IntraLogisteX MEA, one of the Middle East and Africa’s leading gatherings for supply chain and logistics professionals, opens this month in Abu Dhabi. Ahead of the event, Logistics Manager caught up with one of the experts speaking at the event – Abhijoy Dasgupta, product supply director at Savola Foods Company.
What topic will you be speaking about at IntraLogisteX MEA 2025?
I will be speaking on ‘Resilient and Localised Supply Chains in FMCG: the Shift Towards Nearshoring and Regional Hubs in the Middle East’. This session aims to explore how nearshoring, regional manufacturing and local warehousing are reshaping FMCG supply chains in the Middle East.
It will examine the key drivers behind this shift, the opportunities it presents for local economies, and the technological enablers that can support faster, more adaptive logistics ecosystems.
The intended outcome is to generate discussion around rethinking FMCG logistics strategies in the region, identify policy and investment areas to support regionalisation, and provide a lens for organisations to evaluate their own supply chain adaptability.
Why is this topic particularly relevant to the MEA region at this time?
The FMCG sector in the Middle East is undergoing a structural shift in supply chain strategy. Global disruptions – from pandemics and geopolitical instability to rising freight costs and climate risks – have exposed the vulnerabilities of long, offshore-dependent supply chains. In response, companies are accelerating efforts to build more resilient, agile and regionally-rooted supply networks.
What key trends or technologies are shaping the future of logistics and supply chain operations in the Middle East and Africa?
Regionalisation and nearshoring, sustainability and green logistics, e-commerce-driven fulfilment, food security and cold chain expansion, and trade facilitation and infrastructure growth facilitated by AI, Blockchain and IOT. Data mining will be the key factor for policy development.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s IntraLogisteX MEA?
Collaborating on key challenges in the geographic sector to utilise the knowledge and infrastructure prowess to stand tall against deepening global challenges like trade, climate change, currency fluctuations, geopolitics and talent management.
What one piece of advice would you give to logistics professionals preparing for digital transformation?
Start with visibility before velocity. Before chasing speed, automation, or AI-led optimisation, invest in building clear, real-time visibility across your supply chain – inventory, transport, warehousing, partners and demand signals. Design your supply chain for a world where predictability is the exception, not the norm. Invest in capabilities that let you sense, simulate and shift.
To catch Dasgupta’s presentation – and others from industry leaders from the likes of Ferrero, Pepsico and Emirates, register now for this free-to-attend event. IntraLogisteX MEA 2025 offers a unique platform to discover the latest technologies, hear from industry leaders, and connect with peers across the region.
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