“A Regional Strategic Framework for the Development of Trade, Transit and International Road Transport Links across the Middle East and North Africa Region” “A Regional Strategic Framework for the Development of Trade, Transit and International Road Transport Links across the Middle East and North Africa Region” Dr. Mahmoud Abdallatt Secretary General Arab Union Of Land Transport Dr. Mahmoud Abdallatt Secretary General Arab Union Of Land Transport

1- What is AULT. 2- AULT’s Involvement in Arab Land Transport Agreements. 3- Strategic Partnership with IRU. 4- Role & Importance of Road Transport to Trade. 5- The Arab Trade and Land Transport. 6- Recommendations. 7- Conclusion. 1- What is AULT. 2- AULT’s Involvement in Arab Land Transport Agreements. 3- Strategic Partnership with IRU. 4- Role & Importance of Road Transport to Trade. 5- The Arab Trade and Land Transport. 6- Recommendations. 7- Conclusion. A Regional Strategic framework for the Development of Trade, Transit and International Road Transport Links across the Middle East and North Africa Region A Regional Strategic framework for the Development of Trade, Transit and International Road Transport Links across the Middle East and North Africa Region 1

What is AULT 1- Established in 1976 as a Pan- Arab Organization based in Amman – Jordan. 2- Prime objective to facilitate and develop road transport amongst Arab Countries. 3- “70” Members of “16” Arab Countries, about 60,000 vehicle, 1.25 Billion U.S $ in capital. 4- Observer Member : 1- Arab Ministers of Transport Council (LAS). 2- Arab Ministers of Tourism Council (LAS). 3- The Social & Economical Ministerial Council (LAS). 4- Arab Land Transport Technical Committee. 1- Established in 1976 as a Pan- Arab Organization based in Amman – Jordan. 2- Prime objective to facilitate and develop road transport amongst Arab Countries. 3- “70” Members of “16” Arab Countries, about 60,000 vehicle, 1.25 Billion U.S $ in capital. 4- Observer Member : 1- Arab Ministers of Transport Council (LAS). 2- Arab Ministers of Tourism Council (LAS). 3- The Social & Economical Ministerial Council (LAS). 4- Arab Land Transport Technical Committee. 2

AULT’s Involvement in Arab Land Transport Agreements 1- Drafted the Agreement of Carriage of Goods in Arab Countries.*(1) 2- Co-drafted the Agreement of Passengers Transport in Arab Countries.*(1) 3- Participated in preparing the Multi-Mode Transport Agreement in Arab Countries. *(1) 4- Liasoning between Decisions – Makers and Operators. 1- Drafted the Agreement of Carriage of Goods in Arab Countries.*(1) 2- Co-drafted the Agreement of Passengers Transport in Arab Countries.*(1) 3- Participated in preparing the Multi-Mode Transport Agreement in Arab Countries. *(1) 4- Liasoning between Decisions – Makers and Operators. (*1) All these Agreements have been approved within LAS and now are open for signature 3

Strategic Partnership with IRU 4 1- M.o.U in Geneva, Conferences and workshops on road transport. 3- Cooperation on training. 4- M.o.U in 2010 by which AULT is the Examining Authority of CPC & ADR courses. 5- M.o.U in 2011 to implement IDB Technical Grant. 1- M.o.U in Geneva, Conferences and workshops on road transport. 3- Cooperation on training. 4- M.o.U in 2010 by which AULT is the Examining Authority of CPC & ADR courses. 5- M.o.U in 2011 to implement IDB Technical Grant.

Role & Importance of Road Transport to Trade Road transport has the best accessibility. 2- The cheapest ton/km for short distance. 3- Little investments in infrastructure in comparison. 4- Carries about 80% to 100% of Arab bilateral trade. 1- Road transport has the best accessibility. 2- The cheapest ton/km for short distance. 3- Little investments in infrastructure in comparison. 4- Carries about 80% to 100% of Arab bilateral trade.

