New report says both regions are committed to environment despite being “late comers”

DUBAI – NOV. 16, 2023 – South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are doing the most to combat climate change in the Middle East and Africa, according to a new report that compares government and business sustainability policies, investment and actions.

The Middle East and Africa Environmental Sustainability Scorecard, released Thursday, is the most detailed examination todate of country performance in environmental sustainability outcomes, government policies, and corporate practices in the two regions.

The report concludes that the 17 countries covered “are relative ‘late comers’ to global sustainable development but at the same time represent regions that are rapidly stepping-up their sustainability strategies, programs and investments.”

The report was commissioned by Agility, a global supply chain services company based in Kuwait. It was compiled by Horizon Group, a Geneva-based firm that specializes in research and analysis for governments, international organizations, and leading businesses worldwide.

The scorecard uses 48 performance and progress indicators to compare countries. The indicators include data, regulatory frameworks, policy assessments, incentives and corporate practices across six pillar areas: green investment and technology; sustainable infrastructure and transport; governance and reporting; energy transition; environmental ecosystems; and circularity. To capture corporate practices and progress, Horizon surveyed 647 business executives in the 17 countries.

One through 17, here’s how the countries rank: South Africa, UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Morocco, Qatar, Tanzania, Nigeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Cote d’Ivoire, Oman, Mozambique.

Key Findings

• Business isn’t paying attention to COP. Eighty-two percent of African businesses and 49% of Middle East businesses are not aware of the UN-led COP process that nations are using to push and measure efforts to tackle climate change. Few companies use COP to set their sustainability targets.
• Climate change is hurting businesses. Ninety-seven percent of companies say their business has been affected by climate change, and 49% say climate change has caused “severe damage” or has a “significant and growing” impact on them.
• Governments are leading as businesses play catch up. When it comes to climate action, governments are outpacing the private sector in both the Middle East and Africa.
• Business spending on sustainability is expected to increase. Over the next 12 months, 73% of African businesses and 62% of Middle East businesses expect more than 5% of their capital expenditure business to go to achieving environmental targets.
• No one size fits all. Different countries have different sustainability priorities based on income, economic strengths, energy dependency, and other factors. High-income, energy-producing Gulf countries generally invest more in sustainable infrastructure and ecosystems. African economies perform best in energy conservation and consumption.
• Green investment is expensive. High- and middle-income countries are investing the most: Qatar, UAE, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
• Africa is focused on green transport. Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and South Africa are tops in energy conservation and non-fossil fuels for transport. Hydrocarbon-dependent Gulf countries are focused more on green buildings. For Gulf countries, the transition to cleaner energy is complicated by energy-intensive national priorities such as their desire to boost manufacturing and their need for desalinated water. In general though, across both the Middle East and Africa, more companies are investing in greening their fleets compared to greener premises.
• Waste management, consumption are tied to wealth. High-income countries are doing more to manage waste sustainably. Poorer ones do more to constrain consumption. Overall, Egypt, South Africa, Bahrain and UAE perform best in “circularity” – cutting waste, lowering consumption, and encouraging recycling and sustainable production.

Agility was recently named the No. 3 Middle East “Sustainability Leader” for Transport & Logistics by Forbes Middle East. Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said the company’s strategy and investment decisions are increasingly shaped by the urgency of the climate fight.

“As a supply chain operator and investor in the Middle East and Africa, we want to know what governments and businesses are prioritizing, and where they’re putting resources in the climate change battle,” Sultan said. “We want to know who we can partner with in green infrastructure and transport, alternative fuels, and supply chain services that reduce environmental impact  without sacrificing performance.”

Horizon, which compiled the scorecard report for Agility, said its intent was to look “beyond the selective characteristics of the Middle East being fossil fuel-dependent with high greenhouse gas emissions per capita, and African countries being low emitters of greenhouse gases but taking relatively little action on the environment.”

