January 15 - Today, global logistics provider Agility published its Emerging Markets Index 2013.
The Index examines 45 major emerging markets and identifies the attributes that make a market an attractive investment for logistics companies, air cargo carriers, shipping lines, freight forwarders and distribution property companies.
Findings reveal that emerging markets felt the effects of the global economic slowdown in 2012 but weathered the storm better than developed economies. The 45 emerging markets analysed in the Index grew at an average of 4.4 percent. In contrast, the US economy grew 2.2 percent, while the EU contracted 0.2 percent.
Looking ahead through 2013, the outlook for emerging markets is a positive one. 73 percent of those surveyed feel that the prospects for emerging markets are 'good' or 'very good'. The percentage of those surveyed that responded 'very good' rose sharply from 14 to 24 percent year-on-year, according to the Index.
The global outlook is somewhat less optimistic - 46 percent of respondents anticipate modest global growth, while 47 percent feel that global GDP will remain flat.
"This year's Index - in terms of the hard data and industry sentiment - is encouraging when it comes to the promise of emerging markets. It shows that they remain resilient and will continue to offer some of the best opportunities for near-term and long-term business growth," commented Essa Al-Saleh, president and ceo of Agility Global Integrated Logistics.
The Index found that for the top three dominant emerging markets are China, India followed by Brazil.
For the second consecutive year it identified the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) as the most likely places to emerge as logistics hubs over the next five years.
However, despite their progress, the BRIC nations need to do more to address the underlying weaknesses in their logistics sectors with second tier markets (Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, UAE, Malaysia, Mexico and Turkey) becoming increasing attractive, the Index states.
It also identified that China faces a skills shortage and a growing income disparity between rich and poor; India's weak infrastructure and bureaucracy could damage further growth prospects; Brazil's export sector is slowing; while Russia is overly dependent on energy exports.
Turkey built on a strong 2012 Index performance, moving up one spot to crack the top 10 for the first time. The Turkish market is viewed favourably with relatively low barriers to entry. It benefits from renewed interest in 'near-sourcing' among manufacturers drawn by its relatively low labour costs and proximity to a major market, in this case Europe.
Ukraine rose four places to number 20 on the overall Index. It scored well for 'market compatibility' - coming in seventh out of the 45 countries covered - a sign of strong economic and social development. Ukraine also demonstrated strong export growth to the EU over the course of 2012.
The full findings of the Agility Emerging Markets Index 2013 can be found here:
The Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index is sponsored by Agility and compiled by research and analysis group Transport
