Transportation Committee Meeting ECO CCI
November 20, 2011 Karachi- I R Pakistan
The third meeting of the ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry Transportation Committee, was held on November 20, 2011, in Karachi I. R. Pakistan hosted by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and industry (FPCCI). The delegates of Transportation Committee from Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Turkey, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Tajikistan, and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as well as a delegats from the ECO Secretariat participated in the meeting.
Following proposals were made at the session :
Multiple entry visas valid for all ECO states to drivers of carriers and business communities of ECO member countries,Driving licenses issued by the ECO States be acceptable by all ECO countries.,Cargo Carriers be allowed to cross the border irrespective of their status of left or right hand drive.,Customs Check points be established at all boarders check points,Extra fees charged to the drivers of container trucks be either alleviated or eliminated,Unavailability of seamless system of cargo provision and marketing for the ECO train be addressed in collaboration and consultation of the ECO Secretariat and relevant officials, Difference in the working hours in the customs offices of member countries be addressed in communications of the ECO Secretariat with relevant authorities in member countries were among the proposals made during the session .
The ECO Chamber of Commerce and Industry declared its readiness to collaborate in encouraging the investors of the region to either construct a new bridge alongside the Charjou bridge or restore the said Bridge in Turkmenistan and the Sarakhs Bridge as two identical border bridges, subject to the approval by the officials of Turkmenistan and Iran respectively.
The meeting was informed that the familiarization workshop hosted by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) will be held for the tour operators of ECO member countries regarding the capacities and tourist attractions of the Silk Road on the sidelines of the next meeting of the ECO CCI Transportation Committee.
The ECO CCI Secretariat was mandated to deliver forms on road map/ work plans in the field of transportation for providing information on the barriers to transport and border crossing in member countries which will be duly filled and returned by member chambers for further processing by the ECO CCI Secretariat
The ECO CCI Secretariat was requested to follow-up with ECO Secretariat regarding the survey soon to be completed jointly by IRU/ECO outlining the barriers to transportation.
The meeting decided that the date and venue of the 4th Meeting of Transportation Committee of ECO CCI will be determined at the 16th ECO CCI Executive Committee Meeting.