On 20 July, the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan launched a series of initiatives to implement the international digital ‘e-TIR’ system and prepare for the first freight shipments using it. This was reported by the press office of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.

As part of the programme, a technical seminar was held with the participation of representatives from the customs services of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as experts from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and UNCTAD. Participants discussed practical issues relating to the launch of the system and the conduct of the first pilot shipment along the ‘Azerbaijan–Turkmenistan–Uzbekistan’ route.

It was noted that Turkmenistan is among the first countries in the region to implement ‘e-TIR’ for international road transport, which contributes to the development of the country’s transit potential.

From 22 to 24 July, the first pilot shipments using the ‘e-TIR’ system and training events will take place at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, with the support of the UNECE and the International Road Transport Union (IRU).