ecocci

ecocci

TEHRAN - During a meeting of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA)’s Transport and Logistics Committee on Saturday, the members of the committee stressed the need for establishing a regulatory body in the country’s railway industry, the ICCIMA portal reported.

The attendees of the mentioned meeting emphasized that necessary provisions should be made in the Seventh Five-year National Development Plan for the operation of a regulatory body in the railway industry and the private sector should also be able to have a stronger role in the industry.

Speaking at the meeting, Ali Hosseini, the head of the ICCIMA Transport and Logistics Committee enumerated some of the challenges and problems of the country’s transportation industry and said: “The transportation industry is one of the industries that operate in direct connection with all economic sectors and the conditions governing it have significant effects on the market. Therefore, paying attention to the needs of this industry should be the priority in defining the country's economic and legislative programs.”

He further pointed to some of the issues of the railway industry, saying: “There is not enough productivity in this industry. We have problems in railway management and our approach in this field is uneconomical. Due to the low speed of rail transportation and the lack of efficiency, a regulatory body should be established. If we want to reach the transit goals of 30 to 50 million tons per year, the rail industry must be developed.”

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the customs of Russia and Azerbaijan on Monday to facilitate the transit of goods between the parties, IRNA reported.

According to IRICA Head Alireza Moghadasi, based on the said MOU Iran's access to Russia will be facilitated through Azerbaijan’s land borders.

“Iranian trucks won’t need to wait in long lines to reach Russia and goods will reach their destination more quickly,” Moghadasi said.

The official noted that the activity of all commercial corridors passing through Iran has increased over the past year and commercial exchanges and transit of goods have risen significantly.

“Iran’s customs diplomacy has been developed considering the country’s membership in the World Customs Organization as well as other conventions, especially with neighboring countries, and this has been the government's priority regarding foreign trade,” the IRICA head said in an interview with national TV.

Emphasizing that good measures have been taken to facilitate trade in different corridors, Moghadasi said: “The Islamabad-Tehran-Bazargan route for sending goods to Europe, as well as the Emirates-Iran-Turkey, the South-North and East-West corridors and Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-India are the routes whose activity has been expanded to increase trade and transit.”

According to the official, since the current government took office in August 2021, the transport policy of Iran has actively focused on close cooperation with the neighboring countries to enhance regional connectivity.

Moghadasi noted that for the first time Iran has been granted permission to launch an Asia-Pacific Regional Training Center for transport and transit courses, saying: “We can invite different countries for training, and there are many supporting institutions in this regard.”

Regarding the control of smuggling from the country's borders, the official said: “vulnerable border points and methods of smuggling have been identified so that they can be eliminated with timely planning and taking effective measures.”

The policy of paying attention to neighbors and developing political and economic relations with neighboring countries in the current government, increasing attention to road and rail routes in the world, and the efforts and cooperation of transportation and trade-related organizations in establishing or activating corridors through the country have led to significant growth in transit of goods through Iran.

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the customs of Russia and Azerbaijan on Monday to facilitate the transit of goods between the parties, IRNA reported.

According to IRICA Head Alireza Moghadasi, based on the said MOU Iran's access to Russia will be facilitated through Azerbaijan’s land borders.

“Iranian trucks won’t need to wait in long lines to reach Russia and goods will reach their destination more quickly,” Moghadasi said.

The official noted that the activity of all commercial corridors passing through Iran has increased over the past year and commercial exchanges and transit of goods have risen significantly.

“Iran’s customs diplomacy has been developed considering the country’s membership in the World Customs Organization as well as other conventions, especially with neighboring countries, and this has been the government's priority regarding foreign trade,” the IRICA head said in an interview with national TV.

Emphasizing that good measures have been taken to facilitate trade in different corridors, Moghadasi said: “The Islamabad-Tehran-Bazargan route for sending goods to Europe, as well as the Emirates-Iran-Turkey, the South-North and East-West corridors and Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-India are the routes whose activity has been expanded to increase trade and transit.”

According to the official, since the current government took office in August 2021, the transport policy of Iran has actively focused on close cooperation with the neighboring countries to enhance regional connectivity.

Moghadasi noted that for the first time Iran has been granted permission to launch an Asia-Pacific Regional Training Center for transport and transit courses, saying: “We can invite different countries for training, and there are many supporting institutions in this regard.”

Regarding the control of smuggling from the country's borders, the official said: “vulnerable border points and methods of smuggling have been identified so that they can be eliminated with timely planning and taking effective measures.”

