The economy is the most important issue facing Asia Pacific logistics executives, according to a survey by research provider Transport Intelligence.
Despite the high profile which green issues have attained in the last decade, the environment was rated as least important of all the challenges.
In addition to worries over the economy, the survey also revealed that executives were still concerned about the impact of rising fuel costs despite the price of oil dropping by over 50 per cent from its peak earlier in 2008.
The third most serious challenge reported was hiring good staff. This issue was rated more highly than congestion, capacity availability, security and even fluctuating freight rates.
Some 300 executives took part in the survey, which was sponsored by logistics provider Agility and launched to coincide with Ti’s Global Distribution Strategies Conference, Hong Kong, on December 2-4.
Ti chief John Manners-Bell said: “Despite the continued strength of China, the dominant economy in the region, the survey makes it clear that the logistics sector will not be immune from the global slowdown. It is also evident that executives recognise the importance – and difficulty – of hiring the right employees to get them through this difficult time. Intellectual capital will be a key competitive differentiator.”
