Meeting Discusses Opening Of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Transit Trade Route

Islamabad, April 18, IRNA – The first meeting of Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Road Corridor project has been held under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications and discussed opening up of transit trade route between the three countries. Meeting on Transport and Communications at Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, in June 2011 had agreed to establish two road transport corridors in the ECO region, one between Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul and the other among Iran-Turkmenistan-Tajikistan-Kyrgyz Republic. The meeting discussed the official border crossings and routes, mutually agreed transit system, permit issues, vehicle weight, dimensions and other specifications, customs clearance/working hours at the border points and ways and means for facilitation of visa for drivers. The meeting also discussed the Transport International Rotier (TIR), which allows the free movement of drivers in the member countries and provides guarantees to the host country. Pakistan has not yet acceded to the TIR and it is under consideration by the government. Akbar Khodai Iran’s senior advisor to ECO from ministry of foreign affairs talking to IRNA said the meeting will continue for four days. He said the conference has been organized by the ECO Secretariat in Tehran. He said that two Iranian officials including himself and Mr. Mohammad Reza Karbasi, Secretary General of ECO Chamber of Commerce and four members from private sector are representing the Iranian delegation. Khodai giving details of the meeting said this is the first meeting of Islamabad, Tehran and Istanbul road transport corridor and the member states are trying to devise a mechanism to improve the corridor. “We want all agreements to be implemented, we will be trying to build software and hardware infrastructure of the corridor,” he maintained. He said that Iran Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Tehran Chamber of Commerce and Industry are taking part in the meeting. Mr Khodai said for the next four days Transport Transit Coordination Council will deliberate on the issues of road infrastructure, road safety and insurance related issues and improving the transit trade of the corridor. Earlier, while inaugurating the session, Federal Secretary for Communications Anwar Ahmed Khan said that National Highway Authority, Ministry of Communications is executing around 100 projects with an over-stretched portfolio of $7,000 million to achieve this ambitious goal. The purpose is to provide linkages with neighboring countries to give boost to bilateral relations and enhance trade. Presence of delegates from Turkey and Iran, in the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Road Corridor meeting, shows the commitment of the member states to implement this project within the shortest possible time, he said. We shall take great inspiration from the successful launch of the Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul cargo train and certainly, this gathering raises hope that fulfilling of our common objective is not very far and I assure you on behalf of the government of Pakistan, of our complete cooperation, he added. Khan said 'This event will provide us with an opportunity to further cement our historical, cultural and trade ties and to interact and share views on various aspects of transport and commerce. Nevertheless, it would undoubtedly help us promote inter regional integration and identify and overcome the shortcomings.' The federal secretary said that establishment of road corridor will greatly facilitate implementation of Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA) - an agreement signed a decade ago to facilitate trade and transport among the 10-member Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). ECO Deputy Secretary General Altaf Asghar while speaking on the occasion said that development of trade corridor is an important component of modern world development strategy and ECO countries also recognise its importance. International financial institutions like Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank are also investing in development of the trade corridors. We should also take advantage of their investments, he added. Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul Cargo Train has given impetus to the trade corridor, he said./end