Digitalisation and eTIR are the future of trade facilitation. IRU’s Secretary General has urged customs authorities in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) region to accelerate adoption to unlock growth and greater efficiency across borders.
At the 10th Meeting of the ECO Council of the Heads of Customs Administration in Tehran, Iran, today, IRU put the emphasis on the implementation of eTIR and other digitalisation efforts to facilitate customs cooperation and promote intra-regional trade
The ECO region is a leading user of the TIR system, accounting for over 70% of TIR carnets issued globally.
A particularly promising development is the surge in TIR usage in Pakistan, which has grown by 200% so far this year compared to the same period last year. Leveraging TIR, Pakistan has activated new corridors linking South Asia with Central and West Asia, China and the Middle East.
Iraq has also officially started using the TIR system. While not part of the ECO region, it is a major trade and transit breakthrough for ECO countries, particularly Iran and Türkiye.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto, who opened the meeting alongside Seyed Rahmatollah Akrami, Iran's Acting Minister of Economy and Finance, and Alireza Rashidian, the Special Representative of the President at the Central Council on Combating Goods and Currency Smuggling, said, “Despite all the good progress, we still witness truck drivers being stranded at borders for days, even weeks, often without access to hygiene and sanitary facilities.”
“Congestion of trucks at borders is the antithesis of sustainable development,” he added.
To expedite border crossing procedures, risk assessment tools, such as TIR's advance cargo information system (TIR-EPD), can distinguish between high-risk and low-risk transports, alongside the establishment of TIR Green Lanes or Windows to enable secure TIR trucks to cross borders even more efficiently.
“We are pleased that all countries in Central Asia have established TIR-EPD Green Lanes or Windows,” said Umberto de Pretto. “We invite other ECO countries to follow suit.”
Digitalisation of transport and transit documents is another crucial step that cannot be overemphasised. While TIR ensures harmonisation and improves the efficiency and security of trade, eTIR extends these benefits even further, offering a major opportunity for the region.
“The business side is fully ready. B2C and B2B connections are secured by IRU’s TIR IT tools. Customs administrations now hold the key to work with UNECE and establish C2C connections,” said Umberto de Pretto.
In the ECO region, countries such as Azerbaijan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have already taken the required steps. However, eTIR implementation remains pending in several other countries. Without a fully operational eTIR corridor, the system cannot be effectively deployed in the region.
“I urge all ECO customs authorities to embrace this digital leap and drive eTIR implementation forward, creating eTIR economic cooperation corridors in line with the objectives of ECO,” said Umberto de Pretto. “Having worked closely with customs for many years, IRU stands ready to support your digitalisation efforts.”
Customs administrations can either fully integrate with eTIR or adopt the streamlined eTIR National Application.
