BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 21. Increasing the capacity of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) is a priority for the UK government for diversifying supply routes from East to West, Kenan Poleo, HM Trade Commissioner for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, told Trend.
According to the trade commissioner, the TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, is important for the region's economy and its importance after the Russia-Ukraine war started has increased even further.
"It can become alternative or supplementary transit route for exports from China to Europe. The countries of the region started to work seriously on increase of the potential for TITR. We understand that there is a need for investment to develop capacity and tackle various administrative and technical bottlenecks along the route, such as integrating document exchange and customs systems of the route countries, increasing vessel capacity to name a few," he said.
Poleo pointed out that this requires joint efforts of the Trans-Caspian route countries, and the UK is ready to provide the required support whether it is related to digitization or capacity building for the ports, helping secure financing, engaging private sector, or helping optimize railways operations.
He noted that the UK intends to intensify cooperation with the countries of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
"I oversee trade work across 14 countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Recent data shows a 44 billion pounds trading relationship between the UK and these 14 countries. Central Asia is a key part of our success. That’s why we’ve recently invested more trade resource into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan where think there is scope to do even more," the trade commissioner concluded.