ISLAMABAD, Nov 20: A high-level meeting chaired by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz was informed here on Tuesday that the National Logistic Cell (NLC) has earned a profit of Rs93.699 million in 2000-01.

The minister was presiding over 35th meeting of the NLC Board which also approved a projected surplus budget of Rs4,467.461 million for the year 2001-2002 with an expenditure outlay of Rs2,883.438 million.

According to an announcement made after the meeting the expected surplus would be around Rs1,584.053 million. It may be noted that under transport head alone, the revenue target of NLC increased from Rs1,711.020 in 1999-2000 to Rs2,232.871 million in 2000-01. To upgrade its technical expertise the NLC invested an amount of Rs216 million, an increase of Rs38.91 per cent over the last year.

The Board also reviewed the audit and accounts of the year 2000-01 and expressed its satisfaction over the financial management of NLC.

To increase operational capability, the Board approved purchase of 100 local assembled heavy vehicles from the lowest bidder.

The finance minister expressed satisfaction that NLC was actively promoting local automobile industry which would in turn result in huge savings of foreign exchange. The minister said that the NLC is playing an important role in the economy by constructing a network of road and shipping the goods all over the country.

Shaukat said that efficient transportation of merchandise within the minimum time from one place to another by NLC has ensured availability of consumer goods in abundance across the country and stabilization of their prices, especially during Ramazan.