Azernews.Az

By Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan’s geographic location allows it to become a major logistic hub between Europe and Asia.

Antonio Llobet de Pablo, president of the International Association of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Customs and Logistics, made the remarks at the association’s conference in Baku on May 2.

He noted that since the ancient times, Azerbaijan has been and remains a key link of the Great Silk Road.

“The geographical location of Azerbaijan and the development of such transport corridors as “North-South” and “East-West” will allow the country to become a major logistics center between Europe and Asia,” Llobet de Pablo said.

In turn, Kestutis Jankauskas, head of the EU delegation to Azerbaijan stressed that the EU is interested in developing relations with Azerbaijan in the transport and logistics sphere.

“Azerbaijan is a country that connects the East and the West, Asia and Europe. So it is important for the EU that transit routes through Azerbaijan become not only the shortest and fastest, but also the cheapest and most convenient,” according to him.

He said that Azerbaijan has all the technical capabilities to become the most important link between Europe and Asia, further noting the significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway and an international seaport in Baku’s Alat settlement, where the free economic zone will be created.

Jankauskas went on to say that European companies note significant improvement of Azerbaijan’s customs system in recent years, the progress in its work and increase of transparency, adding that the improvement should continue.

He underlined that the EU is happy to support Azerbaijan in this issue, further saying that the EU is implementing several programs with Azerbaijan, among which the improvement of the Red Bridge border checkpoint and the transition to a new computer system can be highlighted.

Chairman of the State Customs Committee (SCC) of Azerbaijan Safar Mehdiyev, taking his turn stated that SCC intends to carry out important structural and personnel reforms, adding that the development of trade and business creates the need to reform the infrastructure and customs authorities.

“The customs bodies of Azerbaijan, which play an important role in protecting the domestic market and stimulating local production and exports, continue to improve from year to year. The general strategy of the customs service of Azerbaijan is aimed at creating a more attractive trade and investment environment in the country, by creating favorable opportunity for development of trade in the region, securing the international trade chain and stimulating foreign economic activity,” Mehdiyev said.

The Chairman of the Committee noted that the facilitation of trade procedures leads to the development of the economy, the increase in export potential and the strengthening of international competitiveness, which in turn is important for the presence in the country of strong and reliable cooperation between customs and business.

“From this point of view, the application of the program of authorized economic operators and the system of the “green corridor” in the country are the most important steps. I hope that this conference will contribute to the development of cooperation between customs authorities and business structures,” Mehdiyev emphasized.

The international conference of the International Association of AEO Customs and Logistics started its work in Baku on May 2. As many as 150 representatives of 25 countries are taking part in the conference, which will last until May 4.

Such issues as the Silk Road prospects, secure business environment and its key elements, creation of a secure supply chain, prospects for border security as part of the Silk Road, intermodal transportations and logistics prospects as part of the corridor will be discussed at the conference.

As part of the conference, an annual assembly of the International Association of AEO Customs and Logistics and a seminar on blockchain technology will also take place.

The conference will end with the signing of an action plan between Azerbaijan’s State Customs Committee and the International Association of AEO Customs and Logistics.

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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

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