The Ministries of Transport of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China have joined forces to assess regular TIR transits along a key Central Asian trade corridor according to the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
A caravan of six commercial vehicles – two from each nation involved – set off last week from Termez, Uzbekistan, heading for transit through Tajikistan and on to the final destination of Kashgar, China.
“With China starting TIR transits in 2018, there are significant growth opportunities for road transport in the region as customs arrangements with neighbouring countries become easier and more efficient,” IRU said in a statement. “Given the position of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China along the Silk Road, continued development along these ancient trade routes will result in a boost to global trade.”
The caravan, according to IRU, represents an important step in testing the capability of transports across multiple borders in the region – it will allow the Ministries of Transport involved to test the overall efficiency and performance of transits along the corridor, and assess how current border processes and infrastructure will work with TIR.
In related news, the IRU recently called on Caspian nations to improve trade routes.
(Image: Tajikistan.)