The scorecard report comes on the eve of COP28, the UN-led global climate change conference convening from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12 in Dubai. Its findings amplify those of a World Economic Forum (WEF) report, issued in October, on decarbonization and energy transition in the Middle East and North Africa.

The WEF report concluded that “MENA countries trail behind comparable regions in terms of their sustainability progress. While local governments have pledged in the past 24 months to bring 60% of MENA’s emissions under the net zero ambition, businesses overall have yet to follow suit and bridge the gap with comparable global markets –12% have set up a net zero target and 6% have established a roadmap to reach net zero.”

Numbers above are rounded

KUWAIT – November 15, 2023 – Agility, a long-term investor and operator in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation, today reported third quarter 2023 earnings of KD 28 million, or 10.99 fils per share, an increase of 123% over the same period in 2022. Q3 net profit was favorably affected by a one-off gain as a result of closing an interest rate hedge. Agility’s EBITDA increased 28.1% to KD 58.7 million and revenue grew 40.8% to KD 360.8 million.

For the first nine months of 2023, Agility’s net profit was KD 57.5 million, an increase of 39%, EBITDA increased 53.8%; and revenue grew 91.5% vs. the same period in 2022.

Q3 2023 Performance

Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said: “The results from our operating businesses continue to be positive, and a testament to the global growth strategy pursued by the company. As always, we will look for opportunities to drive returns and unlock value for shareholders. In terms of our investments segment, global equity markets paused and reversed in the third quarter of the year, and we can see that reflected in our results. Agility takes a long-term view of its investments.”

Agility Controlled Businesses 

Agility’s controlled businesses are the businesses it operates and owns majority stakes in, and whose performance is consolidated and reported through Agility’s profit and loss statement. In Q3, the combined EBITDA of Agility’s controlled businesses was KD 62 million on revenue of KD 360.8 million, increases of 40.8% and 32%, respectively, over Q3 2022.

Performance of the company’s-controlled businesses is reported under three groups:

Aviation Services

Menzies Aviation’s reported revenue of KD 175.2 million and EBITDA of KD 25.7 million, increases of 66% and 50.3% over the same period a year earlier.

Menzies has benefitted from the post-pandemic recovery. Passenger flights to and from Europe, the Americas and the Middle East are back to pre-pandemic levels, whereas traffic in Southeast Asia and Australia is steadily recovering. Volume in Africa remains below pre-Covid levels.

Fuel Logistics 

Tristar’s Q3 consolidated revenue grew 15.3% vs. Q3 previous year, and EBITDA increased 21.5%. Q3 performance was driven by Tristar’s diversified portfolio of services.

Other Controlled Businesses 

As a group, Agility’s other controlled businesses reported EBITDA of KD 18.8 million on revenue of KD 101.2 million, increases of 30.4% and 21%, respectively, over Q3 2022.

The main contributors were:

Agility Logistics Parks (ALP). ALP reported 7% third-quarter revenue growth. ALP is continuing to pursue its growth strategy by increasing and optimizing its existing land bank and developing new projects.

United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC) reported a 1.4% increase in revenue for Q3. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in revenue as the result of growth in air passenger traffic. UPAC anticipates that this positive trend will continue throughout 2023.

UPAC is a co-investor in Abu Dhabi’s $1.3 billion Reem Mall on Reem Island. Reem Mall opened to the public in February 2023. To date, 143 units are occupied and doing business, and almost 71% of gross leasable area (GLA) is committed. The mall is the region’s first, fully integrated omnichannel retail ecosystem with digital, e-commerce, and logistics capabilities. It brings together all consumer and retail services to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Global Clearinghouse Systems (GCS).  At GCS, Agility’s customs modernization and ports operation company, third-quarter revenue grew 11.6% vs. the same period in 2022.

