Sung Hyun Son

Logistics Hub Strategy of the GCC Countries and Policy Implications: With a Focus on Saudi Arabia and the UAE

The aim of the research is to review strategic policies toward logistics hub of the GCC countries including infrastructure and hinterland development and to suggest government policies to upgrade industrial and logistics cooperation between Korea and GCC countries. In particular, logistics hub policies promoted in Saudi Arabia and UAE are analysed as case studies to draw some implications for the government policies. First, the logistics sector should be considered in connection with industrial sectors, as logistics hubs have been developed as tools for economic diversification. Second, logistics hubs in the GCC countries could be used as a base to re-export Korean products to the Iranian market after international sanctions against Iran are removed. Third, investment by Korean companies is necessary for the establishment of joint ventures between Korea and the GCC countries in logistics related business activities. Fourth, logistics information platforms should be established in major logistics hubs in the region, to help Korean companies seeking information on logistics demand and cooperative partners in the GCC market.