Thursday, March 06, 2008
By Israr Khan
ISLAMABAD: The government on Wednesday released trucking policy documents aimed at modernising the sector, which is part of the National Trade Corridor Improvement Programme (NTCIP) of the government.
It aims to reform and promote integrated and sustainable modernisation of the trucking sector, for improving trade and logistic efficiencies and reducing the cost of economy through efficient management of the road freight sector. The benefits will be reaped by getting access to finance from commercial banks and leasing companies to upgrade the present obsolete fleet.
Moreover, revamping of the motor vehicle registration system (MVRS) and the creation of a Central Data Repository (CDR) shall integrate MVRS operating in all the provinces.
It is interesting to note that the government has already declared trucking as an industry, which was the long-standing demand of stakeholders. This would facilitate truck fleet operators to obtain loans from commercial banks at competitive rates and will encourage the sector to organise itself and to attract much-needed investment.
Motor vehicle environment (MVE) and regular fitness testing have been acknowledged as essential components of modernisation, and the need of their revamping has been realised. Establishing modern institutions for training and retraining of truck drivers has also been taken up in the policy along with the establishment of modern trans-freight stations and industrial estate for truck/bus body makers.
Trucking policy documents bring together the work done by Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives and Engineering Development Board (EDB) along with its consulting and supporting partners like the World Bank, various Ministries, provincial governments, fleet operators and transport associations.
Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives Salman Taseer, highlighted the importance of logistics competitiveness to attract investment, exploit the potential of the regional supply hub and to save high wastages on account of cross-sectoral deficiencies, in his message published in the document.
The 118-page document has nine chapters titled introduction, tariff rationalization for trucking sector, industry status for trucking sector, motor vehicle registration system (MVRS), Central Data Repository (CDR) and its role in the integrated environment, motor vehicle examination (MVE) and vehicle fitness, trans freight stations (TFS), drivers licensing/training and other components.