Agility’s Investments 

Agility holds non-controlling minority stakes in a number of businesses, both listed and non-listed. In Q3, the carrying value of those stakes was roughly KD 1.6 billion. Global equity markets were not favorable in Q3, resulting in a negative effect on the value of Agility’s stakes in listed companies. As announced, Agility has entered into multi-year, funded equity collar agreements with several banks to protect the value of its largest, most material investment – its stake in global logistics provider and freight forwarder DSV. The collar agreement played an important role in protecting the value of Agility’s DSV stake in Q3.

Recap of Agility Q3 2023 Financial Performance

• Agility’s net profit was KD 28 million, an increase of 123%, and EPS was 10.99 fils.
• Agility’s EBITDA increased 28.1% to KD 58.7 million.
• Agility’s revenue increased 40.8% to KD 360.8 million and net revenue increased 46.2%.
• Agility enjoys a healthy balance sheet with KD 3.7 billion in assets. Net debt was KD 874.1 million as of September 30, 2023 (this excludes lease obligations). Reported operating cash flow was KD 143.7 million for the nine months of 2023, an increase of 213%.

State-of-the-art Abidjan warehouse recognized for energy-efficient design

ABIDJAN – NOV. 1, 2023 – Agility, a supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation company, announced that the warehouses at its Agility Logistics Park in Abidjan are the first in Cote d’Ivoire and West Africa to receive EDGE Advanced certification as green buildings.

EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) is the global standard for energy-efficient buildings, a certification system overseen by the International Finance Corp. (IFC), an arm of the World Bank. Basic EDGE certification requires a minimum projected reduction of 20% energy use, water use and “embodied energy” in materials when benchmarked against a standard local building.

Agility received EDGE Advanced certification for the current 27,000 SQM of warehousing at its Abidjan park. EDGE Advanced buildings are “zero-carbon ready” structures that are at least 40% more energy efficient than others in the market.

The EDGE Advanced warehouses in Agility’s Abidjan park provide energy savings ranging from 57% to 74%; water savings ranging from 53% to 57%; and construction materials containing 63% to 69% less embedded carbon. Energy efficiency was enhanced through reduced window-to-wall ratios, insulated roofing and exterior walls, and special lighting. Water use was lowered through use of bathroom and kitchenette plumbing systems that conserve water. Roofing, slab, exterior wall materials, and window glazing materials lowered the amount of embedded carbon.

“Agility is determined to lead the way in Africa with the development of modern, energy-efficient warehouse parks to meet the growing demand across the Continent. Agility warehouses are used for storage, distribution, packing, processing and light manufacturing. We want to help multinationals meet international standards and be able to scale to meet the burgeoning African market demand. The provision of quality infrastructure improves efficiency, reduces costs and enables growth, generating jobs and prosperity,” said Geoffrey White, CEO of Agility Africa.

Agility Logistics Parks are secure, connected, 24/7 complexes with Grade A and Grade B, international-standard warehouses designed with advanced engineering and sustainability features, and sites for data center campuses. Elsewhere in Africa, Agility Logistics Parks has a 160,000 SQM facility in Accra, Ghana; a 320,000 SQM park in Maputo, Mozambique; a 270,000 SQM park in Lagos, Nigeria; as well as the 270,000 SQM Yanmu East logistics park in Cairo, Egypt, part of a joint venture with Hassan Allam Utilities.

The Abidjan facility is the second Agility warehouse to receive EDGE Advanced certification. In 2022, a warehouse at the Agility Logistics Park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was the first warehousing facility in the the Middle East and North Africa to receive EDGE Advanced certification.

Tenants at Agility Logistics Parks include international and local businesses in the retail, consumer goods, technology, automotive, energy and e-commerce sectors.

White said: “Agility warehouse parks provide a simple foundation for supporting efficient, competitive businesses in Africa. The ready-built Agility warehouses permit local companies to grow and develop, and reduce time-to-market for new companies coming to Africa. The growing network of Agility warehouse parks are aligned with the significant opportunities being created by the AfCFTA to improve and expand trade both regionally and internationally.”

Aims to support digitization of the healthcare sector through introduction of new cutting-edge medical technologies, knowledge transfer.  

