ECO chambers of commerce propose simplified visa regime for business representatives
According to Report, citing the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), he also highlighted the need to expand road, rail and air connectivity among the organization's member states, as well as to make greater use of the TIR system to strengthen regional connectivity.
According to him, ECO is working to create a "synergistic effect" between trade, transport and tourism, with the organization's goal being to transform investment in transport accessibility and infrastructure into increased trade volumes and greater cross-border movement of goods, services and people.
He also emphasized the need to establish a regional platform for finding partners for small and medium-sized businesses, as well as specialized B2B forums and exhibitions for women-led businesses.
ECO Secretary-General Asad Majeed Khan, in turn, stressed the need for close cooperation between the private sector and governments to advance the trade integration agenda and expand trade, particularly by creating opportunities for establishing business ties.
The delegates discussed ways to strengthen cooperation through greater private-sector involvement, with an emphasis on increasing trade flows and addressing transport connectivity challenges.
Participants also highlighted the need to introduce a simplified visa regime for members of the business community.
The Istanbul–Tehran–Islamabad transport corridor is approximately 6,500 km long. Since its establishment under the auspices of ECO in 2009, the route has operated only intermittently. Its regular operation has been hampered by technical and logistical barriers, including different railway gauges, bureaucratic delays at customs, and infrastructure damage caused by weather conditions or security problems. The latest test runs of container trains took place in late 2021 and early 2022, after which services were suspended again.