IRU-BSEC-URTA-BSEC-TOBB Seminar on Computerization of TIR Procedures and Other Road Transport Related Documents

The Seminar on “Computerization of TIR Procedures and Other Transport Related Documents” was held in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey, on 15 June 2017. It was jointly organized by the Union of Road Transport Associations in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Region (BSEC-URTA), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Permanent International Secretariat of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC PERMIS) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).

The Seminar was attended by participants from the following IRU and BSEC-URTA Member Associations, Observers and Guests: ANALTIR(AL), ABADA(AZ), AEBTRI(BG), GIRCA(GE), OFAE(GR), AITA(MD), UNTRR(RO), AMERIT(FYROM), UND(TR), TOBB(TR), LVS(LT), ROSGOSSTRAKH(RU), AULT, BSEC and IRU.

BSEC-URTA President, Ms. Aslı Gözütok welcomed the participants and emphasized the role of the BSEC-URTA over the years in promoting the development of road transport in the BSEC Member States, with special reference to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Facilitation of Road Transport of Goods in the BSEC Region, with its main objectives to gradually liberalize the road goods transport market, simplify and harmonize custom procedures and documents, simplify and facilitate visa procedures for professional drivers.

 As a result of the Seminar participants made some conclusions and recommendations, namely:

•   The BSEC Member States are encouraged to allow the industry to go digital by ratifying the Additional e-CMR Protocol.
  
•   The BSEC Member States are encouraged to join the ongoing projects aiming at Computerization of TIR procedures, based on the successful conclusions of the Iran-Turkey Pilot project, and on the new MoU signed between UNECE and IRU.
•  Necessary synergies should be considered by the BSEC Member States to conduct the pilot projects related to the computerization of TIR procedures.
•   UNECE and Contracting Parties to the TIR Convention should intensify their efforts for further facilitation under this Convention.
  
•   Encouraged all the stakeholders to take tangible measures to implement the e-data exchange mechanism with the neighbouring states and potential regional partners for a more comprehensive risk analysis method and expeditious transport, to enhance the trade facilitation.
  
•  BSEC working groups related to customs matters, to trade facilitation and road transport to jointly work for implementation of the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Facilitation of the Road Transport of Goods in the BSEC Region.