BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 31. Trucks from Tajikistan have crossed the border with China for the first time after a three-year ban imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trend reports via Tajik media.
China has lifted entry restrictions imposed as part of the fight against COVID-19 since January 8 this year. Road cargo transportation between Tajikistan and China is carried out through the Kulma-Karokurum checkpoint.
China imposed a ban on entry for Tajik cars in 2020, because of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2020, Tajik trucks were not allowed to enter China, containers with goods were delivered to the border by Chinese transport, after which they were loaded on Tajik transport.
At the same time, during the acceptance and transfer of goods, Tajik consignees had to pay separately for the container, the real cost of which, according to Tajik suppliers, was overstated by more than 5 times.
Meanwhile, China is one of the three main trading partners of Tajikistan. According to the Tajik statistical agency, the trade turnover between Tajikistan and China amounted to more than $1.2 billion in 2022.