Speeches: Ali Naghi Khamoushi, ICCIM President

"Welcome Speech"

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by Ali Naghi Khamoushi
ICCIM President

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to welcome you all to this International Conference. I would also like to seize this opportunity to express my gratitude to those who have made extensive efforts over the months for better organization of the Conference.

Hosting this well-attended and august conference is a good manifestation of the capabilities of governmental and non-governmental bodies and their partnership in organizing international conferences. We do hope that the distinguished participants who have come from across the globe avail themselves of their presence in Iran to become better acquainted with Iranian culture and values, leaving our country with enchanting memories.

The second international conference on Euro-Asian Road Transport in Tehran coincides with the drastic political and economic developments in the world. A couple of years ago and at the time of the first such conference in Russian Federation, the world witnessed the tragic event of September 11. In two years time, we are now experiencing the complicated developments in Iraq. This reflects the fact that trade makes its own way in the time of political ups and downs.

The regional conflicts around the world not only affect the volume of trade transactions but also increase the potential risks emanating therefrom. However, we have to pay attention to the fact that despite all practical obstacles, road transport has demonstrated a constant and dynamic presence as the economic stimulant in goods-related transport and trading.
The importance of the road transport, which is the main focus of this meeting, is quite clear to everybody. Iran has a long history of transport with global dimension. The first ever transport corridor in the world, namely the Silk Road was actually attributed to the Iranian trade-related arts and thoughts. The economists believe that reviving the Corridor, which was of significance at the time, can generate economic impacts and benefits for the adjacent countries.

The officials and key players in Europe, particularly in the European Union are well aware of the fact that road transport serves as a principal factor contributing to the economic development, job creation and GNP generation. Likewise, we in Iran have the same interpretation of the issue and are convinced that the neighboring countries in the region have also accorded due attention to it.

The biased policy-making by the western politicians have gravely mistreated the road transport industry in both goods and passengers tracks. These policies affect the overall situation of the world economy and inflict damages on the end-users.
According to the statistics published by the international research centers, trucks and buses account for a trivial share in pollution and accidents.

The fuel-related pollutants and the pollution arising from trucks' noise are considered as critical factors in the environmental discussions. However, they are not as critical as pollution generated by chemical industries, which pollute soil and depletes Ozone layer. The green truck initiative, which involves Euro 3,4, and 5 standards, has been in fact a well-planned measure to help western trucks manufacturers survive from a long run economic crisis. We, therefore, witnessed the re-operating of the stalled production lines while the production lines were sold to the Asian and Eastern European countries second-hand. These measures, inspired by the political motive, can only bring an economic leap for a specific and limited group in the international community while imposing immense economic damages on the human community as a whole.

The national and international organizations and all other relevant arrangements should collectively remove these discriminations.

As regards infrastructure sector, there has been considerable investment in reconstruction of road navigation by European and non-European countries. Although both public and private sectors have contributed to these investments, the competitiveness of road transport industry relies heavily on the support by the international banks and institutions. In comparison with other modes of transport, this industry provides more logistical and door-to-door services.

The reconstruction of the road transport industry in Iran has been ongoing for quite a while by Transport and Terminals Organization, affiliated to the Ministry of Road and Transport. This remarkable development has enabled us to remain competitive at the global level. It is worth mentioning that the banks' deficiencies as well as lack of interest on the part of the World Bank in infrastructural investment have loaded the trucks' owners with high financial burden.

As you know, new countries will join European Union as of May 2004. These countries should, inter alias, harmonize their own road transport laws and regulations with the EU standards. From the other side, the EU enlargement will affect SMEs competitiveness in Europe, leaving them no chance except merging together. Since these mergers represent an unprecedented move, the market response remains unclear. Therefor, the conclusion can be drawn that Asian and Central Asian countries constitute the main targets of the road transport. This, however, requires infrastructural reforms and reconstruction in all modes of transport, including rail, sea and air transport.

In conclusion, I would like to inform you that Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, which represents private sector, actively participates in different national and international gatherings, underlining the key elements of the economic development and requesting the policy-makers to review all aspects of the matter.

Once again I would like to express my gratitude to IRU and the members of the Iranian Joint Committee of Tehran Conference, including Transport and Terminals Organization, Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines and Iranian Association of International Transport Companies for their hard work in organizing this conference. I would also like to extend my thanks to Iran's auto industries for their support.

I hope the conference outcomes yield national and international impacts and improve the bilateral and multilateral relations.
I wish you all success and pleasant stay in Iran.

Thank you.

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