International Road Transport Organisation (IRU)
Source: International Road Transport Organisation (IRU) |

Video News Release: Saudi Arabia takes steps to boost trade with TIR – the global customs transit system

The country’s accession to TIR will open new road corridors along the spine of the Arabian Gulf – transforming the trade potential of the region

RIYADH, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, March 26, 2017/APO/ --

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced today its decision to accede to the global customs transit system for moving goods across international borders – the United Nations TIR Convention – (www.IRU.org/tir) and to make the system operational in 2017.

Due to its strategic location, the KSA is the critical link between the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the wider Middle Eastern region. The country’s accession to TIR, with its benefits of seamless cross-border connectivity, will therefore open new road corridors along the spine of the Arabian Gulf – transforming the trade potential of the region.  

Saudi Customs hosted IRU – the world’s road transport organisation – (www.IRU.org) with IRU Secretary General, Umberto de Pretto, in Riyadh this week, at a workshop offering insights and guidance on the application of TIR to streamline trade facilitation.

Ahmed Alhakbani, Director General of Saudi Customs, reinforced that the Kingdom is one of the most important transit countries in the region and he confirmed the decision to begin implementation of TIR this year.

The workshop provided a framework to build awareness among the pertinent stakeholders and to discuss the practical aspects of accession and implementation.

Umberto de Pretto explained,
“This workshop demonstrates the seriousness with which Saudi Customs approaches accession to TIR. IRU is highly motivated to facilitate knowledge-sharing and to help generate a clear understanding of the TIR system. Our aim is to communicate its simplicity, efficacy and compelling capability to transform the region’s trade potential.”

Participants at the workshop unanimously acknowledged the advantages and benefits of TIR, gaining an understanding of how Saudi Arabia’s accession and implementation of the TIR Convention will facilitate trade in a secured manner, with seamless intermodal connectivity.

The TIR workshop supports discussions on improving and developing the transport sector as outlined in the Saudi Arabian Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program 2020, with the objective of positioning Saudi Arabia as a logistics hub linking Asia, Africa and Europe.

Stakeholders from a comprehensive cross-section of both the public and private sectors attended, notably from the Ministries of Transport, and Commerce and Investment, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, the Council of Saudi Chambers, the Saudi Port Authority, customs clearance agencies and a number of leading transport operators. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Road Transport Organisation (IRU).

Contact:
Karen Mazzoli
Senior Manager, Media and Communications
karen.mazzoli@iru.org
Tel:  +41 22 918 2796
Mobile: +41 79 633 8953

Notes

About TIR
TIR (www.IRU.org/tir) is the only global customs transit system for moving goods across international borders. Supporting trade and development for more than 60 years, TIR is governed by the United Nations TIR Convention, overseen by UNECE, and managed by IRU. TIR stands for “Transports Internationaux Routiers”. One of the most successful international transport conventions, TIR makes border crossings faster, more secure and more efficient, reducing transport costs, and boosting trade and development.
Watch the video “What is the TIR System?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XI0X0InXDG0

About IRU
IRU (www.IRU.org) is the world’s road transport organisation, promoting economic growth, prosperity and safety through the sustainable mobility of people and goods. Founded in 1948, IRU has members and activities in more than 100 countries. IRU conceived TIR in 1949, and manages the system to this day.