RIYADH – OCT. 29, 2023 – Agility, a supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation company, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (MISA) today to explore how to strengthen the Saudi healthcare sector by bringing cutting-edge health technology and services to the Kingdom; while supporting new job creation and knowledge transfer.

Under the agreement, Agility and MISA will explore four areas of collaboration in the healthcare sector. This includes the potential for expanding digital health services and localizing the supply chain for innovative new medical technologies, as well as supporting Agility’s technology ventures partners in establishing regional offices in the Kingdom to attract Saudi talent and promote transfer of critical supply chain and healthcare knowledge.

Saudi Arabia is transforming its healthcare system as part of its sweeping Vision 2030 national strategic plan. The goals of Vision 2030’s Healthcare Sector Transformation Program are to include improve access to care, modernize facilities, and enhance the role of private-sector investment.

The MOU aims to broaden Saudis’ access to preventative health services and technology to combat chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. MISA and Agility are exploring how to expand e-health services in the Kingdom, by bringing in companies that, for example, enable early detection of heart problems and monitoring of heart health indicators and other bio signals through simple mobile phone selfie images, and that make breast cancer screenings more widely and easily available through the use of high-resolution imagery technology that is highly efficient and low-cost.

“MISA is playing a key role in the Kingdom’s healthcare transformation, identifying investors and partners such as Agility that can help us deliver a more comprehensive, effective, integrated, and digitally enabled system. This agreement will improve access to healthcare and quality of care by expanding delivery of e-health services and digital solutions that meet the highest international standards,” said Engineer Saleh Al-Khabti, Deputy Minister of MISA.

“By embracing healthcare innovation and investment, Saudi Arabia is taking steps that will improve the quality of life and life expectancy of millions of its citizens. Agility, which has been investing in the Kingdom for two decades, is ideally positioned to introduce critical supply chain expertise and innovation partners to help tackle the challenge,” said Tarek Sultan, Agility Vice Chairman. We welcome the collaboration with MISA and the opportunity to explore the potential for significant future investment in KSA’s healthcare sector, and the creation of new job opportunities in the process.”

Agility has been investing and doing business in Saudi Arabia for two decades. It is building and operating some of the Kingdom’s most advanced and sustainable warehousing parks, located in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah. Agility’s Tristar affiliate provides Saudi oil and gas and chemical companies with transport, warehousing and specialized logistics services, and supports their energy transition journey. Agility’s Menzies Aviation business has signed a MOU with SAL to unlock potential for Saudi Arabia’s airports, with the goal of improving passenger services, cargo handling and warehousing, and airline hub management for Saudi-based airlines. Shipa, Agility’s digital e-commerce logistics and last-mile delivery company, provides both domestic parcel delivery and cross-border shipping to and from the GCC and Saudi Arabia. Agility Ventures is investing in Saudi startups and technology innovation.

Photo Caption: HE Khalid Alfalih, Minister of Investment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HE Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, HE Fahad Al-Jalajel, Minister of Health, and Tarek Sultan, Vice Chairman of Agility, at the Global Health Exhibition in Riyadh on Sunday.

Numbers above are rounded

KUWAIT – August 14^th, 2023 – Agility, a long-term investor and operator in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation, today reported second quarter 2023 earnings of KD 14.2 million, or 5.55 fils per share, a decrease of 11.7% over the same period in 2022. Net profit this quarter was impacted by higher interest rate expenses resulting from a general increase in interest rates in addition to an increase in debt required to finance the company’s acquisitions last year. Agility’s EBITDA increased 63.4% to KD 60.5 million and revenue grew 136.8% to KD 327.8 million.

On a like-for-like basis — excluding the performance of Menzies Aviation and HG Storage International, which were acquired in August 2022 — Agility’s EBITDA increased by 9.5% to KD 41.5 million, and revenue grew 8.9% in the second quarter of 2023.