The policy of paying attention to neighbors and developing political and economic relations with neighboring countries in the current government, increasing attention to road and rail routes in the world, and the efforts and cooperation of transportation and trade-related organizations in establishing or activating corridors through the country have led to significant growth in transit of goods through Iran.

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) signed a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the customs of Russia and Azerbaijan on Monday to facilitate the transit of goods between the parties, IRNA reported.

According to IRICA Head Alireza Moghadasi, based on the said MOU Iran's access to Russia will be facilitated through Azerbaijan’s land borders.

“Iranian trucks won’t need to wait in long lines to reach Russia and goods will reach their destination more quickly,” Moghadasi said.

The official noted that the activity of all commercial corridors passing through Iran has increased over the past year and commercial exchanges and transit of goods have risen significantly.

“Iran’s customs diplomacy has been developed considering the country’s membership in the World Customs Organization as well as other conventions, especially with neighboring countries, and this has been the government's priority regarding foreign trade,” the IRICA head said in an interview with national TV.

Emphasizing that good measures have been taken to facilitate trade in different corridors, Moghadasi said: “The Islamabad-Tehran-Bazargan route for sending goods to Europe, as well as the Emirates-Iran-Turkey, the South-North and East-West corridors and Russia-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran-India are the routes whose activity has been expanded to increase trade and transit.”

According to the official, since the current government took office in August 2021, the transport policy of Iran has actively focused on close cooperation with the neighboring countries to enhance regional connectivity.

Moghadasi noted that for the first time Iran has been granted permission to launch an Asia-Pacific Regional Training Center for transport and transit courses, saying: “We can invite different countries for training, and there are many supporting institutions in this regard.”

Regarding the control of smuggling from the country's borders, the official said: “vulnerable border points and methods of smuggling have been identified so that they can be eliminated with timely planning and taking effective measures.”

The policy of paying attention to neighbors and developing political and economic relations with neighboring countries in the current government, increasing attention to road and rail routes in the world, and the efforts and cooperation of transportation and trade-related organizations in establishing or activating corridors through the country have led to significant growth in transit of goods through Iran.

Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:46

Tourism

ECO region with an area of more than 8 million square kilometers stretching from central to south and south-west Asia and a population of around 450 million inhabitants is well-known for its natural beauties, as well as diversity of its historical-cultural heritage. In this respect the region has a significant potential to be one of the major tourism destinations in the world, albeit not duly explored. The Region is one of the world’s richest in terms of historical and cultural heritage and echoes memoires of the ancient Silk Road.

As one of the largest and fastest growing economic sectors in the world, tourism is well-positioned to foster economic growth and development at all levels and provide income through job creation. The ever increasing and contribution of tourism to the world economy and less investment requirements and environmental effects makes it inevitable to adopt plans and strategies for development of tourism on national and regional basis.

Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:44

Transport and Connectivity

Transport, mobility and connectivity shall increasingly play its critical role in ensuring regional development, prosperity, social well-being, cohesiveness and the realization of Information Society. Accordingly, to achieve the maximum possible connectivity and its consequent impact on socio-economic development, there is a compelling need to cooperate on fundamental transit related policy issues through increasing efficiency, creating a more harmonized, simplified legal and administrative framework by means of facilitating accession to and implementation of major international conventions/agreements aimed at easing procedures for movement of peoples and goods across the region and beyond, in an efficient way.

 

Other imperative prerequisite to that end are full implementation of the Transit Transport Framework Agreement (TTFA), facilitating regular and commercially justified operation of ECO corridors/Routes, and modernization of border crossing points Customs.

 

Addressing the unique challenges faced by the seven landlocked Member States of the ECO needs to be given paramount attention through inter alia providing for efficient and cost-effective transit access.

 

As concerns ICT connectivity and its inevitable impact on future development level of the ECO region, development and maintenance of information and communication technology, integration in the global market where information and communications technology is a contributor to sustainable and inclusive growth are crucial for the member states. to that end, access to affordable broadband, removal of monopolies, maximizing competitiveness through strengthening of private sector in provision of ICT related services, creation of an enabling environment for increasing the share of ICT related services and products in Member States GDP needs to be given a paramount significance.
Sunday, 21 August 2022 07:39

Trade Related Part of Vision 2025

Trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) play an important large role in the economic growth of developing countries. Increased exports and inward investment creates wealth which drives economic growth and hence creates jobs in an economy.

In ECO too, Trade and Investment sector occupies the foremost important place and is among the core priority areas. High level fora (including Ministerial Meetings on Commerce and Foreign Trade, Ministerial Meetings on Finance and Economy, the Meetings of Heads of Tax Administration, Heads of Central Banks, Heads of Customs Administrations, Heads of Trade Promotion Organizations) make decisions on trade related matters. These decisions determine the direction and scope for ECO cooperation in the areas of trade and investment.

