IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto has greeted the successful arrival of two trucks in Istanbul today, launching TIR along the important new Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul (ITI) trade corridor.
The trucks, operated by Pakistan company NLC and carrying textiles and tyres for export, have demonstrated transit time savings of 80% on the normal maritime route.
IRU Secretary General Umberto de Pretto said, “This new ITI corridor is a clear demonstration of how TIR saves time and money, bringing greater trade and economic benefits to this region. The ECO region has always been a pioneer in using the TIR system.”
ECO Secretary General Khosrav Noziri said, “The successful activation of the ITI corridor is thanks to close coopepration between ECO and IRU, as well as all public and private stakeholders in the Iran, Pakistan and Turkey. It will definitely help boost regional integration and connectivity.”
With the traditional sea route taking 25 to 40 days, the transport has successfully demonstrated huge time-savings. TIR transports can now reach Istanbul from Pakistan in as little as six days, with highly secure and speedy border crossings, reducing risk as well as costs and time.
With the significant trade potential of the ECO region, this new corridor will enhance connectivity and sets a milestone for transit facilitation, enabling further regional integration and more efficient access to global markets.
The launch comes on the heels of the first successful export shipments with TIR from Pakistan to Russia. TIR transports are also increasing from Pakistan to Azerbaijan via Iran, with NLC also running a first successful operation on this route earlier this week.