For the first six months of 2023, Agility’s net profit stood at KD 29.4 million, an increase of 2.3%, EBITDA increased by 70.4%, and revenues increased by 139.7% compared to the same period last year.

Q2 2023 Performance

Agility Vice Chairman Tarek Sultan said: “We’re pleased with our growth and performance this quarter. We continue to see good results in our operating businesses due to organic growth and our acquisitions in 2022. Global equity markets performed better this quarter, reflecting in our investments segment. Nevertheless, we continue to take a longer-term view of our strategic investments. We also continue to look for opportunities to drive and unlock value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities.”

Agility Controlled Businesses 

Agility’s controlled businesses are the businesses the company controls and operates and whose performance is consolidated and reported through Agility’s profit and loss statement. In Q2, the combined EBITDA of our controlled businesses was KD 61.2 million on revenue of KD 327.8 million, increases of 54% and 136.8%, respectively, over Q2 2022.

Performance of the company’s controlled businesses is reported under three groups:

Aviation Services

Menzies Aviation’s revenue was KD 162.2 million and EBITDA KD 21.9 million in Q2 2023, an increase of 861.8% and 367.2% over the same period last year when Agility was reporting solely on NAS’s results. These Q2, 2023 results include the results of Menzies Aviation that was acquired in Q3 of 2022 in addition to those of the legacy National Aviation Services (NAS) business, now combined under “Menzies Aviation”.  The combined entity’s EBITDA margin is 13.5% today.

Menzies Aviation results have strengthened with the post-pandemic aviation industry recovery, which has included growth in flight volumes. Volumes in most geographies have fully recovered, except for East Asia, where lockdown restrictions were strictest, and volumes are now slowly growing. Menzies has a number of new operations that it has launched or acquired: Jamaica, Panama, Atlanta, Milan, Montreal and others.

The integration of NAS with Menzies is now complete and the synergies, both operational and financial, are being realized.

Fuel Logistics 

Tristar’s Q2 consolidated revenue grew 76.2% vs. Q2 a year earlier and EBITDA increased 33.5%. This growth is driven mainly by the momentum of our Maritime and Fuel Farms segments. Tristar’s addition of HG Storage International also contributed to this growth. The results of this quarter reflect Tristar’s continued operational improvement and demonstrate the effectiveness of their diversified portfolio.

Other Controlled Businesses 

As a group, Agility’s other controlled businesses reported EBITDA of KD 23 million and revenue of KD 82.1 million, increases of 1% and 9%, respectively, over Q2 2022.

The main contributors were:

Agility Logistics Parks (ALP). ALP reported 7.8% second-quarter revenue growth. ALP Kuwait performed well but still faces a challenge to future operations at certain facilities situated on land leased from the Kuwaiti government. Elsewhere, ALP is continuing to pursue its growth strategy by increasing and optimizing its existing land bank, developing new projects, and looking to acquire additional land, especially in the Middle East and Africa.

United Projects for Aviation Services Company (UPAC) reported a 1.2% increase in revenue for Q2. The increase was primarily attributable to a rebound in airport services and parking and the beginning of the summer holiday season for travel.

UPAC is a co-investor in Abu Dhabi’s $1.3 billion Reem Mall on Reem Island. The mall officially opened to the public on Feb. 16, 2023, with more than 110 units currently trading; and almost 50% of GLA committed. UPAC expects a gradual opening by more tenants over the coming months. The mall is the region’s first, fully integrated omnichannel retail ecosystem with digital, e-commerce, and logistics capabilities. It brings together all consumer and retail services to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Global Clearinghouse Systems (GCS).  At GCS, Agility’s customs-modernization and ports operation company, second-quarter revenue grew 6.3% vs. the same period in 2022. GCS is focused on delivering optimal efficiency and services to its customers.

Agility’s Investments 

Agility holds non-controlling minority stakes in a number of businesses, both listed and non-listed. In Q2, the carrying value of those stakes was roughly KD 1.7 billion. Agility has seen an improvement in global equity markets, positively impacting our investment value.

