Under the banner of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) – a 10 member’s regional cooperation organization with 3 founding states Pakistan, Iran and Turkey, Islamabad –Tehran– Istanbul (ITI) Road Transport Corridor started its operation last month. On September 27, 2021 a convoy of trucks began its journey from the financial hub of Pakistan Karachi and reached the metropolitan city of Turkey, Istanbul on October 7, 2021 covering 3292 miles (5300 Kilometers). Under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), initially 2 trucks of National Logistic Company (NLC) arrived at Istanbul via Iran. The event marked the successful delivery of commercial cargo on Pakistan’s trucks to Turkey.
In this regard, an opening ceremony was held on Oct 8, 2021 in at Murat Bey Customs Post Istanbul to mark the launch of Tri-nation road corridor as ITI Road Transport Corridor Project successfully carried its first business cargo. It is worthy to share that this cargo fleet will link three countries and two continents.
The Ministry of Trade of Turkey has launched the said project with the assistance of its counterparts in Pakistan and Iran under the auspices of ECO.
Pakistan’s diplomats to Turkey, Turkey’s Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange (TOBB), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) representatives, senior Iranian officials and other observers from private and public sector have witnessed the event.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi was also present there; he used some folk metaphor to explain the situation. He said, “I would like to share one proverb which is common in Urdu language, ‘drops, when these are collected together become a river’, it means this episode is a beginning of good time and great future”.
Syrus Sajjad Qazi said, “These are the first few steps that will contribute to bring the people of three countries together, i.e. Pakistan, Iran and Turkey”. “I believe, these few drops will make a way forward to the river of commerce between and among Pakistan, Iran and Turkey”, he added.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Syrys Sajjad Qazi in his remarks painted Pakistan’s focus on geo-economics and how the regional linkage is vital in this regard. He hailed that this trail run of National Logistic Company trucks is a momentous step; it will reinforce road connectivity between the three Muslim Brother Nations and would also supportive in back-up of mutual commerce. He also said that operationalization of this corridor will also work as a catalyst to reduce the cost and time for transportation in the region.
On this occasion, Head of department, transport and logistical system Turkey (TOBB), Asli Calik said, “Indeed, it is a tremendous initiative; this corridor will pave the way for the development of our road trade with regional countries and Middle East (ME)”. “Due to this project, now Pakistan is more incorporated into the international economy and trade. This route will also be helpful for Turkey’s exports to China via Pakistan”, he added.
General Manager Marketing, National Logistics Cell (NLC), Shaukat Abbas believes this venture will boost the trade relationships among the countries of the region especially Pakistan-Iran-Turkey. “I have no doubt that this road network will bring prosperity in the region”, he was speaking to Eat News.
On this eve Director General Iran Transport Ministry, Javid Hedayati, said Iran will extend its full cooperation and commitment in supporting the project, adding “it is a magnificent effort and sample for doing with other neighbors and regional partnership”.
The Trade Ministry of Turkey and its matching-parts in Pakistan and Iran had foreseen this project under the umbrella of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) almost a decade ago. In 2011, in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, at 8th meeting of ECO Ministers of Transport and Communications it was decided to establish the ITI road transport corridor.
Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General International Road Transport Union (IRU) also graced the event. All participants agreed that this step will open new avenues to promote connectivity and to escalate the commerce and business between three nations.
President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) Shariq Vohra while speaking to Eat News said, “It is an immense opportunity, there was a road link network between these countries many decades back so it is the renaissance and rebirth of our old traditional trade route. I will say this project should be sustainable rather than just a news headline to grab the attention of people. If sustainability is ensured there will be enough merchandise, cargo and people will be involved in transporting their goods from Pakistan to Istanbul via Tehran. Although Pakistan is using its Karachi ship-port for the same kind of activities, this case said the project will catch the consideration of the business community. Time factor is one of the important variables as the road network will help the traders to import and export their commodities in much shorter time to and from Turkey.”
Mr. Vohra was convinced that this road link will pave a way to understand the cultural diversity among the countries of the region. “A great human interaction will be involved with this project, people will start travelling and availing the tourism facility in future”, he added.
Mr. Vohra argued that “We are already connected with Iran and Turkey through trade ties but the volume is not huge. It will also be beneficial for transparent transactions of money through banking channels and will also discourage Pak-Iran border smuggling as sometimes we listen to stories through the media about smuggling issues”.
Former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI), Ahmad Hassan Mughal during his interview with Eat News said, “It is a positive step in our business history as our cargo will reach Istanbul via Tehran, it will help us to boost our trade and bilateral relations with Iran and Turkey. Moreover, it would be a great benefit for Turkey if they want to access China for their trade and commerce as this route will work as Alternative Avenue for regional business.”
“With China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan has connectivity with different regions of the world; the same will help Turkey and Iran in future”, Mr. Mughal was referring to CPCE.
Ahmad Hassan Mughal suggested the government to take some solid steps to guarantee the low cargo rates to encourage the business community to join in this project. He also proposed that the government should consider the bus service on the same route once cargo service becomes ‘fully operational’.
“We are closely linked with Iran and Turkey with our traditions and Islamic history. This service will be milestone to help the people of three countries to come closer”, Mr. Mughal was speaking to Eat News.
All three connected states expect to increase traded and cooperation through the transport corridor project.
Economists believe that Islamabad-Tehran-Istanbul road transport corridor will not only generate the revenue but also heighten trade and enhance the economic assistance among the members of ECO. It is worthy to share that after this first successful run, the National Logistic Company (NLC) aims to augment and regularize transport of goods between Turkey, Iran and Pakistan, helping to brings three countries and two continents more closer than ever.
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