BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is gearing up to establish an integrated logistics company for speedier and hassle-free transportation of goods across the six Gulf states. The company is expected to start operating from the third quarter of 2014, a senior official of the GCC Transport Committee announced here yesterday.
Once in operation, the company is expected to facilitate boosting trade among the GCC states as it aims to make logistics services more cost effective and efficient.
“There is a serious discussion going on among the GCC members to create an integrated logistics company which will take care of all kinds of logistics and transportation related services,” said Ali bin Abdulatif Al Misnad (pictured), Vice President of the GCC Transport Committee.
Al Misnad, also the Board member and Honorary Treasurer of Qatar Chamber, was talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the Qatar International Exhibition for Transport and Logistics (Trans4) which ends today at the Doha Exhibition Centre.
Initially, the company will provide all kinds of logistics-related services for road transport such as customs clearance, visa issuance, insurance of vehicles and goods. But once the GCC freight and passenger rail corridor becomes operational, the company may expand its services and operations.
Asked about the current status of the company, he said: “It is in the pre-feasibility study stage, but all the member states have expressed keen interest, and I am confident that it will start operating from the third quarter of next year.” He said that the company will be established on a PPP model (public-private partnership) with sub-division offices in all GCC states.
“Currently there is no existence of such companies in the region providing all kinds of logistics services for the hassle free movement of goods and services. The initiative is being looked at as a big step as it is expected to change the face of logistics and the transportation sector of the region significantly,” Al Misnad said. He said that all the member countries will have equal share and participation in the commercial entity.
“Once the company starts its operation it will save a lot of time. Truck drivers, helpers and others involved in road transpiration will not have to worry for customs clearance and other related issues. All the paperwork will be ready for them, and they will just need to drive.
:The waiting time for truckers with return loads will be reduced significantly,” said Al Misnad, who is also the Chairman of Doha-based Al Baida Group, the organiser of the second edition of Trans4.
The Peninsula
