First ECO/IRU TIR Workshop
Kabul, 19-20 May 2010
Session III: Benefits and Opportunities for Afghan
Trade and Transport Industry
TIR as a partner for economic development,
progress and prosperity in Afghanistan
Sham Bathija
Senior Inter-Regional Adviser
Afghanistan is not a road transport landlocked
but a possible land-bridged regional Hub
 Afghanistan was 1st Contracting Party to the TIR
Convention in region and joined in 1983 – Mubarak for
forward and futuristic thinking then…..and today….;
 Again Mubarak for re-activating your commitments to
introduce efficiency in trade and transport industry and
become the 9th ECO Member State to re-join TIR
operations in the region.
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© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2010
Six trade and energy corridors and border crossings
with 4 being TIR Contracting Parties*
 China:
Darr-e-Wakhan
 Iran:*
Islam Qalat and Zaranj
 Pakistan:
Towr Kham and Spin Boldak
 Tajikistan:*
Ai Khanem and Shir Khan Bandar
 Turkmenistan*:
Aquina and Towraghondi
 Uzbekistan*:
Heratan
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Opportunity to improve trade and access
global road transport facilitation through TIR
 Facilitate and generate economic growth and expand trade
opportunities;
 Attract foreign direct investment;
 Benefit from greater regional and global trade links and export-oriented
business opportunities at national level;
 Enhanced connectivity through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).
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Re-activating TIR Operations for
Afghanistan could …
 Connect to global markets through the best multilateral facilitation
instrument in international transport industry – TIR;
 Lead to being a land-bridged country for the entire Central, South and
West Asia regions - cornerstone of Afghan Trade, Transit and
Transport Policies goal;
 Contribute to strengthened Regional Cooperation with its neighbours
and beyond;
 Lead to sea access;
 Expand foreign trade operations significantly, for commodities and
products in particular, perishable commodities such as fruit and
vegetables especially 34 kinds of raisins, carpets to name but a few of
the key products – essential for agricultural produce;
 Create safety and security in the region in the movement of goods;
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Re-activating TIR Operations for
Afghanistan could …
 TIR ensures increased Customs revenue - peace of mind for the Afghan
Customs Authority;
 Afghan institutions in private sector could use their limited capital
efficiently;
 Result in increased exports of fruit and vegetables to the markets of the
Gulf states, and beyond….
 Benefit from bi-lateral transport resulting in increased local trade;
 Benefit from Afghan ASYCUDA/TIR links of modern computerized
technology in the region and ,very importantly
 Benefit from the Iran/ECO’s offer of the use of the Chabahar Port on
special terms and conditions for an increased use of TIR in region.
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© International Road Transport Union (IRU) 2010
TIR contributes to structure the Road
Transport Industry including:
• Well-developed, planned and organised Road Transport
/ Trucking Industry;
• Stronger Public and Private sectors negotiating capacity
in the Region;
• Develop and create Transit / Transport corridors and
hubs - opportunities for the private transport sector;
• Develop and create containerization depots and hubs for
the entire region.
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TIR creates value and trade
efficiency …
 Reduced costs to importers and exporters for business
activities;
 More prosperity through increased revenue for the
operators of the road transport industry and enterprises;
 Harmonized control and transaction procedures for Afghan
Road transport operators at Border Crossings at Tour
Kham; Spin Bouldak; Hairatan; Tour Ghondi, Islam Quala
and Zaranj and hopefully one day at the Wakhan corridor
with China ...
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Creat more jobs…..
 Road transport could generate a significant number of jobs;
 Build sector capacitiy through professional training and
exchanges;
 Attracting foreign direct investment in this sector bringing
with it all inter-linked opportunities;
 Save perishable products from decaying in farms but to
export them to regional and global markets – increased
export revenue for much needed national development
projects and programmes – a desired goal for any
developing country in particular, Afghanistan.
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Targets to aim for :Conclusion
 Road transport links all transport modes;
 Facilitates Afghanistan’s trade and transport links
within the region and globally;
 Generate growth, efficiency in trade operations by
re-activating TIR Operations –
Make the Best Use of it…
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Tashakurat we Mananna
Thank You et Merci
Sham Bathija
Senior Inter-Regional Adviser
IRU Secretariat General
CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland
[email protected]
+4122-918-2020 ( Office)
+41-(0)79-610-9013 ( Mobile)
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