Iran Boosts Regional Mobility and Tourism with Carnet de Passages Initiative

Iran recently played a pivotal role in the 6th Expert Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Customs Committee, which took place in Turkey. This meeting highlighted the significance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system in facilitating cross-border vehicle movement and promoting regional tourism.

The event gathered customs officials from various ECO member states, aiming to enhance cooperation and refine regional transit procedures. Representing Iran were officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration and the Touring and Automobile Club of Iran, as reported by CHTN on Friday.

At the beginning of the session, attendees observed a minute of silence to honor the victims of the recent tragic incident at Shahid Rajaee Port in southern Iran. This moment underscored the event’s solemnity and the importance of safety in regional transit.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the approval of the agenda for the forthcoming 10th ECO Heads of Customs Summit, which is set to be hosted in Tehran. This upcoming summit aims to further solidify the goals and objectives established during this meeting.

During the event, the representative from the Touring and Automobile Club of Iran delivered an insightful presentation on the CPD system, often referred to as the “customs passport” for vehicles. The CPD facilitates the temporary entry of both personal and commercial vehicles into participating countries without requiring the payment of customs duties or cash guarantees at borders. This process is crucial for streamlining vehicle movement across nations.

The presentation received positive feedback and resulted in the inclusion of the CPD topic in the meeting’s final report. Participants recognized the system’s potential to simplify customs procedures, encourage international road travel, and enhance regional integration.

• Importance of CPD: The ECO Customs Committee members collectively reaffirmed the necessity of adopting CPD procedural standards across all member states.
• Boosting Road Tourism: The CPD system is considered a practical mechanism for bolstering road tourism.
• Improving Transit Logistics: It aims to enhance transit logistics and facilitate cross-border economic initiatives.

The ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization that encompasses countries from Europe, the Caucasus, Central and West Asia, and South Asia. It boasts a population of over 460 million inhabitants and covers more than 8 million square kilometers, connecting Russia to the Persian Gulf and China to Europe. The overarching goal of the organization is to achieve sustainable economic development for its member states and the region as a whole.

In conclusion, Iran’s active participation in the ECO Customs Committee meeting underscores its commitment to enhancing regional cooperation and facilitating smoother transit processes. The discussions surrounding the CPD system are expected to pave the way for improved customs procedures and increased tourism within the ECO region.

By fostering collaboration among member states, the ECO aims to create a more integrated economic landscape, ultimately benefiting all nations involved. The upcoming 10th ECO Heads of Customs Summit in Tehran will be a crucial platform for furthering these initiatives and addressing any challenges that may arise in the realm of customs and transit logistics.