Discussion of prospects for shaping a brighter future for trade and transport around the Black Sea and beyond

The event dedicated to the IRU’s 75th anniversary is organized by the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB), International Transporters’’ Association of Carriers (UND) and the TOBBUND Logistics Investment IC.
 
The participants of the meeting - IRU member associations, international organizations, development partners, international financial institutions and other interested parties discussed the main challenges and opportunities, problematic issues facing road transport with regard to regional connectivity, transport and transit along multimodal East/West and North/South corridors, digitalization of commercial transport and customs procedures, decarbonization, etc.

At the opening session, the IRU President, Mr. Radu Dinescu, the UND President, Mr. Sherafettin Aras, the Vice-President of TOBB, Mr. Tamer Kiran, and others delivered a welcoming speech to the participants.

During Sessions 1 and 2, participants had the opportunity to exchange views and discuss the prospects for trade and transport in the Black Sea region and beyond, improving border crossing procedures for greater connectivity.

As part of his speech, the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Mr. Assavbayev A.A., stressed the important aspects for the development of road transport and improving the competitiveness and efficiency of transport. In particular, the development of soft infrastructure, digitalization of the transportation process and relevant procedures, as well as concrete proposals for joint work in this direction such as the formation of a legal framework, implementation of pilot projects (e-CIM/SMGS, e-CMR), formation of a model concept for the development of national IT hubs were voiced.
 
The Secretary General also drew attention to the fact that "it is advisable to make maximum use of the existing developments on digitization of transport documents to avoid duplication when entering data by carriers or shippers and additional integration with the information systems of customs authorities."
 
"Considering the different levels of digitalization in countries and regions, it is important to move forward together to build an electronic multimodal environment for transportation of goods," - Assavbayev A. emphasized.
 
Within the framework of the event, as recognition of excellence in road transport, a ceremony of awarding a number of participants with the IRU "New Industry Shapers" Trophies was organized, among which the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Mr. A.A. Assavbayev was included.