key exhibitors at Materials Handling Middle East in September.

Span Warehouse Solutions provide design and consulting services along with a complete range of storage equipment including racking, shelving and material handling systems for the supply chain industry.

As well as exhibiting their international range of products and services, Span Group will also be using the exhibition as a launch pad for some of their latest products.

'We have been exhibiting at the show for years,' said Span Group general manager Camille Samaha.

'What we have achieved is getting exposure in the local and mainly the other GCC markets.

'We have decided to return to the show for these reasons. This year we are back even bigger than usual in terms of space and exposure. 'The benefits of this show are a very important part of our strategy.'

The region's international freight demand is expected to grow 8.1 per cent during the year as freight links to and through the region continue to develop.

New transport projects in the pipeline such as the GCC railway project, the many new road projects and the major expansion in air transport facilities including the largest cargo terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport will contribute to the growth in the industry.

Running alongside Materials Handling expo will be a two-day conference in co-operation with The House of Logistics and Mobility, Frankfurt, and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport International UAE.-TradeArabia News Service