Azerbaijan, Baku, August 5 /Trend, T.Jafarov, N.Ismayilova/
The Iranian Government has decided to put on agenda the project on economic development of checkpoint in Astara, the deputy head on programming of the transport and freight organization of Iran Kamran Rahimov told Iranian FARS news agency during inspection of the chackpoint in Astara.
"Today 24 border checkpoints operate in Iran, and Astara checkpoint is the most active in the entry - exit of passengers and cargo, said Rahimov. - Astara checkpoint is on the North-South transport corridor, and given its economic and strategic position, plays an important role for the country."
To support economic development, it needs to simplify the procedure of international cargo passing through the customs checkpoint, and reduce administrative procedures. The project on development of Astara customs checkpoint envisages developing international railway lines, launching trade and economic port, as well as developing the checkpoint.
Rahimov added that $70 million was allocated last year for the improvement of the checkpoint, and this year there is a similar amount. He said it would be appropriate to separate the transit cargo from the internal transportations in order to improve the customs checkpoint.
"It is envisaged to provide separate territories and special privileges for the transit trucks and goods," he said.
He added that the Astara customs checkpoint serves 4,000 people per day and a lorry every five minutes.
"For the three months of this year, the customs office was the third in the country for its border crossing activities," said Rahimov.