EDB releases Trucking Policy document
By Asad Cheema

ISLAMABAD—Engineering Development Board (EDB) here on Wednesday released Trucking Policy document to reform and modernize the trucking sector for improving its trade and logistic efficiencies. The 118-page document has been jointly prepared by the Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives and EDB in collaboration with its consulting and supporting partners including World Bank, ministries, provincial governments, fleet operators and transport associations.
The document has addressed many issues including 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 and training.
Modernization of the trucking sector is the part of National Trade Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP) of the government.
Its aim is to reform and promote an integrated and sustainable modernization of the trucking sector for improving the trade and logistic efficiencies and reducing the cost to the economy through efficient management of the road freight sector.
The government has accepted the long standing demand of the stakeholders of this sector to declare trucking as industry, said EDB press statement.
Moreover, revamping of motor vehicle registration system (MVRS) and creation of a Central Data Repository (CDR) would bring consolidation and integration of MVRS operating in provinces.
Motor Vehicle Environment (MVE) and regular fitness testing have been acknowledged as an essential component of the modernization and need of its revamping has been realized.
Establishing modern driving training institutions for training and retraining of the truck drivers has also been taken up in the policy along with establishment of modern trans freight stations and industrial estate for truck and bus body makers.
Commenting on the document, Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives, Salman Taseer said that logistics competitiveness was a must to attract investment.
He said that the logistics were essential tools to exploit the potential of regional supply hub and save high wastage on account of cross-sectoral deficiencies.