According to David Bagshaw, a Senior Analyst at Ti and the report's author, the boom which the countries in the region have enjoyed over the past few years is set to continue. A combination of growing consumer demand as standards of living rise, plus the increase of 'near-sourcing' by multinational manufacturers has combined to fuel logistics market growth rates of about 20% a year.

'The removal of customs barriers and the extension of the single European market to the region has had a transforming effect on the logistics market. Express and contract logistics markets have invested heavily in facilities, either piggybacking with existing multinational clients, or speculatively developing operations themselves.'

The new accession countries will contine this trend, he asserts. 'Although relatively small markets, the accession of Bulgaria and Romania is an important step forward. Many manufacturers, especially automotive and textile, have already been attracted to these low-cost countries, and they will now more easily be assimilated into European supply chains. Europe's centre of logistics gravity will move once again eastwards.'

However there are problems which will have to be overcome, he warns. 'Security and risk will be increasingly important issues for logistics suppliers. Not only do these countries themselves have a recent turbulent past, they border nations which are highly insecure. Organised crime, especially as it effects the movement and storage of goods, can not be underestimated.'

About Central & Eastern Europe Logistics 2007
CEE Logistics 2007 is a major new report from Transport Intelligence, providing invaluable in-sight into a fast growing market. The report includes analysis of major trends, both economic and logistics; a country-by-country overview of the region examining transport infrastructure, logistics and warehousing markets and the major 3PLs; profiles of the operations of the major logistics and express providers across the region. Countries covered include: Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia as well as Bulgaria and Romania.

About Transport Intelligence
Based in the UK and established in 2002, Transport Intelligence has quickly grown to become the world's leading provider of expert research and analysis dedicated to the global logistics industry. Utilising the expertise of professionals with many years experience in the mail, express and logistics industry, Transport Intelligence has developed a range of market leading web-based products, reports, profiles and services used by all the world's leading logistics suppliers, consultancies and banks as well as many governmental organisations.

For more information, reports and insight into the Central & Eastern Europe Logistics market, or to subscribe to Transport Intelligence's free daily Logistics Briefing service :
- go to www.transportintelligence.com
- or contact Mike Nordmann on +44(0)1793 850025