Every gateway provides for the flow of traffic both in and out, so this is a particularly apt description of Bahrain's role in the contemporary scene of the northern Gulf and GCC states.

Throughout history this island has been a crossroads for trade, which in the 21st century can be summed up in one word: logistics. Bahrain offers a unique combination of air, sea and land transportation infrastructure - not to mention a sophisticated international banking community as well as modern industrial potential and a thriving tourism industry.

The skills, services and first-class technology to be found on the island are increasingly recognized by the many multinationals seeking to establish themselves within a user-friendly commercial environment that sits conveniently between the time-zones of east and west, thus making the optimum use of a major international airport, short sea links throughout the Gulf and direct connection to the road networks of the Arabian peninsula.

The island enjoys a unique position to serve the transportation and logistical demands of the Gulf region that are ever-increasing as consignees recognize its special advantages.

The various air, land and sea options- and combinations of them - offer a varied choice that enables shippers to put together the most efficient and cost-effective transportation modes for their cargo.

Freight from all over the world can be flown into Bahrain for trucking to Saudi Arabia, GCC, Levant and even Europe; containers arriving at Mina Salman from the Far East can be stripped, and individual deliveries be made by air or road to any part of the Arabian peninsula - as can LCL consignments be consolidated at the port for onward shipment.

Thus Bahrain has evolved into a highly integrated logistics hub, with a community of sophisticated freight forwarding operators and transport companies highly experienced in per mutating the various alternatives to deliver the best solutions for customers.

With freight volumes continually increasing at Bahrain International Airport, the cargo community is also expanding: BAS Cargo Services and DHL, the two biggest concerns, are both seeking to increase resources and upgrade capability. At the new Global Logistics Services complex, a niche service is offered to fast track smaller cargo volumes.

Less than 5 km away, the Container Terminal at Mina Salman has developed facilities for breaking down and consolidating individual container loads, a service destined to achieve even greater sophistication at the new Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman super-port.

Seaport and airport have a fast, direct link to the King Fahd Causeway, where several logistics operators, such as DHL, have developed special facilities for customs clearance.

In an environment where technology drives efficient service, all who operate within the expanding Bahrain logistics hub, are seeking to harness the latest ideas to serve their customers - and the region.