Agility has entered into multi-year, funded equity collar agreements with several banks to protect the value of the DSV investment which is the biggest investment in this segment.

Recap of Agility Q2 2023 Financial Performance

• Agility’s net profit stood at KD 14.2 million and EPS was 5.55 fils.
• Agility’s EBITDA increased 63.4% to KD 60.5 million.
• Agility’s revenue increased 136.8% to KD 327.8 million and net revenue increased 177.3%.
• Agility enjoys a healthy balance sheet with KD 3.7 billion in assets. Net debt stood at KD 881.5 million as of June 30, 2023 (this excludes lease obligations). Reported operating cash flow was KD 89.7 million for the six months of 2023, an increase of 268.2%.

18 July 2023, London: Menzies Aviation, the leading service provider to airports and airlines, has expanded its presence in the Balkans by agreeing a majority stake in Cargo Handling Services Limited (CHS) at Sofia International Airport (SOF) in Bulgaria. The joint venture increases Menzies Aviation’s footprint in Europe to 50 airports in 17 countries.

Established in 2016, CHS provides a range of cargo services at SOF including warehousing, import and export handling, mail handling and temperature-controlled storage. CHS will benefit from being part of Menzies’ global network and will transition to the Menzies brand and its best-in-class standards and systems.

Sofia International Airport is located 5km from the centre of Bulgaria’s capital and largest city. It is the biggest international airport in the country with scheduled connections to all major European business centres, serving 21 airlines.

Miguel Gomez Sjunnesson, Executive Vice President Europe, Menzies Aviation, said: “CHS is a well-regarded cargo provider at Sofia Airport, which has potential for significant growth. Strategically, this investment supports our ambitions to accelerate growth by expanding our air cargo business and entering emerging aviation markets. We’re looking forward to working with our new partners and, in the long-term, increasing our market share at Sofia Airport.”

Tim Buisseret, Commercial Director, British Embassy Sofia, said: “We are delighted that Menzies Aviation has expanded their presence to Bulgaria, and we look forward to supporting them to develop their business. Bulgaria has great long-term prospects, Sofia is a key strategic location, and I’m sure that Menzies will succeed here.”

For further information contact:

Bronwyn Torrie, Head of Communications, Menzies Aviation
via Dentons Global Advisors
Dentons Global Advisors, One Fleet Place, London, EC4M 7RA
[email protected]
Tel: +44 (0)7510 385552

• The Company is preparing its submission to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) aligned with the Net-Zero Standard, building on its previous carbon reduction commitments.
• The commitment is a first for the aviation services sector and sets ambitious milestones internally and within its value chain.
• The Company continues to develop its ‘electric first’ approach to new motorised ground services equipment (GSE) as it works towards 25% of its GSE being electric by 2025.
• Menzies will proactively support airline customers and key stakeholders in their emission reduction efforts through adoption of sustainable solutions.

12 June 2023, London: Menzies Aviation, the leading service partner to the world’s airports and airlines, announces its net-zero commitment for scope 1, 2, and 3 CO₂e emissions across the company by 2045. The transition pathway and initiatives to ensure the company meets this target will be announced following its submission and review of targets by the Science Based Targets initiative.

The commitments, which are published in its 2022 Annual Review & Sustainability Report, reflect the company’s refreshed sustainability targets following the launch of its ‘All In’ plan for a fair and sustainable future in 2021. The Menzies Aviation board are accountable for setting the company’s strategy with a commitment to ensure reporting against stated objectives is both accessible and transparent.

John Geddes, Chief Governance & Sustainability Officer & Company Secretary, Menzies Aviation commented: “While sustainability is the cornerstone of our business strategy, collaboration between airports, airlines and aviation services is what is most vital to truly creating a difference in how the industry addresses the threat of climate change. At Menzies we believe that there is a clear opportunity for the aviation services sector to follow our lead and work towards similarly ambitious targets to help achieve a sustainable future. Growth will always be important, but it must be both responsible and sustainable.”

