News Desk |
Addressing a China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Conference at the National Institute of Transport (NIT) and the University of Science and Technology (NUST), Director General of the National Logistics Cell (NLC) said that it is imperative to modernize the transportation sector to effectively tackle the logistic challenge of CPEC.
The Conference was organized by the Institute of Road Safety Traffic Environment Pakistan with the collaboration of National Institute of Transportation NUST Islamabad, on Monday, 7th of May.
On Wednesday, Director General National Logistic Company (NLC) Maj Gen Mushtaq Ahmed Faisal said that NLC is positively contributing in all facets, aiming to improve the country’s rank on the Logistics Performance Index (LPI).
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“The successful actualization of CPEC requires a robust logistics mechanism for which collaboration between the logistics industries of Pakistan and China is needed”, he said. Gen. Faisal said that NLC has taken a giant leap by signing a memorandum of understanding with the world-renowned truck manufacturing company, Daimler AG, for setting up assembly plants of Mercedes-Benz in Pakistan. Last week, National Logistics Cell (NLC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the German giant, Daimler AG, for local production of world-renowned Mercedes‐Benz trucks by NLC in Pakistan, GVS earlier reported.
The MOU was signed on behalf of NLC by Major General Mushtaq Faisal and Mr. Zia Ahmed, CEO Pak NLC Motors, along with the Head of Executive Committee Mr. Klaus Fischinger, on behalf of Mercedes‐Benz Special Trucks and Dr. Ralf Forcher, Head of Sales at Woerth, Germany. Also present at the signing were Mr. Naseem Shaikh, Director and General Manager, Shahnawaz Ltd. and Mr. Ahmed Naeem of Shahnawaz Ltd – Shahnawaz Ltd is the authorized distributor of Daimler AG in Pakistan, who have been instrumental and played a key role in bringing together the two partners for this project of national importance.
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The local assembly of Mercedes‐Benz trucks by NLC will mark a major shift in the domestic logistics and transportation industry towards European manufacturers, who offer technologically advanced products that combine superior performance, environment friendliness, reliability and road safety.
The landmark step will go a long way to modernize the trucking of the country. The fuel-efficient and environment-friendly trucks will be available at a competitive price suited for all terrain.
Gen. Faisal said that NLC will be shortly undertaking Safe Transportation Environment project (STEP) by employing satellite and GSM technologies, which will ensure en-route integrity of cargoes on the move.
DG NLC said that border terminals being managed by NLC are helping a great deal in facilitating the export-import business. These terminals are being upgraded to reduce clearance time of consignments in coordination with other government agencies and departments. About $100 billion investments have been made by Chinese companies in divergent fields including energy, infrastructure and other sectors which have created more than 200,000 new jobs.
Addressing the conference, Jiang Han, Political Counselor of Chinese Embassy highlighted the importance of Belt and Road Initiative and said the project has brought in huge investment in Pakistan.
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Speaking on the occasion, Secretary Planning, Development and Reforms, Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui said that CPEC is bringing positive changes in the development of Pakistan. Other speakers also discussed Pakistan Road transport and Road safety, the fourth industrial revolution and role of NHA in CPEC.
Ever since the advent of CPEC, National Logistics Cell has focused on Pakistan’s road network; expanding and improvising transport routes, to reduce costs and maximize efficiency. In view of the anticipated rise in the volume of heavy vehicular traffic in wake of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), National Logistics Cell (NLC) has also planned to establish rest areas of international standard astride national highways and CPEC routes with integrated facilities for commuters in general and truckers in particular.