Released on = November 9, 2006, 5:14 am

Press Release Author = Eventis FZC - Media One Group

Industry = Transportation & Logistics

Press Release Summary = For the first time ever, key freight industry players in the
Middle East region are joining hands in setting benchmark for performance excellence
in the Middle East logistics industry through the prestigious Middle East Logistics
Awards (MELA) 2006. Slated for November 21, 2006, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates, the MELA 2006 Awards ceremony will gather luminaries and
distinguished leaders in the Middle East logistics industry in a world-class gala
event as they give a toast to the industry's best.

Press Release Body = Egyptian International Freight Forwarding Association (EIFFA)
has come in as an industry support partner for MELA 2006 Awards. General Mazen
Nadim, President, EIFFA, opined, "MELA's goal of bringing together the key logistics
industry players from the entire Middle East in a healthy competition for
performance excellence will greatly contribute to the industry's development.
Getting organisations involved from outside Dubai makes MELA truly representative of
the Middle East logistics industry and this is happening for the first time."

Likewise, the Lebanese Forwarders' Syndicate has given its support to MELA 2006
Awards. Samir Choueiri, President, Lebanese Forwarders' Syndicate, said, "What MELA
has started will have a positive impact on the logistics industry in the Middle East
region in the long run. MELA is providing a venue for the logistics community to
work closely with each other. It has opened the doors of discussion on how to move
the industry forward in the face of new challenges."

Dubai-based National Association of Freight Logistics (NAFL) is also actively
supporting MELA 2006 Awards. Captain Mansoor Yasin A Ghafoor, President, NAFL,
remarked, "The MELA Excellence Awards will propel the Middle East logistics industry
to be even better each year as it brings together industry players in all countries
in the Middle East as it benchmarks the industry's best practices."

The Dubai Shipping Agents Association (DSAA) has also joined MELA 2006 Awards as
Industry Support Partners. Saadi Rais, President, DSAA, says, "MELA is already
laying the groundwork for a stronger Middle East logistics industry. The benchmark
of excellence that is recognised by the industry will be strengthened and the
industry's competitiveness will fuel its further development."

Juan Torrents, President, FEMOZA, commented, "The economic growth and development of
the Middle East is a perfect example of the positive impact of free zones on
regional economies. Free zones in the region now offers excellent logistics services
and have become most sought-after investment destinations. With the globalisation of
economies, a new generation of door-to-door transport has emerged, offering
value-added services. The seamless transport of goods through an integrated network
in the fastest time and lowest possible cost is the constant challenge for logistics
service providers. The MELA Excellence Awards will set new standards for superior
performance in the Middle East logistics industry."

"Seventy-seven companies and twenty-three individuals in eight countries in the
Middle East are vying for the twenty-eight prestigious MELA Excellence Awards. The
Voting Process closed on November 5, 2006, 23:59 Hours. It received an overwhelming
response from the Middle East logistics community. The votes will be audited by the
leading international audit firm, AGNMAK, and the results will be announced on
November 21, 2006, during the MELA 2006 Awards function at Madinat Jumeirah in
Dubai, United Arab Emirates," says Aleem Aziz, Chief Executive Officer, MELA
Management Office.

MELA's quest for excellence in logistics and its goal to unite the entire Middle
East logistics industry received an overwhelming support from the logistics industry
associations in the Middle East as well as from international organisations such as
the World Federation of Free Zones (FEMOZA).

Web Site = http://www.mela.ae

Contact Details = For more information, please contact:
Martin Menachery
Head - Press & Information
MELA Media Committee
PO Box 72247
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+971 4) 297 6987/265 4811
Fax: (+971 4) 297 6988
Email: martin@mela.ae
Website: www.mela.ae