Dr. Sanjaya Baru, Secretary General, FICCI talked about the benefits of TIR system and said, “TIR plays an important role in trade facilitation and has been a successful model for reducing trade transaction costs and facilitating higher growth of intra-regional and inter-regional trade.” He also mentioned that given the significance of TIR in boosting regional connectivity, and India’s accession to the convention, it is recommended for other BBIN countries to opt for TIR to improve the effective transit procedures among the four countries and by connecting the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal) region to other world markets.
In his special address, Mr Sandeep Kumar said that “The Government is looking at very active participation by the business sector to be able to use this particular convention that India has acceded to. Further he stated that the accession process will be completed on 16th December 2017 and planning to ship out first containers from Nhava Sheva to Russia via Iran under TIR by early January 2018”
TIR is the only global customs transit system for moving goods across international borders. Supporting trade and development for more than 60 years, it is governed by the United Nations TIR Convention, overseen by the United Nations Economic Commission (UNECE), and managed by IRU, Geneva. 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.
India acceded to the United Nations TIR Convention on 15th June 2017 - the Customs Convention on International Transport of Goods under cover of TIR Carnets. FICCI has been appointed by CBEC as National Guaranteeing Association for the operation of TIR System in India similar to ATA Carnet.
TIR will help Indian traders to have access to fast, easy, reliable and hassle free international system for movement of goods by road or multi-modal means across the territories of other contracting parties. It will be a boon to India’s trade and aims to integrate the economy with global and regional production networks through better connectivity.