Iran, Kazakhstan Augment Freight Transit Up to 5 Million Tons

Iran and Kazakhstan agreed for a unified tariff rate and 5 million tons freight transit during the first ministerial summit on transit cooperation held between Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Russia. On the sidelines of the first ministerial meeting on transit cooperation in Tehran, Iran minister of Roads and Urban Development Rostam Ghasemi and Kazakhstan’s Minister of Industry and Infrastructural Development Uskenbayev Kairbek Aitbayevich met and discussed facilitation and development of freight transit. The two sides agreed on the increase of commercial transactions up to 5 million tons for the upcoming year.  The transit will be from Kazakhstan through Iran's territory to various destinations including Europe, India, Africa and other destinations.  The freight transit will be begun by cereals, coal, and ironware freights within the next two weeks when the finalization of plan for joint action is expected.
Iran guaranteed three-day transit time through its territory. Furthermore in the meeting, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development promised for unification of tariff rates for transit which was welcomed by Kazakhstan. This is part of the agreement for activation of multimodal transit along the east of the Caspian Sea which is discussed simultaneously with eight countries present in the summit.  Iran is hosting the first ministerial summit on transit cooperation among eight states including Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran for transit cooperation on October 8-9 in Tehran. These regional countries are seeking regional convergence and transport synergy in the region which would make 20 million tons freight transit possible among these countries. - ISNA