Russia to accelerate customs clearance of Azerbaijani agro products
By Kamila Aliyeva
Russia will organize the work of experts at the Samur border crossing point in order to reduce the time spent on the examination of agricultural products exported from Azerbaijan, the State Customs Committee said on March 28.
This agreement was reached within the framework of today's meeting of the Khachmaz Customs Administration of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan with the representatives of the North Caucasus Customs Department of the Federal Customs Service of Russia at the Samur border crossing point located on the Azerbaijani-Russian border.
The Azerbaijani side drew the attention of Russian colleagues to the delays in obtaining the results of the examination of Azerbaijani agricultural products in Russia, noting that this, consequently, leads to a transport delay at the border, additional costs, products damage and non-fulfillment of deliveries on time.
The Russian side, in turn, promised to inform the relevant structures about this issue. In addition, the work of special experts will be organized at the border checkpoint, which will speed up the examination.
The parties also stressed the importance of the primary exchange of information and the synchronization of the border crossing process.
The agricultural sector is of significant importance for Azerbaijan, which is keen to diminish its dependence on the oil sector. Azerbaijan, being engaged in increasing its export potential and boosting and protecting the population's food security, sees the agricultural sector as a central direction in a bid to diversify the national economy.
Azerbaijan entered the top 3 suppliers of agricultural products to Russia among the CIS countries, after Moscow imposed anti-Turkish sanctions.
Russia currently ranks the second among foreign trade partners of Azerbaijan. The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Russia exceeded $2.05 billion, with $1.6 billion falling to a share of the import of Russian production.
Some 170 agreements, with 50 being in the sphere of economy have been so far concluded between the two countries.
The government of Azerbaijan earlier took a decision to appoint trade representatives in the Azerbaijani embassies and consulates abroad to facilitate business ties and increase the effectiveness of export promotion measures, represent and fully protect the trade and economic interests of the country.
Ruslan Aliyev has been appointed trade representative of Azerbaijan to Russia.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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