Iran, Turkey customs agencies seek to expand operations

Turkey and Iran's customs agencies plan to play a crucial role in the two neighbours' goal for $30 billion (USD) in bilateral trade.

At a meeting with his Turkish counterpart in the town of Konya, the director of Iran's customs administration, Abbas Memarnejad, said the two agencies have agreed to meet every six months to review and increase cooperation, the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reports.

Right now, Iran and Turkey send most of their imports and exports through three border checkpoints. The Bazargan-Gürbulak border point is the busiest, but won't be able to process more trade between Tehran and Ankara said Mr. Mermarnejad. Efforts will be made to improve and expand the other two checkpoints, he added.

It was agreed at the Konya meeting that Turkey will rebuild the customs facilities at the Sarv-Essen Darreh border point by the end of 2013.

Meanwhile Iran will work to asphalt the road from the town of Khoy to the Razi-Kapikoy border point and renovate five bridges in that direction.

Other issues to be addressed include reducing congestion at Gürbulak and creating better facilities for drivers and their vehicles.


/Trend/