Asia-Pacific Countries Dominate Agility Emerging Markets Logistic Index

China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia among leaders in global logistics ranking

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SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 10 February
2021 – Asia-Pacific
nations lead all emerging market regions with China, India and Indonesia being
the world’s top emerging markets in the 12^th annual Agility Emerging
Markets Logistics Index, a broad gauge of competitiveness based on logistics
strength and business fundamentals.

The Index
ranks 50 countries by factors that make them attractive to logistics providers,
freight forwarders, shipping lines, air cargo carriers and distributors. Among
ASEAN countries, Vietnam climbs three spots to No. 8 overall. Indonesia (3),
Malaysia (5), Thailand (11) are strong; the Philippines rises one spot to No.
21.

China and
Vietnam were virtually alone in the world in 2020, posting positive GDP growth
for the year after being hit early by economic fallout from the COVID-19
pandemic.

Early 2020
supply disruptions in China prompted some to question whether it would
experience an exodus of manufacturing by multi-nationals seeking to diversify
sourcing and production. But the 1,200 logistics industry executives surveyed
for Agility’s Index indicate little desire to uproot from China or other
markets, preferring by a two-to-one margin to protect their supply chains by
accelerating adoption of digital tools and technology (41.3%) as opposed to
pursuing multi-shoring, near-shoring or reshoring strategies (21.9%).

Of those
who would consider moving out of China, more respondents chose Vietnam as a
preferred production hub than any other country (19.6%). Other Asian markets —
India (17.4%), Indonesia (12.4%), Thailand (10.3%) and Malaysia — are the next
leading choices. Only 7.8% of industry executives say relocating production
from China would mean reshoring to their home countries.

Asia-Pacific
is the region that more respondents believe will recover from the global
pandemic by the end of 2021. Of those surveyed, 55.9% predict an Asia-Pacific
economic recovery in 2021; 53.1% believe Europe will rebound.

“Asia Pacific experienced great turmoil in the
beginning of 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, but it has rebounded strongly,
led by the powerful performance of China and Vietnam. The region is on track
for a full recovery this year,” says Andy Vargoczky, SVP of Sales &
Marketing Asia-Pacific, Agility GIL. “India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and
Vietnam continue to improve their supply chain infrastructure and capabilities,
showing why they are leaders in domestic and international logistics.”

 

Across 50 countries, China, India and Indonesia
rank highest in the Index for domestic logistics. China, India and Mexico are
on top for international logistics with Vietnam 4^th, Indonesia 5^th,
and Malaysia 7^th. UAE, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have the best
business fundamentals.

Transport Intelligence (Ti), a leading analysis
and research firm for the logistics industry, compiled the Index.

John Manners-Bell, Chief
Executive of Ti, says: “The strength of the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics
Index has always been to differentiate between those emerging markets which
demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity and those which are more
fragile. This year is no exception. Although some — especially China and
Vietnam — have been able to rebalance around domestic industrial and consumer
demand, the majority are still highly dependent on international markets and
investment. As the COVID crisis finally unwinds over the next two years, those
most resilient will bounce back the fastest. Inevitably, those which have
failed to embrace market, trade, governmental and social reforms will be
hardest hit by the fallout from the pandemic.”

 

2021 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index:  www.agility.com/2021index

 

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About Agility

Agility is a global logistics
company with $5.2 billion in annual revenue and 23,000+ employees in more than
100 countries. It is one of the world’s top freight forwarding and contract logistics
providers, and a leader and investor in technology to enhance supply chain
efficiency. Agility is a pioneer in emerging markets and one of the largest
private owners and developers of warehousing and light industrial parks in the
Middle East, Africa and Asia. Agility’s subsidiary companies offer fuel
logistics, airport services, commercial real estate and facilities management,
customs digitization, and remote infrastructure services.

About Transport Intelligence (Ti)

Ti is one of the world’s leading providers of expert
research and analysis dedicated to the global logistics industry. Utilizing the
expertise of professionals with many years of experience in the express, road
freight and logistics industries, Transport Intelligence has developed a range
of market-leading web-based products, reports, profiles and services used by
many of the world’s leading logistics suppliers, consultancies, banks and users
of logistics services.