File photo used for representation only
The activation of TIR Transit Agreement in Qatar is contributing to the promotion of international trade in the Middle East region.
In June this year, the International Road Transport (TIR) system went live in Qatar, boosting the country’s position as a strategic transport and trading partner and driving more efficient transport routes in the Gulf region. With Qatar set to host a series of major international events in the coming years, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, TIR is helping speed up supply chains, ensuring the secure and timely delivery of goods and services to and from the State.
TIR, the only global transit system, allows goods to be transported from one country to another, via transit countries if needed, in sealed load compartments that are controlled by customs via a multilateral, mutually recognised and UN-backed system.
International Road Transport Union (IRU) had worked in close collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, General Authority of Customs and the IRU member the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, to implement the TIR system in the country.
The Ministry said in a tweet recently that TIR system's activation was contributing to the promotion of global trade in the region. A video shared with the tweet said in today’s global economy it takes 29 companies from 18 countries to have a simple cup of coffee. “To produce a car, it can take 10,000 suppliers from around the globe. All of which in turn have their own suppliers.”
The video says that in this production, distribution and consumption chain, trucks are the link around complex supply and logistics chains to operate efficiently into connecting all businesses, markets, and transport modes. “Trucks have become vital life blood of all economies. However these complex international supply chains are subject to non-harmonised and overlapping regulatory requirements and procedures that change from one country or region to the next.”
The video posted by the Ministry says that field studies have shown that inappropriate customs procedures can account up to 57% of total transport time.
“Waiting time at borders which can amount to hours, days or even weeks have economic, social and environmental costs for all involved also creating an environment conducive to corruption.”
TIR system is simple, global, multi-modal, secure, and affordable customs transit system. Under TIR, trucks or any containerised shipments are sealed by customs of departure and unsealed by customs of destination without unnecessary or redundant checks at borders in between, it added.
It also ensures security and traceability of goods transported. TIR cuts overall transport time by 40% and costs by up to 30% making it easier, cheaper and most secure.
TIR has strict public private admission process as the transport operators have to go through strict checks to become duly authorised TIR transporters that makes most secure and reliable customs transit system.
It is to be noted that with Qatar, five out of six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are now running TIR. Transport operators, shippers and business users benefit from faster, less expensive and more secure transport and trade routes between Qatar and its trading partners in the region and beyond.
In addition to moving goods by road, TIR is proven to be an excellent transport and trade facilitation tool for multi-modal integrated transports including roll-on roll-off, container shipments and rail.
