gccsupplychaininsider

Find Your Mr. Eric Wee Before the boardrooms, the ministries, and the GCC, there was a warehouse in Singapore (Reda Pump), and I was one of their warehousemen. Today, I advise on supply chain strategy across the GCC and Asia, a journey across five countries, three integrated 3PL platforms built and scaled, hundreds of millions in annual procurement spend, and national programs from Qatar's Strategic Stock to FIFA World Cup retail operations, including keeping shelves stocked when the world shuts down. Two chapters I'm especially proud of: Contributing to Oman's Supreme Council for Planning on the Oman Logistics 2030 Blueprint, helping position the Sultanate as a regional logistics hub. Partnering with the Qatar government on national food security, stockholding, cold chain, and continuity frameworks that protect millions from pandemic, blockade, and shocks no one saw coming. When people hear I work in supply chain, the response is still: "Oh, like trucks and warehouses...

When headlines focus on the world’s largest airlines by market capitalization, the spotlight usually falls on individual names such as Delta, United, Ryanair, or Singapore Airlines. While that ranking is interesting, a deeper and more strategic lens is to evaluate airline market capitalization by country . This approach reveals which nations have built strong aviation ecosystems, mature capital markets, supportive regulation, and sustainable demand for air travel. The Global Leaders by Country Based on recent public market values, the United States leads by a wide margin. This is driven by multiple listed carriers including Delta, United, Southwest, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. China follows strongly, supported by Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Hainan Airlines, and other domestic carriers. China’s strength reflects scale, population demand, and continued infrastructure investment. Ireland ranks surprisingly high due to Ryanair, proving that one highly effici...

When you post a job opportunity on LinkedIn, your reach is global, and that's a wonderful thing. But here's something worth pausing on: That "weird hour" message? It's not carelessness. It's someone navigating a 5, 6, or even 8-hour time difference just to connect with you. When someone in Doha, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, or Lagos applies for your role, it may be midnight for them, or 5 am. They're making the effort anyway because they're serious about the opportunity. And here's something else many overlook: Weekends are not universal. In some countries, the weekend falls on Friday and Saturday. In others, it's Saturday and Sunday. Public holidays, rest days, and off days differ across cultures, religions, and regions. So, that candidate who goes quiet on a Friday? It may be their weekend. That message that came in on a Sunday? It may be a regular workday where they are. This works both ways, and that's important too: ✅ Don't judge a candi...

In today's volatile business environment, companies can no longer afford to operate in silos. Sales teams chase revenue, operations focus on capacity, finance controls costs, and procurement manages supply risk. Without alignment, the result is often excess inventory, stockouts, missed targets, and frustrated customers. This is where Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) becomes critical. S&OP is not just a monthly meeting—it is a strategic management process that aligns demand, supply, financial goals, and operational capabilities into one clear business plan. Why S&OP Matters When implemented properly, S&OP helps organizations: → Improve forecast accuracy → Reduce excess inventory and working capital → Increase product availability and service levels → Align commercial plans with operational capacity → Improve cross-functional decision making → Respond faster to market disruptions → Drive profitability through better planning discipline The Real Value of S&O...

While the ceasefire has brought cautious optimism, the reality for global trade and logistics remains far more complex. With the Strait of Hormuz still effectively closed and Iranian ports operating under naval blockade conditions, critical supply chain pressures continue. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important trade arteries, particularly for energy flows, petrochemicals, containerized cargo, and regional shipping. Any restriction, regardless of a ceasefire announcement, creates immediate operational consequences: → Vessel rerouting and longer transit times → Higher freight and marine insurance costs → Delays in raw materials and industrial inputs → Reduced shipping reliability across the Gulf region → Increased volatility in fuel and commodity markets For supply chain leaders, this is a reminder that geopolitical headlines do not always equal operational normality. A ceasefire may pause direct conflict, but if key maritime gateways remain co...

In a region where diplomacy and dialogue are essential for stability, trust between neighbors matters deeply. For many in Qatar, recent actions by the IRGC have created a genuine sense of disappointment and betrayal. Qatar has consistently positioned itself as a nation that values mediation, constructive engagement, and open channels of communication, often serving as a bridge during difficult geopolitical moments. Under the leadership of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has worked tirelessly to promote regional stability, dialogue, and peaceful engagement. When goodwill and pragmatic engagement are met with actions that threaten stability, it inevitably raises serious questions about trust and reciprocity. Sustainable regional security cannot be built on provocation. It requires mutual respect, responsibility, and recognition that the stability of one nation is closely tied to the stability of the entire region. Many who have lived and worked in Qatar for y...

I n times of geopolitical uncertainty, supply chains don't stop; they reroute. Oman is quietly emerging as a logistics sanctuary in the region. While others face congestion and heightened risk exposure, Oman offers a strategic alternative, not just as a backup, but as a forward-looking hub for diversified supply chains. This shift isn't temporary; it's structural. For other GCC states, the opportunity is to partner, not compete, strengthening resilience through a connected, multi-port network. #SupplyChain #Logistics #Oman #GCC #Resilience #Trade By: 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓮𝓮𝓿𝓮 𝓢𝓣

The GCC job market is at an inflection point, and not the kind anyone planned for. Thousands of professionals have already been repatriated from the Gulf since late February. Hiring has stalled across hospitality, aviation, retail, and mega-project construction. People are quietly downsizing their homes. Expats who have built lives here are preparing contingency plans they never thought they'd need. This is not 2008. This is not COVID-19. This time, the disruption is striking at the very narrative that made the GCC a destination of choice, stability, growth, and opportunity. After two decades leading supply chain and logistics organisations across the GCC, Asia, and Africa, through commodity shocks, trade disruptions, and demand volatility, I've learned that crises don't create character. They reveal it. Here's what I've seen separates those who come out stronger: Skills-first professionals adapt faster. If your value is tied to a title or a sector, you're expos...