Enhancing Regional Connections in Trade and Sustainable Transit

On May 20-22, Bondo Bolkvadze, Consultant at PMCG, participated in the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) regional conference entitled “Towards Regional Economic Connectivity – National Mechanisms for Trade and Transport Facilitation” in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.

The seminar was primarily focused on transport and trade facilitation through harmonization of border and customs mechanisms among Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan. The main objective of the event was for participants to exchange best national practices, challenges and opportunities in these areas. Moreover, the OSCE developed an agenda for the next targeted interventions to facilitate trade and transport throughout the region.

During the conference, Mr. Bolkvadze discussed the key competitiveness factors for the Caucasus Transit Corridor (CTC) with a special emphasis placed on the under-construction Anaklia Deep-Sea Port in Georgia, which, when built, will be strategically significant for the entire region.

“The construction of the deep-sea port at Anaklia will guarantee competitive market prices on port operations and will also encourage current port operators to think strategically and look for new cargo opportunities,” said Mr. Bolkvadze.

The conference was followed by the national seminar on May 23-24, which had the aim of elaborating recommendations for the implementation of related transport and trade policies in Turkmenistan.