NLC should formulate five-year business plan, says Ahsan Iqbal

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Planning, Development and Reform Prof Ahsan Iqbal today said, "National Logistic Cell (NLC) should formulate a five-year business plan by setting clear objectives of the organization for transforming it into a leading transportation company of the region. Pakistan is poised to become trade & commerce hub in the region, NLC should prepare to take advantage of future opportunities. NLC should identify mid-term to long term targets for enhancing the operational capability and efficiency of NLC for future trucking and logistic needs especially in the backdrop of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which would generate enormous opportunities in logistic sector. Ahsan Iqbal issued these directions while chairing 57th meeting of National Logistic Board (NLB) here at Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform.

The board also authorised NLC to hire a well-reputed management consultancy firm for formulation of five-year business plan. It also accorded approval to audit accounts of financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13. Minister stated, "NLC is playing important role in national development of the country should modernize its fleet for provision of efficient services". Minister said that NLC is the backbone of logistic sector in the country and should focus on its core business.. Ahsan Iqbal said that NLC should also align itself with the development portfolio of the country by anticipating the future requirement of the country in logistic sector. Minister noted that CPEC would create enormous opportunities in freight and logistics and NLC can benefit from these opportunities through improving its organizational capability. He directed the organization to explore transportation opportunities on western route of CPEC as well as at Gwadar, which is the key node of mega project. He said that CPEC along with CARC would make western route an important trade corridor for upcountry and Afghanistan. NLC should undertake the study to explore potential avenues on this corridor for its future growth. Minister also issued the directions for completion of National Logistic Framework and Trucking Policy at its earliest for brining improvement in the trucking and logistic sector of the country.