The report includes wider ESG targets, initiatives, plans and commitments and outlines progress against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past year, Menzies made significant progress in its push towards a more sustainable future with key highlights including:

• Added nearly 200 electric GSE to its fleet, with the aim to have 25% of its global motorised GSE to be electric by 2025;
• Opened its first GSE refurbishment and repower workshop in Las Vegas to convert diesel baggage tractors to electric, with plans to scale this further in 2023 and beyond;
• Improved the training, awareness and cyber reporting for employees, rolled out new technologies to improve the management of vulnerabilities and to proactively detect malicious activity in its IT environment;
• Continued to proactively support airline customers and key stakeholders in their emission reduction efforts through adoption of sustainable solutions;
• Joined the Tent Partnership for Refugees to support more refugees to secure work at Menzies;
• Adopted the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles as part of its commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment;
• Focused on allyship and unconscious bias, delivering new training to support employees;
• Participated in two UN Accelerator programmes – Target Gender Equality and Climate Ambition Accelerator;
• Actively participating in the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Ambition Accelerator programme focusing on progressing goal 13 Climate Action.

Philipp Joeinig, Chief Executive, of Menzies Aviation added: “We are pleased with the progress we have made against our key strategic sustainability pillars of environment, ethics, people and safety over the past year. Our teams work tirelessly to identify opportunities where we can improve our ability to operate as a fair and sustainable business, while not sacrificing on the quality of service we provide our clients, partners, and their customers.

“Collaborating with customers and partners is high on the agenda for the year ahead and we look forward to working with them as we look for opportunities to support them achieve their sustainability goals as well as supporting the wider industry to reach net-zero targets.”

You can read and download the 2022 Annual Review & Sustainability Report here.

Long-time free trade advocate to advise chief of world’s top trade body

GENEVA – JULY 6, 2023 – The head of the World Trade Organization has named Tarek Sultan, Vice Chairman of Agility, to a new 10-member Business Advisory Group created to share the views of businesses on trade and regulation.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said she created the group and a second Civil Society Advisory Group to strengthen her engagement with business and civil society.

“I have observed a strong desire to share perspectives on the impact of trade and trade rules on their constituents. By establishing the advisory groups, I aim to facilitate such exchanges on a more regular basis,” she said.

The WTO, based in Geneva, has 164 member countries that account for 98% of global trade. The organization acts as a forum for multi-lateral trade negotiations, sets trade rules, provides technical assistance for developing countries, and handles trade disputes.

Sultan has been a forceful voice for free trade at the World Economic Forum and leading business organizations. He has urged the WTO and member countries to take steps to make trade fairer and more open for small businesses, women-led businesses, and emerging markets countries. In addition, he has called for faster digitization of customs and trade, and he has criticized the wave of non-tariff trade barriers erected by various countries in recent years.

Agility is a leader in supply chain services, infrastructure and investment intended to facilitate and boost trade. It is a leading developer of warehousing and industrial infrastructure in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. It provides customs modernization, digital logistics, e-commerce, and aviation services that are crucial to cross-border trade.

“I’m honored to join the WTO Business Advisory Group and grateful for the chance to share my perspective with Director-General Okonjo-Iweala,” Sultan said. “Trade is essential to global growth and prosperity. In my view, we must act now to expand trade and ensure that its benefits are broadly shared and used to build a fairer, cleaner, safer world.”

In addition to Sultan, other members of the WTO Business Advisory Group are:

• Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Founder and Chairman, Coronation Capital Limited
• Thomas Cueni, Director General, International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations
• John Denton, Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce
• Prasoon Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO, BillionBricks
• Josie Morris, Managing Director, WoolCool
• Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner, co-author of “Net Positive”
• José Viñals, Group Chairman, Standard Chartered
• Diane Wang, Founder, Chairperson, CEO of DHgate Group
• Rosa Whitaker, President and CEO, The Whitaker Group