Different from other industrial sectors, "the logistics industry is closely related to various sectors and cannot survive independently," said Wang Ming, vice-director of the Transport Research Institute of the State Development Planning Committee.

The logistics forum was joint held by the Datian Logistics Research Centre affiliated with the University of International Business and Economics.

This interdependence of the logistics industry should be taken into consideration in the policies of many administrative departments such as customs, commerce, transport, railway, aviation, telecommunication and information may effect the development of the logistics industry.

The government should set up a new administrative system based on related policies issued by various departments, while the industrial association may act as a bridge between the government and the enterprises, according to the researcher.

Taking fierce competition in the international market and China's accession into the World Trade Organization into account, the government should take measures to not only create a sound environment for the progress of China's young logistics industry but also help it grow in line with market principles and sharpen its competitive edge to compete with international counterparts.

So far, four issues might be on the top agenda, which include modern logistics infrastructure construction in key cities, nurturing and expanding the market via promoting the communication between logistics enterprises and related business operators, building a complete and efficient logistics information network, as well as offering a series of policies to standardize the market, according to the the researcher.

At present, instead of a professional logistics association, there are several related industrial associations in China, including the China Transport and Communications Association, China Storage Association and China Logistics and Purchasing Association.

"However, they do not have active roles in the management and co-ordination of the logistics industry, which hinders the market-oriented development of the sector," said Liu Binglian, director of the Modern Logistics Research Institute at Nankai University.

Liu suggested that in order to prevent duplicated construction and strengthen the self-discipline of the industry, the central government may entrust related associations with responsibilities in corresponding fields of the logistics industry and in the meantime help the associations strengthen information exchange, business co-ordination and trans-sector cooperation.

(China Daily April 01, 2002)