Study on Software Support to the Operationalization of Transport Corridors in the Greater Tumen Region
Priority Sector: Transport
Project Location: China, Republic of Korea, Mongolia, Russia
Timeframe: January-June 2014
Estimated Budget: USD 16,000
Sources of Funding: GTI and ROK
Project Status: completed in June 2014
Background
GTI Strategic Action Plan 2006-2015, amended by GTI member-countries in 2012, sets “Deregulation of the border-crossing procedures for the efficient movement of goods and passengers in the GTR (Greater Tumen Region)” as one of eight strategic objectives for GTI cooperation. Importance of removing of non-physical bottlenecks and of improving software of the transport networks is later reflected in the specific objectives in transport sector as follows:
– Enhance transport and logistics physical infrastructure in the
– Simplify the cross-border transportation procedures and reduce non-physical obstacles;
– Develop efficient, safe and sustainable transport and logistics services in the
– Enhance smooth and seamless cross-border and transit movement of passengers and freight.
GTI Transport Board recognizes the key role of this aspect in promotion of transport network in GTR by dedicating subprogram 4 of the GTI Transport Cooperation Program 2010-2013 to the Cross-Border and Transit Facilitation.
Comprehensive Study on transportation corridors in GTR (Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Cross-Border Facilitation Study for trans-GTR Corridors), implemented as baseline situation estimation and planning effort, recommended for further direction of cooperative work signing of cross-border transport agreements (CBTAs) between GTI member states, sets of cross-border facilitation measures such as adoption of Single Window systems, agreement of vehicle standards, insurances, seals recognition, etc.
There are examples of CBTAs within regional cooperation groupings: Greater Mekong Subregion’s Cross Border Transport Agreement that started as tripartite Laos, Vietnam and Thailand CBTA and then get increased number of signatories, and CBTA that are being promoted under Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) framework.
In GTR, transport initiatives for regional transport agreements are: Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s negotiations on SCO Road Transportation Facilitation Agreement and Sea-Land Intermodal Transport Cooperation (2011). Both of them are not finalised yet.
Each of the aspects of measures for removing non-physical bottlenecks along the corridors deserves serious investigation. Most of them are considered by GTI Trade Facilitation Committee and its activities. CTBA on the other hand as specifically transport sector issue are the issue to be analysed within the GTI Transport Board framework.
Objective(s)
Development objective of the Study on Software Support to the Operationalization of Transport Corridors in the Greater Tumen Region is to create enabling environment for transport and logistics in the Greater Tumen Region.
The Study pursues the following goals:
– lay foundation for future dialogue on possible CBTAs in the region;
– strengthen capacity of GTI member countries to promote trans-GTR corridors by facilitating regulation in area of cross-border passenger and freight movements (export, import, transit).
Outputs & Activities
Desk Study of the following aspects:
– summary of existing bilateral arrangements for cross-border freight (export, import, transit) and passenger traffic: documentation needed and number of documentation; existence of mutual documentation recognition;
– implications of multilateral agreements GTI member-countries are signatories to on cross-border procedures within GTR;
– list of software bottlenecks that are not yet addressed by current cross-border arrangements for rail, road, maritime transport;
– examples of other regional cross-border agreements (GMS CBTA, CAREC CBTAs) and lessons for GTI member countries;
– recommendations on measures and provisions to take into account while creating CBTA/CBTAs within GTR.