Latest news with #MinistryofTransportandLogistics
Maroc
4 days ago
- Business
- Maroc
UN Conference on LLDCs: Official Pleads for Integrated Transport Corridors to Promote Connectivity
Overcoming geographical isolation of landlocked developing countries starts with large-scale investment in integrated, multimodal transport corridors, Adil Bahi, Director of Transport Strategy, Management, and Coordination at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics said on Thursday in Awaza, Turkmenistan. Speaking at a round table organized as part of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), Bahi stressed that major investment for this purpose should concern integrated transport corridors combining roads, railways, dry ports, and logistics platforms. To bridge the connectivity gap in LLDCs, Bahi advocated accelerating the development of multimodal infrastructure. The official also emphasized the importance of innovation and financing, noting that the latter remains a major obstacle. He thus called for better integration of transport projects into climate financing mechanisms, particularly those supporting rail infrastructure, multimodal logistics, and low-emission freight corridors. Highlighting the significance of the Royal Initiative to facilitate access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, which will help these countries benefit from Moroccan infrastructure, Bahi reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to working hand in hand with LLDCs and all partners to transform geographical constraints into corridors of opportunity based on solid infrastructure, an ambitious vision, and shared prosperity. In terms of institutional and technical capacity-building, the Moroccan official conveyed the Kingdom's willingness to support skill development efforts, particularly through its engineering, logistics, and training institutions, in favor of LLDCs willing to develop and manage cross-border transport systems. With regard to the digitization of border procedures and logistic chains, Bahi spotlighted Morocco's significant investments in port community systems and digital freight traceability, calling for harmonizing technical standards and joint corridor governance. The Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held on August 5-8, aims to rethink the development path of these landlocked countries. It provides a platform for exchange between high-level delegations, international officials, investors, and organizations to discuss, in particular, devising strategies to fully integrate the specific challenges of these countries into global policies, investment plans, and perspectives related to the sustainable development agenda. The first edition was held in August 2003 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, while the second took place in November 2014 in Vienna, Austria. (MAP: 07 August 2025)
Maroc
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Maroc
Morocco Allows Use of International License Plate Format for Domestic Road Use
Morocco's Ministry of Transport and Logistics said it will now allow vehicles to use license plates conforming to international standards within the national territory. The decision applies to plates defined in Annex No. 13 of the decree on vehicle and trailer registration, the ministry said in a press release issued Thursday. The move follows a June 21 reminder to citizens planning to travel abroad with their vehicles to comply with Article 28 of Order No. 2711.10, dated September 29, 2010, governing vehicle registration, as amended. The ministry cited growing concerns over discrepancies between the license plate formats required for international travel and those used nationally. The change is aimed at easing mobility, aligning with citizens' needs, and preventing penalties faced by Moroccan drivers abroad, particularly in Europe, where stricter requirements apply. MAP: 10 July 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Unlocking Pakistan's Logistics Potential on National Logistics Day
TEXT: As we mark National Logistics Day, it is time to reflect on the backbone of Pakistan's economy — the logistics and transportation sector — and to chart a path forward. Currently, this sector contributes over 12% of GDP and employs 6% of the country's workforce, handling 98% of Pakistan's transportation needs. Yet, despite its significance, Pakistan's road logistics sector is mired in inefficiency, underinvestment, and outdated governance frameworks. The latest Pakistan Business Council (PBC) report 'Pakistan Road Logistics, Challenges, Opportunities and Policy Response'-2025 paints a sobering picture: Pakistan's Logistics Performance Index (LPI) has dropped from 2.42 in 2018 to 2.3 in 2025, ranking far behind regional countries India (rank 44), Iran (100), and Bangladesh (64). The above report echoes the same policy recommendations as detailed in this article in its 'Prioritized Recommendations'. The lack of an integrated national transport policy and a dedicated Ministry of Transport and Logistics has hampered coordinated action. Responsibilities are fragmented across federal, provincial, and quasi-government entities, leading to poor planning and execution. This structural weakness allows informal operators, backed by politically influential sectors to evade regulations — further distorting the market and discouraging formal players. In the PBC Report: 'Dedicated Ministry or Focal Authority for the Logistics Sector: It is important to realize that logistics is an interconnected sector, and one mode is not independent of the other. Therefore, a focused approach is required to help the sector grow. One glaring issue is the non-implementation of Axle Load regulations. Overloading is a major cause of premature road infrastructure failure and road accidents. The World Bank estimates that road accidents cost Pakistan 4.5% of GDP, equivalent to $12.5 billion annually. Strict enforcement of Axle Load laws, including vehicle impoundment and cargo seizure for violations, is essential to safeguard both infrastructure and lives. In the PBC Report: 'Axle Load Enforcement: 1) Strengthen Regulations: Enforce axle load limits uniformly across all regions to minimize road damage and extend infrastructure lifespan. 