AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, June 03, 2013 (PPI-OT): Pakistan’s accession to the TIR (International Road Transport) Convention is yet to be taken however the decision in this regard is in the process of negotiations while a decision in this respect has not been taken yet.
It was communicated to the delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) led by its Vice President Naveed Jan Baloch during the course of the training held in Ankara, Turkey recently organized by the government of the Turkey in collaboration with the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
The FPCCI delegates were briefed comprehensively about the TIR Convention by representatives from Turkey’s Ministry of Customs and Trade, the Ministry of Transport, the customs authorities, the private sector, and the International Road Transport Union (IRU), Geneva about the implications for Pakistan of acceding to the TIR Convention. It may be mentioned that Pakistan has been engaged.
The TIR Convention is a multilateral treaty that would enable an international customs transit system, linking Asia to Europe through the road route. The TIR Convention has already been signed by 68 member states (including the European Union), and is being used by these countries to conduct international road transport operations successfully.
FPCCI delegation was informed that acceding to the TIR Convention may help boost export opportunities for Pakistan to Turkey and Europe significantly, because under the rules of the Convention, Pakistani trucks would be able to carry consignments all the way to Europe in a safe, efficient and timely manner.
It may be noted that there is no direct shipping service between Pakistan and Turkey due to which shipping a container from Karachi to Istanbul currently takes around 40 days. By road, a container could potentially reach Istanbul from Islamabad within 15 days.
If Pakistan accedes to the TIR Convention, there will be infrastructure development along the route, which passes through underdeveloped parts of the country. The associated industries of tourism, hotelling and hospitality will also thrive gradually, as traffic along the route increases.
The local transporters industry will also benefit, as more (and better) trucks conforming to EU standards will be needed to transport Pakistani goods to Turkey, and onwards to Europe. This may also lead to the possibility of signing joint ventures with international transport companies, which would be a welcome development.
For more information, contact:
Syed Masood Alam Rizvi
Secretary General
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI)
B-1, Federation House, Main Clifton Road,
Shahra-e-Firdousi,
Karachi-75600, Pakistan
Tel: 0092-21-35873691, 93-94
Fax: +9221 3587 4332
Email: info@fpcci.com.pk
URL: www.fpcci.com.pk