Freight News, Road

South Asia needs TIR, says IRU study

[ October 25, 2017   //   Chris ]

India-based CUTS International (Consumer Unity and Trust Society), in partnership with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) have published a study on the benefits of a multi-lateral transit system – similar to TIR – for the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal region (BBIN).

CUTS executive director Bipul Chatterjee said there was “a compelling case for our neighbours to opt for TIR.” Customs clearance procedures between India and Bangladesh, for example, can require 22 documents, 55 signatures and a dozen photocopies – with the formats and standards varying significantly.

However, recent progress with various unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral arrangements is improving connectivity between the four countries, particularly the 2015 Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA). In order for the MVA to be effectively implemented, however, a streamlined transit system operating among the four countries and also connecting the BBIN region to other world markets, is essential.

The study concludes that TIR is the ideal, tried and tested, customs transit tool to realise the ambitions of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement, to promote regional and inter-regional trade flow.

 

Tags: IRU