GLA and Caucasus University have organized the regional logistics sector challenges panel discussion
On May 6th Georgian Logistics Association (GLA) and Caucasus University have organized the panel discussion on current challenges in global and regional logistics industry and Georgia’s opportunities as a regional logistics hub. Herbert Sonntag, professor and former vice-president of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau, TH Wildau (Germany), Giorgi Eristavi, Supply Chain Project Director of PepsiCo, Irakli Tsankashvili, General Director of Logistics Solution, Michael Namadov, General Director of Kairos Logistics, Merab Jgenti, Business Development of Diplomat Georgia have participated in the panel discussion. Giorgi Doborjginidze, Chairman of GLA leaded the panel.
Panelists have summarized the challenges in the regional transport and logistics sector caused by Covid-19 pandemic and Russian-Ukrainian war. Long-term transport policy, infrastructure development, implementation of new technologies and international best practices, development of human capital in logistics were identified as major challenges in the sector. Panelists have highlighted the opportunities of the Caucasus Transport Corridor to attract significant transit flows and the opportunities for Georgia to position itself as a regional logistics and trade hub.
Professor Sonntag has introduced the German experience in development of transport and logistics sector and discussed the needs of the digitalization in the supply chain sector. He underlined an importance of the cooperation between the logistics industry and universities in teaching and research as a main factor for the successful development of human resources in the logistics sector.
Companies participated in the panel discussed the problems with a shortage in knowledge logistics staff and underlined the high importance of the Digital Logistics Management master’s program implemented by TH Wildau at Caucasus University. They mentioned an important role of the masters’ program in the development of human capital in logistics and supporting Georgia to improve its competitiveness as a regional logistics hub.