The financial crisis and global economic slowdown have missed the company completely, he said, and are unlikely to have a major impact on results as long as Gulf economic growth stays above 4 percent annually and oil prices average $60 a barrel.

The IMF recently forecast growth of around 6.6 percent for Gulf Arab states.

"We haven't felt it at all, certainly not in this region," Ghandour said. "At $60 a barrel one year ago, things were fine and now we're back to that. The budgets look good and government spending and the region is still booming."

Ghandour said the company would pursue its acquisition strategy and had reached the "discovery stage" of takeover talks with specific companies.

"We're going to continue our acquisition strategy, particularly in China and southeast Asia," he said. "The fact is that that the market is slowing and that makes it the ideal time to buy."

Ghandour said Aramex was focusing on acquisitions of companies with annual revenue of $50-100 million.

(Reporting by Thomas Atkins; editing by David Stamp) Keywords: WEF EMIRATES/ARAMEX

(thomas.atkins@thomsonreuters.com, Reuters Messaging:

rm://thomas.atkins.reuters.com@reuters.net, Telephone: +971.4.366.4200)

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The infrastructure investment underlines Bahrain's increasing role as a supply chain solutions hub, led by its important geographic position within Aramex's regional network, connecting by land to Kuwait, Qatar and KSA.

Streamlined by Aramex's advanced customs clearing process at key land border checkpoints, the facility will form a vital part of Aramex's supply chain model, linking through to key logistics centers within the GCC.

Its strategic location in the airport's Global Logistics Services (GLS) zone will also provide convenient access and ensure quick turnaround for cargo being shipped between the aircraft and warehouse.

Catering to the needs of a range of industries, including telecommunications, electronics, and textiles, Aramex's CEO for the GCC, Hussein Hachem says that the new centre will help provide customers with a competitive edge. "At Aramex, we are committed to providing our customers in Bahrain with the most efficient distribution network possible, one that is supported by world-class infrastructure," said Hachem.

"At our new facility in Bahrain, we are able to develop highly-customized solutions for retail customers that respond to their unique needs and meet the demands of an increasingly competitive market," he added.

The TAPA-certified facility implements global standards in security and boasts loading docks and advanced warehouse management technology, including a comprehensive system for processing orders.

(C) 2008 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)

The topic of double-digit inflation will be on high priority at the Al-Rouad debate. Speakers are expected to highlight the appropriate monetary and exchange rate policies that will be implemented to maintain regional prosperity. They will also address the possibility of opening new economic sectors in the Arab world for foreign investment beyond oil-related activities to strengthen the regional economy and enhance private sector participation. In addition, the strong speaker lineup will share key insights into the overhauling of the regional educational system to meet the needs of the changing and increasingly globalised economy, with the purpose of ensuring regional employment for the next generation.

A recent poll conducted by Leaders Presents revealed that the soaring inflation rates in the Gulf region are starting to cause concern among regional leaders. Asked about how they would rate their company's profit's negative exposure to inflation, 55% said that they rate their companies' exposure to inflation as medium, while 21% rated this exposure as high. Despite the overall concern, the survey, which reflects the opinions of nearly 300 regional business leaders and key decision makers from across the region, also revealed that 76% percent of those surveyed intend to increase their workforce in the GCC within the next 12 months.

"The GCC countries should work together for a greater integration of their economies," said Shaikha Khaled Al Bahar, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at National Bank of Kuwait. "As we've seen, the recession of the US dollar has reflected negatively on GCC currencies linked to it; therefore I believe that GCC countries should depeg their currencies from the dollar to curb inflation, as we did in Kuwait. The introduction of a unified GCC currency could also be a positive resolution towards the betterment of the economic situation. We should work together to create a better future for new generations - this is our responsibility." "I believe that regional leaders now have a large and growing influence on public attitudes, investment decisions and governmental policies," said Lucy Mountain, Conference Director. "These renowned leaders will help shape thinking across the Middle East business environment. Their participation in the Al-Rouad panel debate is a unique opportunity to discuss and learn from their ideas for solving major regional challenges in an ever-changing and increasingly globalised economy." Nine of the world's powerful political and economic business leaders have confirmed their participation at Leaders in Dubai Business Forum, to be held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Center from November 16-18. Confirmed speakers include James Wolfensohn, Mohamed ElBaradei, Tom Peters, Sir Winfried Bischoff, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Dave Ulrich, Geoffrey West, Thomas Frey and David Taylor.

The Leaders in Dubai Business Forum 2008 is supported by Citibank, Nokia, Amlak Finance, Etisalat, Al-Mal Capital, Wasl, the InterContinental Hotel and Cadillac. Media Partners include Al-Arabiya News Channel and CNN.(C) 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

Refaat Jaafar, Managing Editor of Forbes Arabia, said that the listing of the top 40 Arab brands was conducted in cooperation with TNS Middle East & Africa, in line with a group of specialised lists issued by Forbes Arabia during 2008, including the Arab World's richest list, Highest Income Earners among Arab Preachers, the 50 most powerful businesswomen in the Arab World, and the top Arab investment firms and funds. It is only the second time since the Top 40 Arab Brands list has been announced since the Arabic version of the magazine was first issued in 2004, following a similar list in 2006. The new list is an updated version of the previous list and reflects the changes witnessed in the market such as the emergence of new brands and the exit of others.

An evening with Forbes Arabia and Wataniya Telecom gala dinner was attended by a large number of businessmen as well as officials and representatives of private and public organisations in the region, and featured a discussion session run by the Media-star Hala Sarhan. In this discussion, the participants shared their views regarding the challenges faced by Arab brands amid the global credit crisis, and considered required means for addressing the challenges while also promoting the reputation of Arab brands strategically and practically on the regional and global levels. The discussion also highlighted the available potential for these brands to establish themselves in the respective markets, and to compete with the Asian, European and American brands in global markets.

This invitation-only event was co-sponsored by Wataniya Telecom as Platinum sponsor, Almarai and Ajmal Perfumes as gold sponsors, and Aramex as a silver sponsor; in participation with CNBC Arabiya as the Media sponsor of the event.

The full listing of the Top 40 Arab Brands is included in the November issue of Forbes Arabia.(C) 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)