Leading global logistics provider Agility has opened a 28,000-sq-m facility in Bahrain to expand its warehousing, freight, transport and specialty capabilities and serve as a regional logistics and distribution hub.

The new facility, located in Hidd, supports contract logistics with ambient, chilled and frozen storage, as well as solutions for high-value cargo. It will offer secure records management and storage and turnkey logistics for Bahrain-based manufacturers in the fast-moving consumer goods industry.

Agility is a leading provider of cross-border transportation, owning and operating a fleet of over 200 vehicles. Agility also facilitates customs brokerage for a number of multinational organisations based in Bahrain.

Essa Al-Saleh, CEO of Agility Global Integrated Logistics, said: “Bahrain is one of our key operational markets in the Middle East, offering high-quality infrastructure and a diverse community of regional business players. With an expanding population in the GCC and an increase in demand for integrated logistics services, our investment in Bahrain will help us better serve customers in the region. The opening of our new facility is a testament to our commitment to this promising market.”

The new facility, which has storage capacity of 17,000 pallet positions, represents a $10 million investment by Agility. It follows the expansion of the company’s overland fleet in Bahrain to support its regional operations.

Zayed Alzayani, Bahrain’s Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, said: “Bahrain is undergoing rapid economic transformation and continuing to attract international investment, with the logistics industry playing a major role towards this. The industry benefits not just from Bahrain’s strategic geographic location, but also its growing infrastructure, established transport links and policies that are conducive to fostering business. The expansion of the regional logistics and distribution hub is a natural step for Agility, who have been steadily developing their operations in Bahrain since 2003.”

A recent World Bank report estimates that Bahrain’s economy will grow by 2.6 per cent in 2019, driven by higher oil production and mega projects. In 2017, the total value of foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $733 million, with the share of transport and logistics being 10 per cent.

Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said: “Bahrain offers the lowest setup and operating costs for a logistics business with cost savings of 30 to 40 per cent compared to the rest of the GCC. This has encouraged several companies to utilise our ports and free zones in order to set up businesses and access the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Arab world. Agility’s investments in the local logistics industry are testament to the business confidence that Bahrain provides.” - TradeArabia News Service