Speeches: Paul Laeremans, IRU President

"The IRU message for emerging markets is that to allow trade and those economies to flourish, those who will carry that trade will need more roads, better border crossing infrastructure, reliable vehicles in sufficient quantities, a professional trade and transport work force and, finally, the harmonisation and facilitation of transport conditions."

(click on photo to enlarge)

by Paul Laeremans
IRU President

Your Excellencies, Ministers, Members, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends,

I am sure many of you still recall the extraordinary moments of the 1^st IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference held in Irkutsk, the heart of Siberia, two years ago. The events of September 11^th on the other side of the world at that time marked us all, but in particular confirmed the need for us to better understand one another, and build on our commonalities rather than differences. This is the strength of road transport. It unites mankind and better distributes wealth. It is why we are all here today. While we will certainly face some challenges, we can already see the economic and social opportunities of 'working together for a better future'.

This conference will aim to identify both the challenges and opportunities in developing trade and road transport along the Silk Road. Where better to hold this major event than here in Iran, which is a key land-transit country between the Middle-East and Central Asia on the one hand, and the Indian sub-Continent and Europe on the other hand.

The strength of the IRU is its global network of members who can act as one to give the required impetus and support to ensure the further development of trade and road transport in Asia.

In Iran, we are proud to have as members the ICCIM under the leadership of Mr. Khamoushi, and to co-operate very closely with the Ministry of Roads and Transportation under the leadership of Mr Khorram and Mr Khansari, and the International Transport Carriers Association under the leadership of Mr. Mir Mohammad Ali. Thanks to you all for your very kind invitation, generous hospitality and much appreciated great efforts to make this Conference yet another successful IRU event.

The needs of road transport to be able to meet economic demand are rather simple. We need reliable and good quality heavy goods vehicles, a safe and effective road network, hard working and well trained professional drivers and finally favourable institutional and regulatory conditions set by international organisations and national Governments.

Vehicles and roads are so called hardware elements and sufficient private capital and state budget resources should be made available to ensure that economic development cannot only be achieved, but that it is part the broader goal of achieving the economic, social and environmental goals of sustainable development.

This is an important hurdle to overcome, in particular in the initial phase of development.

The so called software elements are not less complicated to ensure though they are less capital intensive. Well-trained, reliable drivers and other transport workers and managers, customs officers and policemen represent a high value, without which neither good vehicles nor quality roads can yield the benefits expected from them. Therefore, investment in the human factor and institutions as well as favourable trade and transport regulations are equally a necessary commitment which must be made to permit sustainable growth.

In short, the IRU message for emerging markets is that to allow trade and those economies to flourish, those who will carry that trade will need more roads, better border crossing infrastructure, reliable vehicles in sufficient quantities, a professional trade and transport work force and, finally, the harmonisation and facilitation of transport conditions.

Most of the issues I have tackled in this short introduction will be reviewed more extensively in the coming two days. I wish you all a most fruitful Conference, and encourage you all to participate actively in the deliberations with your questions and observations.

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