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A new protocol for the Georgia-Turkey eTIR Pilot Project

Ankara, 26 January 2016
At the occasion of the 2016 International Customs Day, held under the slogan “Digital Customs: Progressive Engagement”, Mr. Nodar Khaduri, Minister of Finance of Georgia, and Mr. Bülent Tüfenkci, Minister of Customs and Trade of the Republic of Turkey, signed a Protocol on electronic data exchange in the framework of a joint eTIR Pilot Project. The objective of this pilot project is to increase the advanced electronic exchange of information related to TIR transports crossing the Georgian-Turkish borders, with the aim to further improve risk assessment procedures, which ultimately will simplify border crossing as well as help to prevent smuggling, terrorism, illegal trade and immigration.
The eTIR pilot project between Georgia and Turkey started as part of the UNECE led project "Strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to facilitate legitimate border crossing, regional cooperation and integration" and constitutes a significant milestone towards the full computerization of the TIR procedure. Signing the protocol demonstrates the willingness of both countries to integrate the computerization of the TIR procedure in the overall effort to improve the work of customs administrations by means of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).