Importance of the TIR System for ECO Member States

1. Importance of the TIR System for ECO Member States Karachi, 18 August 2014 • Adrian Albu, Senior Road Transport Expert

2. TIR in the ECO region

3. Number of TIR carnets issued to ECO Associations from 2004 to 06/2014 Total TIR Carnets issued to ECO Associations in 2004 – 2014 (till July) = 7,951,778 This represents25% of all Carnets issued in the world during the same period.

4. TIR Carnets used by ECO transport operatorsin 2013 - 2014 63% of Carnets issued to ECO Holderswereused for transport between ECO countries

5. TIR Carnets used by ECO transport operatorsin 2013 - 2014 29% of Carnets issued to ECO Holderswereused for transport to Europe

6. TIR Carnets used by ECO transport operatorsin 2013 - 2014 5% of Carnets issued to ECO Holderswereused for transport to the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan

7. TIR Carnets used by transport operators to ECO countries in 2013 - 2014 25% of all used TIR Carnets were used for transport to ECO countries

8. Statistics: conclusions 25% of all TIR Carnets were issued to ECO TIR Holders in 2013 (7730,170 out of 2,945,571) 27% - (305,579 out of 1,123,770 till July)in 2014 The greatest share of TIR Carnets issued to ECO TIR Holders is terminated in ECO Hence, importance of regional cooperation and focus on harmonisation

9. TIR expansion in ECO region: Afghanistan • Kabul, 4 September 2013 • Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) TIR operators from Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan

10. Regional developments: effect of accession of China to the TIR Convention Active work on ratification of TIR System • Expansion of TIR System to China • will have positive effect on international trade: • Road transport between China and ECO region, including trade routes between China and Pakistan • Influence on other countries of the region to join TIR • Development of intermodal TIR

11. Obstacles and difficulties to the development of International Road Transport in ECO • Specific: • Lack of harmonisation of Customs and border crossing regulations • Compulsory trans-shipment of goods at some borders • Bilateral trade and transport subject to Customs procedures at borders • Lack of awareness about the possibilities offered by the TIR System • Insufficient training of customs officers in streamlines procedures, including TIR procedures • Multimodal applicability: unknown • Unstable political and security situation • Of general nature: • Visa formalities • Lack of streamlined procedures to ensure safety and security • Border crossing infrastructure • Illegal actions by officials • Lack of bilateral or multilateral transport permits • Main obstacle to the TIR System in some ECO countries: • Bilateral transport based on CMR and national guarantees

12. Solutions for international road transport in ECO countries • Solutions to facilitate transport in ECO region: • Use of TIR Carnets • Ensure the functioning of TIR System in ALL ECO countries: Pakistan last country to accede to the TIR Convention • Minimum formalities at border • No guarantee to deposit for each movement • Benefit from internationally recognised guarantee • Benefit from IT TIR-related risk management tools • Green Lanes for transport with advance risk assessment performed (Green Lanes with TIR-EPD) • Regional cooperation, including training exchanges