BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23
By Fidan Babayeva - Trend:
The Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association has issued over 400 TIR carnets (documents issued pursuant to Transport International Routier - International Road Transport) since early 2020, a source in the association told Trend.
During 2019, the association issued over 1,800 TIR carnets.
The source emphasized that a decrease in international traffic is expected by the end of the current year, taking into account the current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2020, we plan to set up a training center operating at the association to train qualified professional drivers and managers,” said the source talking about future plans.
"It’s difficult for private transport companies to purchase vehicles they need for $200,000. This requires the improvement of the leasing and tax systems in the country,” the association’s representative added.
TIR is a preferential system used to facilitate the work of carriers. The TIR carnets allow carriers to freely pass through all transit countries; a seal is placed on the car once, and during crossing countries, the customs authorities only monitor the integrity of the seal and the number on it indicated on the TIR carnet.
Currently, about 50 shipping companies are registered in the Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association. Over 20 years, the association has issued over 30,000 TIR carnets.
In 1998, a total of 600 TIR carnets of this type were issued. At that time, the association included three members admitted to the TIR system, and last year their number reached 45.
Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association was established in May 1993. It is a non-commercial organization uniting Azerbaijani individuals and legal entities engaged in international transportation by truck. The association serves to represent and protect the interests of its members before national and competent authorities within the tasks assigned to it.
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