Arab Trade and Land Transport. ( Physical Barrier) Arab Trade and Land Transport. ( Physical Barrier) 1- Arab Transit Agreement as opposed to T.I.R. 2- About 30% of Journey time at the borders. 3- About 30% of total transport cost unjustified. 4- About 80% of final price of the goods is trans port cost as opposed to 20 – 30%. 5- Infrastructure of land transport in the Region. 6- Impact of so-called “ Arab Spring” on trade in the Region. 1- Arab Transit Agreement as opposed to T.I.R. 2- About 30% of Journey time at the borders. 3- About 30% of total transport cost unjustified. 4- About 80% of final price of the goods is trans port cost as opposed to 20 – 30%. 5- Infrastructure of land transport in the Region. 6- Impact of so-called “ Arab Spring” on trade in the Region. 6

Total Arab Trade (*) in billions of U.S.$ Total Arab Trade (*) in billions of U.S.$ 7 Growth Total Volume of Import Growth Total Volume of Export Year % % % % % % (% 14.4) (% 32) % % % % The year of the Global financial crises * Source: Arab Economical Annual Report (LAS) 2012

8 Share of Arab Bilateral Trade of the Total Trade (*) Share of Arab Bilateral Trade of the Total Trade (*) % 8.0% 10.7 % 8.9 % 8.6 Export % 12.3% 11.8% 11.3% 3.3% 12.1% 3.3 Import * Source: Arab Economical Annual Report (LAS) 2012

9 Growth Total Arab Total bilateral Trade In U.S.$ billions Year % % % (% 19.6) % % Growth of Bilateral Arab Trade (*) Growth of Bilateral Arab Trade (*) * Source: Arab Economical Annual Report (LAS) 2012 The year of the Global financial crises

Growth of Arab Bilateral Trade Compared to its Capital Small Total Trade (*) Growth of Arab Bilateral Trade Compared to its Capital Small Total Trade (*) * Source: Arab Economical Annual Report (LAS) 2012 The year of the Global financial crises Bilateral tradeTotal TradeYear % % % (% 19.5)- (32.2)2009 (*2) % %

Obstacles Hindering Road Transport & Arab Bilateral Trade Obstacles Hindering Road Transport & Arab Bilateral Trade A- The legal factors: 1- Diversity of road transport regulators. 2- Differences of laws and regulations ( axle-load). 3- Lack of transparencies. B- The Fiscal factors: 1- High taxes and fees. 2- Differences of fiscal policies and implementations. 3- Constant changes without notice. A- The operational factors: 1- Different roads standers. 2- long and hectic border procedures. A- The legal factors: 1- Diversity of road transport regulators. 2- Differences of laws and regulations ( axle-load). 3- Lack of transparencies. B- The Fiscal factors: 1- High taxes and fees. 2- Differences of fiscal policies and implementations. 3- Constant changes without notice. A- The operational factors: 1- Different roads standers. 2- long and hectic border procedures. 11

Major Recommendations Major Recommendations 1- Unification of laws and regulations. 2- Simplifying and minimizing taxes. 3- Facilitating borders crossing. 4- Increasing and improving training. 5- Improving road safety. 6- Joining international road transport agreements e.g: TIR, ADR, CMR….etc. 7-The Political will and Political influence. 1- Unification of laws and regulations. 2- Simplifying and minimizing taxes. 3- Facilitating borders crossing. 4- Increasing and improving training. 5- Improving road safety. 6- Joining international road transport agreements e.g: TIR, ADR, CMR….etc. 7-The Political will and Political influence. 12

Conclusion Conclusion - No trade without transport. - Trade growth and its final cost depends largely on the effectiveness of transport. - Any penalty imposed on road transport is an ever bigger penalty on the trade. - Value of any commodity at its factory is almost zero. - Investment in and development of transport has multiple effect. - Any goods used or consumed by you must have used road transport. - To develop Arab trade: adherence to International Road Transport agreements. - No trade without transport. - Trade growth and its final cost depends largely on the effectiveness of transport. - Any penalty imposed on road transport is an ever bigger penalty on the trade. - Value of any commodity at its factory is almost zero. - Investment in and development of transport has multiple effect. - Any goods used or consumed by you must have used road transport. - To develop Arab trade: adherence to International Road Transport agreements. 13

Thank You