2) Monitoring and Penalties: Implement weighbridges equipped with automated systems for accurate load monitoring and impose strict penalties for violations'. Despite the best intentions, investments in Pakistan's motorways have largely failed to deliver their intended economic benefits. Many motorways built under BOT arrangements either prohibit overloaded trucks—to protect the infrastructure for which investors are liable—or allow such vehicles, resulting in severe damage and escalating repair costs (major maintenance now required in the second year, instead of the seventh). The motorway network has thus become a white elephant, unable to service its debts or justify the public and private investments made. Motorways cannot be financially viable on passenger traffic alone. Their full commercial and economic potential depends on carrying freight traffic. Yet freight operators avoid these roads, preferring to run overloaded on national highways where axle load limits are not enforced—causing massive damage to both highway infrastructure and the public exchequer. Another pressing need is the modernization of Pakistan's trucking fleet. With only 300,649 registered trucks — compared to India's 12.5 million — the sector suffers from outdated, fuel-inefficient vehicles that raise costs, emissions, and road safety risks. The PBC recommends developing green financing tools to support fleet renewal with Euro-5 compliant and electric vehicles, a move that would also align with emerging global climate regulations like the EU Green Deal. In the Pakistan Business Council Report: 'Fleet Modernization and Financing: Expand Access to Credit: Develop low-interest loan schemes and financial products tailored to small and medium-sized operators, enabling them to upgrade their fleets'. The logistics firms are under immense pressure of excessive rate of taxes, the federal government's recent decision in the 2025-2026 budget to increase the withholding tax on logistics services from 4% to 6%. The 6% on revenue translates to more that 50% of the thin profit margin in this sector. Normal tax rate for companies is about 29% of the profit in Pakistan for other businesses. Even 4% was excessive than 29%. This decision, if implemented, will deal a devastating blow to the service sector — particularly to an already struggling goods transport industry that plays a critical role in Pakistan's economy. This increase will push small and medium-sized transporters out of the formal tax net in a desperate attempt to keep their businesses afloat. This will inevitably undermining both government revenue collection and the rule of law. Roadside security is another concern. Roadside robberies and thefts pose serious risks, particularly in key bottleneck areas. The government must step up security patrols and protect the lifelines of our economy. The path forward is clear: • Enforce Axle Load limits strictly • Provide targeted green financing for fleet upgrades • Establish a unified Ministry of Transport and Logistics to drive reforms • Set a supporting Rate of Tax to logistics, similar to other businesses and industries. By tackling these issues with urgency, Pakistan can transform its logistics sector into a regional powerhouse — supporting exports, creating jobs, and enhancing national competitiveness. On this National Logistics Day, let us commit to unlocking the sector's full potential. RanaAsimShakoor Chairman, FOAP Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi: Hail airport set for expansion to accommodate 2.2mln passengers a year
HAIL — The Ministry of Transport and Logistics is working to expand Hail International Airport with increasing its capacity to more than 2.2 million passengers annually. This is part of a comprehensive development project aimed at developing air transport infrastructure in the northern part of Saudi Arabia and enhancing the efficiency of vital facilities in the region. This was revealed by Director General of the General Administration of Privatization at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saud Al-Arifi while attending a dialogue session titled "Investment opportunities in the transport and logistics sector" at the Hail Forum. He said that the project represents a key pillar of the ministry's plan to transform Hail into an integrated logistics center. Al-Arifi said that the ministry, in cooperation with the Hail Region Development Authority, is also working on a massive logistics center project spanning an area exceeding 374,000 square meters. This project aims to serve supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods between various Saudi regions, he said. Work is underway on a roadside services development project to provide integrated facilities that meet the needs of travelers and support the safety and efficiency of regional roads. These projects are in line with Hail's geographical position as a central hub connecting the north, center, and west, enhancing its ability to play a pivotal role in the future of transportation and logistics services in the Kingdom. It is noteworthy that Hail International Airport is only 60 minutes away from 11 Arab capitals and 200 minutes away from Central Europe. This is a geographical advantage that has qualified the airport as a major hub for logistics services. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Saudi Gazette
19-05-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Hail airport set for expansion to accommodate 2.2 million passengers a year
Saudi Gazette report HAIL — The Ministry of Transport and Logistics is working to expand Hail International Airport with increasing its capacity to more than 2.2 million passengers annually. This is part of a comprehensive development project aimed at developing air transport infrastructure in the northern part of Saudi Arabia and enhancing the efficiency of vital facilities in the region. This was revealed by Director General of the General Administration of Privatization at the Ministry of Transport and Logistics Eng. Saud Al-Arifi while attending a dialogue session titled "Investment opportunities in the transport and logistics sector" at the Hail Forum. He said that the project represents a key pillar of the ministry's plan to transform Hail into an integrated logistics center. Al-Arifi said that the ministry, in cooperation with the Hail Region Development Authority, is also working on a massive logistics center project spanning an area exceeding 374,000 square meters. This project aims to serve supply chains and facilitate the movement of goods between various Saudi regions, he said. Work is underway on a roadside services development project to provide integrated facilities that meet the needs of travelers and support the safety and efficiency of regional roads. These projects are in line with Hail's geographical position as a central hub connecting the north, center, and west, enhancing its ability to play a pivotal role in the future of transportation and logistics services in the Kingdom. It is noteworthy that Hail International Airport is only 60 minutes away from 11 Arab capitals and 200 minutes away from Central Europe. This is a geographical advantage that has qualified the airport as a major hub for logistics services.
