NLC facilitates trade route to Tajikistan

Successful transport of potato consignment signals regional trade expansion

ISLAMABAD:

The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) has achieved another major milestone in enhancing the country’s regional trade with the Central Asian state of Tajikistan by successfully transporting a Pakistani potato export consignment to Dushanbe. The NLC has effectively expanded its trade access with another key Central Asian country, with a convoy of NLC trucks reaching the Tajik capital of Dushanbe after covering more than 1,400 kilometers (km), according to an official source.

The trucks of the National Logistics Cell completed the journey from Okara and Rahim Yar Khan to Dushanbe in just seven days. A special ceremony was held at Dushanbe Customs Terminal One to mark the arrival of the inaugural convoy under the International Road Transport agreement.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by notable personalities, including Tajik Minister of Transport Azim Ibrahim, Director-General of NLC Farrukh Shehzad Rao, Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Saeed Sarwar, Customs Department officials, and prominent Tajik businessmen.

Addressing the ceremony, Tajikistan’s Minister of Transport commended the official launch of ground transportation by Pakistan’s leading logistics organisation. He remarked, “This initiative marks an important milestone in bilateral trade relations between the two countries.” Expressing confidence, the Tajik minister appreciated Pakistan’s role as an important trade partner in the region. He assured unwavering support to further facilitate the smooth movement of Pakistani trucks to Tajikistan.

The Director-General of NLC emphasised the importance of Tajikistan in trade through NLC and thanked the Tajik government for its support in facilitating the movement of the NLC convoy. He underscored the promotion of mutual trade and stated, “Trade through NLC under the TIR (International Road Transport) system will facilitate timely and efficient import and export for both countries.”

Major General Farrukh Shehzad Rao highlighted the pivotal role of NLC in establishing regional linkages, referring to the extensive operations of NLC spread across 10 countries in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2024.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.