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The Trans-Caucasus Transport Corridor (CTC) can reach a high-efficiency level if Georgia and Azerbaijan coordinate and follow specific actions. The World Bank has come up with a Strategy and Action plan highlighting the focus areas of the two countries, including customs processes, access transparency and fair competition, the launching and proper set-up of a joint venture, the organisation of block trains and the optimisation of intermodal infrastructure.
CTC might not be a broadly used term. It refers to the part of the Middle Corridor between the port of Baku and the Black Sea Georgian ports of Poti and Batumi. Therefore, the CTC is the western part of the Middle Corridor, or more commonly, the leg of the Middle Corridor passing through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and the Black Sea. Turkey can also be affiliated with it partially.
The World Bank carried out an extensive study on the route. The financial institution argues that the CTC route can play an important, if not the most important, role in developing the Middle Corridor with efficiency and agility. However, it claims that “despite some investments taking place, the CTC is not meeting its potential capacity to facilitate container cargo movement between China, Central Asia, and Europe, due in part to physical and nonphysical barriers along the corridor in Azerbaijan and Georgia”. As a result, it came up with some proposals.
A shared customs environment
“A one-stop-shop solution would be the ideal model that Georgia and Azerbaijan could implement in customs processes along the CTC route”, says the study. According to the World Bank, “customs in Azerbaijan and Georgia have improved in recent years. Based on survey results, there are no significant issues in Georgia, while in Azerbaijan, users noted that customs have made some positive changes in recent years”.
Yet, more improvements could help the two countries develop their shared route. In the short term, the World Bank advises the two countries to focus on “improving customs procedures including information flow and move to a one-stop-shop solution”. On top of that, they should invest in training the customs employees and make them eligible to work in coordination with other countries.
In the long run, Azerbaijan and Georgia should focus on developing a single customs area with simplified procedures and efficient operational times to avoid border delays. Additionally, the two countries are advised to create a ‘green corridor’ where customs checkpoints will no longer be used, and trains will be able to transit seamlessly and without stops. Read more
Source: RAILFREIGHT.COM