The ECO-Vision 2025 was approved during the 13th ECO Summit held at Islamabad, Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 1st March 2017.

Trade Related Part of Vision 2025

 
 
I. Strategic Objective
To double intra-regional trade increase ECO share in the global trade and specifically exports, increase share in global trade and tap regional trade potential for economic growth.

II. Policy Environment
As trade continues to be the engine of economic development and an instrument for socio-economic integration, expanding trade volumes is the need of hour for ECO. In 2015 the global ECO trade reached US$ 648 billion. This included exports of US$ 285 billion and imports of US$ 363 billion. ECO is a net importer from the world with a negative trade balance of US$ 78 billion. A large part of this can be diverted to ECO countries if ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) is operationalized. In 2015 the total intra-ECO trade was US$ 58 billion which, at 9 percent, is far below its true potential.

Expanding trade volumes require trade liberalisation, harmonisation of policies, reducing the cost of doing business, financial infrastructure, and institutional capacity building. Harmonization of national policies is important for free flow of trade, harmonization creates compatibilities, maximizes economic efficiency and reduces transaction costs. Trade facilitation is another area of focus for ECO, as it reduces indirect as well as hidden costs, which is substantially high in ECO Region.

III. Expected Outcomes

“3A. Trade
  • The ECO Trade Agreement (ECOTA) will be operationalized and the membership of ECOTA will be increased.
  • The scope of ECOTA will be enhanced from preferential trade to Free trade Agreement.
  • Non-WTO Member Countries will be assisted in their accession to WTO
  • Following pending trade related agreements will be operationalized:
  1. ECO Agreement on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters.
  2. ECO Agreement on Joint Promotional Activities.
  3. ECO Trade Facilitation Agreement.
  4. Regional Agreement on Cooperation in Taxation Matters.
  • ECO Visa Sticker Scheme for businessmen will be operationalized.
  • ECO Reinsurance Company will be operationalized.
  • The role of the ECO Bank will be strengthened in the development of ECO economies. The membership of the Bank will be expanded.
  • Capacity Building Programmes for Trade Promotion Organizations of the Member Countries will be prepared and executed.
  • Regional trade exhibitions and fairs will be organized.
  • A robust trade financing programme will be launched for enhancing regional trade.”

“3E. Economic Growth and Productivity
  • The Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investment among ECO Member Countries (APPI) will be operationalized and its membership will be increased.
  • Legal regimes and mechanisms to enhance investor protection will be improved;
  • Capacity Building Programmes for Investment Promotion Agencies of the Member Countries will be prepared and executed.”

 Chambers of commerce of Iran and Pakistan have agreed on forming a committee to resolve the trade disputes between the two countries.

The agreement was signed as part of the 21st Session of Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission which was held after five years in Islamabad.

The Iranian delegation to Pakistan was Headed by Minister of Road and Urban Development Rostam Qassemi.  

During the session in the Pakistani capital, representatives from the Iranian and Pakistani chambers of commerce also agreed on a different range of issues including, the dispatch of an Iranian private sector delegation to Karachi, Pakistan, exchange of trade information, execution of barter trade agreements between the two countries, signing an agreement on formation of a trade dispute resolution committee and forming an Iran-Pakistan trade council between the two chambers of commerce.   

As a document has been signed earlier between the Iran’s Zahedan Chamber of Commerce and Pakistan’s Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry on facilitation of barter trade, the two sides agreed to devise a mechanism to implement the document and provide the necessary software infrastructures within a month. 

Chambers of commerce of Iran and Pakistan have agreed on forming a committee to resolve the trade disputes between the two countries.

The agreement was signed as part of the 21st Session of Iran-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission which was held after five years in Islamabad.

The Iranian delegation to Pakistan was Headed by Minister of Road and Urban Development Rostam Qassemi.  

During the session in the Pakistani capital, representatives from the Iranian and Pakistani chambers of commerce also agreed on a different range of issues including, the dispatch of an Iranian private sector delegation to Karachi, Pakistan, exchange of trade information, execution of barter trade agreements between the two countries, signing an agreement on formation of a trade dispute resolution committee and forming an Iran-Pakistan trade council between the two chambers of commerce.   

As a document has been signed earlier between the Iran’s Zahedan Chamber of Commerce and Pakistan’s Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry on facilitation of barter trade, the two sides agreed to devise a mechanism to implement the document and provide the necessary software infrastructures within a month. 

Page 17 of 21