Cem Gunfer of Aldar Investment to speak at Logistics Leaders MENA 2025

Logistics Middle East has confirmed Cem Gunfer, Head of Industrial and Logistics at Aldar Investment, as a speaker at Logistics Leaders MENA 2025, taking place on November 25, 2025, at the Holiday Inn & Suites Dubai Science Park. The high-profile event will bring together policymakers, industry pioneers, and technology disruptors to explore how growth is reshaping the flow of goods and opportunities across the region.

About the Speaker: Cem Gunfer

Cem Gunfer is the Head of Industrial and Logistics at Aldar Investment, where he leads the company’s strategy, investments, and development initiatives across the fast-growing logistics real estate sector in the UAE and the wider GCC region. In this role, Gunfer has established Aldar’s Industrial & Logistics business as a new strategic vertical under Aldar Investment, shaping its portfolio through a combination of development-led and investment-led growth. His remit encompasses large-scale logistics parks, build-to-suit facilities, and light-industrial assets, including flagship projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as ongoing expansion into Saudi Arabia.

Before joining Aldar, Gunfer spent over a decade at EY, where he led M&A Advisory, followed by several years as Head of M&A and Corporate Development at Noon eCommerce. During this time, he drove regional investment and partnership initiatives, including Noon’s regional mega-fulfilment facilities in the UAE and KSA. Today, Gunfer focuses on advancing Aldar’s logistics ecosystem through institutional partnerships, sustainable development, and technology-enabled asset management, positioning Aldar as a regional leader in industrial and logistics real estate.

Dubai’s Logistics Expansion and Market Demand

For the past few years, the logistics sector in the UAE, specifically Dubai, has been experiencing unprecedented growth. Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is expanding its Logistics Park with a major AED 90 million investment in Phase 2. The new phase will add 360,000 square feet of high-quality facilities. This expansion is part of the UAE’s goal to increase the logistics sector’s value to AED 200 billion per year over the next seven years. It also strengthens Dubai’s position as a key player in global trade.

As noted by industry leaders, the expansion of Jafza Logistics Park shows our dedication to helping businesses grow and attracting more foreign investment into Dubai. Phase 1 was fully leased before it was even finished, which shows how much demand there is for high-quality logistics and storage facilities. In 2024, e-commerce accounted for 40% of total industrial demand in Dubai. Therefore, this trend is compelling businesses to opt for strategically located warehouses that ensure efficient supply chain management.

Key Logistics Market Data and Growth Projections

The following data highlights the current growth trends and infrastructure statistics within the UAE logistics sector:

• Total Jafza Logistics Park Coverage: Over 922,000 square feet after expansion.
• Jafza Phase 2 Investment: AED 90 million.
• Jebel Ali Port Throughput (2024): Over 14 million TEUs.
• Dubai Investment Park Warehouse Rent Increase: 25%.
• Dubai Industrial City Warehouse Rent Increase: 21%.
• E-commerce Share of Industrial Demand (Dubai, 2024): 40%.
• Projected ME&A Freight and Logistics Market (2031): $235.8 billion.
• UAE Logistics Sector Target Value (per year): AED 200 billion over the next seven years.

Transforming the Regional Supply Chain

The half-day summit will open with a keynote address setting the stage for a series of thought-provoking discussions, executive insights, and networking sessions focused on the future of logistics and supply chain transformation across the Middle East. The expanded park will help meet this rising demand, offering direct access to Jebel Ali Port, giving businesses excellent market connectivity. These services will cater to a range of products, from technology and auto parts to various industrial goods, reinforcing Dubai's status as a global hub.