Trade with Afghanistan, CARs: Umar asks NLB to cash in on current opportunities

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Asad Umar has directed the National Logistics Board (NLB) to focus on taking advantage from the increased opportunities offered by regional connectivity and to provide logistics services for trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.

The 64th meeting of the NLB was held under the chairmanship of Asad Umar here in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Lieutenant General Aamir Abbasi, Quartermaster General Pakistan Army/Officer In-charge National Logistics Cell (NLC), Director General (DG) National Logistics Cell (NLC) Major General Yusuf Jamal, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary Planning, Secretary Maritime Affairs, and others attended the meeting.

The DG NLC briefed the participants about the operational, administrative, and financial matters of the organisation with special reference to the accomplished tasks and development plans of the NLC including upgradation of fleet.

The forum was apprised about progress made on decisions taken during the last NLB meeting.

The board was informed that the size of the fleet was 457 vehicles in 2018-19 that has been increased to 900 vehicles by December 2020-19.

The said fleet built up is in line with the directions of the board to focus on the core logistics business expansion which has shown a strong growth of revenue and profits.

It was informed that the NLC has become first logistics organisation that looks imitative of commercial regional trade.

By end of September, the NLC convoy with Pakistani goods will be moving to Turkey and Azerbaijan via Iran.

Asad Umar appreciated regional commercial trade under TIR to Turkey and Azerbaijan and directed the NLC management to extend road freight linkages to other CARs as well.

He also emphasised the importance of exploring opportunities in rail freight too. The minister appreciated the performance of the NLC and its valuable contribution in the nation building efforts and timely completion of the projects, and hoped that the NLC would continue to play its role in boosting economic activities in the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021