Simplification of Procedures For Transporters and Forwarders: View From the Private Sector Alexandriopolis,2004

INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT cost-efficient flexible unique convenience to door-to-door delivery the heart of the European economy serves as a bridge between the business world and suppliers and consumers

INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT In the EUROPEAN UNION 76 % of goods purchased, sold, produced and traded are carried by ROAD while more than 45 % of the transport demand involves ROAD transport

IMPORTANCE OF ROAD TRANSPORT MAJOR SECTOR IN NATIONAL ECONOMIES HIGH % OF NATIONAL GDP

MINIMIZING ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ROAD TRANSPORT TRANSPORT OPERATORS DO THEIR HOMEWORK ! Reducing accidents Reducing environmental damage Reducing fuel consumption Increasing safety and efficiency Investing in technology and innovation

EXISTING BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT Complex and time-consuming customs clearance and visa procedures Approvals from several authorities are needed for obtaining required certificates and documents Repetitive inspections (e.g. roadblocks) Lack of transparency and barriers to access information

BARRIERS TO INTERNATIONAL ROAD TRANSPORT Imposition of such barriers by national authorities ≠ Efforts laid down by the industry on behalf of the international trade

WE ASK GOVERNMENTS TO SOLVE problems related to border delays TAKE MEASURES to adopt simplified and harmonised procedures on the basis of many existing UNECE Regulations and Conventions, DECREASE number of authorities and ENSURE flexibility in enforcement of international standards,

WE ASK GOVERNMENTS TO INTRODUCE “one-stop” or “single window” technology, TRAIN border personnel and transport operators, INVEST in infrastructure, FACILITATE the issuance of annual and multi-entry visas to professional drivers, ensuring fair and efficient fiscal treatment of the road transport industry,

SIMPLIFICATION OF PROFESSIONAL VISA IN SECI REGION BILATERAL AND MULTILATERAL ARRANGEMENTS BY SECI MEMBER STATES organising special desks issuing 1-year multiple-entry visas facilitation for frequent entries acceptance of pre-determined documents Use of intermediaries (eg; PRO Committees)

SIMPLIFICATION OF VISA - EXAMPLES - EXCHANGE OF LISTINGS OF PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS REGULARLY REQURING VISAS TURKEY- BULGARIA TURKEY- UKRAINE TURKEY – ROMANIA Listings are exchanged via diplomatic channels Deposited to the relevant diplomatic misson Plans for a region-wide multilateral agreement

VISA OFFICE Facilitates visa procedures for the industry professionals Facilitates visa procedures for the society (UK Visas since 2003) Visa facilitation for 10 countries In 2003 20.000 visas were provided

SIMPLIFICATION OF TRANSPORT PROCEDURES SECI BSEC UNECE ECMT EU IRU TRACECA

PROJECTS ON FACILITATION OF TRANSPORT SECI TURK-PRO : International Vehicle Weight Certificate Facilitation of visa for professional drivers BSEC : Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for Lorry Drivers’ : Agreement on Simplification of Visa Procedures for Businessmen in the BSEC Member States BSEC-URTA : International Vehicle Weight Certificate TRACECA : TRACECA Visa : Harmonization of Border Crossing Procedures IRU : Resolution on the issuance of visas to professional drivers NEED FOR URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF “Memorandum of Understanding on the Facilitation of International Road Transport of Goods in the SECI Region “- Article 10

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE SECI: 1999 Memorandum on the introduction of an International Vehicle Weight Certificate BSEC, SECI and CIS cooperate under the umbrella of UN/ECE with coordination of IRU Aim : Single and one-off certification = uninterrupted flow of goods within SECI and beyond

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE WEIGHT CERTIFICATE NEW ANNEX 8 to 1982 Convention on Harmonization of Frontier Controls of Goods IVWC is included in the Annex ! 38 contracting states including 15 EU Member countries Recently , CIS STATES adopted the IVWC PROJECT !

KAPIKULE-KAPITAN ANDREEVO ADVANCE INFORMATION RELAY PROJECT advance information through an on-line portal truck information available when it arrives at the border Memorandum of Understanding between the customs undersecretariats of Bulgaria and Turkey 2 proposals : 1- flow of data to be provided by Undersecretariat of Customs 2- direct access by companies

SINGLE WINDOW PAYMENT TURK PRO and BUL PRO: collection of various charges related to transport by one single body linking all relevant agencies through computerised information systems at Kapitan Andreevo - Kapikule border crossings dedicated working groups and pilot projects by PRO Committees from ROMANIA, ALBANIA, CROATIA,MACEDONIA, GREECE AND SERBIA-MONTENEGRO

TRANSPORT INFORMATION NETWORK –ULAŞNET (TURKEY) UND – TURKISH MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT – TURKISH UNDERSECRETARIAT OF CUSTOMS collect and record information on all drivers crossing 15 Turkish borders (data on load, company,driver,route) facilitate and accelerate customs procedures avoid unfair competition

UND-VIALTIS VAT RETURN SERVICE international road transport operators the opportunity to reimburse huge amounts of foreign currency previously left abroad avoiding payment of very high commissions and unnecessary consultancy charges. Since January 2003, 250 member companies were reimbursed VAT returns amounting to over € 4.000.000 UND-ESSO Fuel Cards: discounts, electronic payment, express VAT collection by global receipts.

FACILITATION :UND VEHICLE TRACKING AND FLEET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Developed by UND Based on GPRS technology Used by transporters, forwarders and exporters can determine the exact location of their vehicles on Internet and can control them Drivers may send alarm messages On-board communication units Users can receive information on position, speed, petrol consumption, temperature Becoming wide-spread (incorporated into contracts)

ENCOURAGING IMPROVEMENTS CONCLUSIONS ENCOURAGING IMPROVEMENTS THANKS TO VALUABLE EFFORTS LAID BY GOVERNMENTS AND THE INDUSTRY TOWARDS FACILITATION OF TRANSPORT AND TRADE

WE HAVE IMPORTANT TASKS We have to do a lot to move ahead if we aim an actual free movement of goods and a TRUE GLOBALISATION

LIBERALIZATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT “any penalty on road transport is an even bigger penalty on the economy as a whole”

LIBERALIZATION OF ROAD TRANSPORT “The longest journeys start with a small step forward”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE