Turkic states' customs officials gather in Baku for simplified trade talks

Baku is hosting the 10th meeting of the heads of customs services from the member states of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

Representatives of customs services from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan are joined by delegates from the United Nations, the International Road Transport Union, as well as the customs services of Georgia and Hungary, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The primary focus of the meeting is the implementation of decisions made at the previous 9th meeting, alongside discussions on the creation of a simplified customs corridor, the development of the "Trans-Caspian Customs Transit Portal," and other relevant issues.

During the event, it is planned to sign the protocol of the X meeting, the technical conditions for data exchange between the customs administrations of the member states, as well as an action plan for the implementation of the e-TIR procedure in accordance with the TIR Convention (1975, Geneva).

Addressing the meeting, Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan, Shahin Baghirov, said that the simplified customs corridor will boost trade turnover between Turkic countries.

“Harmonization of customs procedures, optimization of transit routes, and deepening economic integration open new opportunities for realizing the economic potential of Turkic states and serve the goal of accelerating regional development. One of the significant projects is the simplified customs corridor, which has strategic importance for expanding trade, speeding up cargo transportation, and strengthening economic ties in the region,” he noted.

According to Baghirov, the project to simplify transit customs procedures along the international Trans-Caspian East-West Corridor through the application of the "single window" principle, proposed by the customs service, is an important step.

“This project will contribute to a more efficient and streamlined organization of trade processes, as well as achieving key goals such as increasing the logistical potential of the region,” he added.

By Khagan Isayev