Turkmenistan and Iran have agreed to speed up customs procedures and increase the capacity of the Sarakhs border crossing. The two sides aim to ensure that at least 700 trucks cross the border through this checkpoint every day, with traffic coming from both countries. They also discussed expanding rail freight transportation and improving border infrastructure.

According to the publication “Vesti Kavkaza,” citing the press service of Iran’s Customs Administration, the issues were discussed at a meeting between representatives of the customs authorities of the two countries held at Iran’s Sarakhs border crossing.

The talks were attended by Farud Asgari, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance and head of the country’s Customs Administration, and Maksat Khudaikulyyev, Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to increase the number of trucks passing through the Sarakhs crossing to at least 350 from each side. This means they aim to facilitate the passage of at least 700 trucks per day through the border crossing in total.

The meeting also addressed measures to increase bilateral trade turnover, simplify customs procedures and develop trade cooperation.

A separate focus of the discussions was the development of rail freight transportation. Turkmenistan and Iran plan to work together to modernize railway infrastructure in the Sarakhs area and expand freight transport capacity. The parties also considered opportunities to develop infrastructure at the Lotfabad border crossing and facilitate the movement of vehicles.

According to Farud Asgari, strengthening cooperation in the customs sector will help increase foreign trade turnover and expand the role of both countries in international freight transportation. He also emphasized Iran’s readiness to develop cooperation with neighboring countries on transit transport corridors, trade and customs administration.

Maksat Khudaikulyyev, Chairman of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, noted that trade cooperation between Turkmenistan and Iran continues to strengthen. According to him, the digitalization of customs procedures and the simplification of foreign trade are among the priority areas of cooperation. Turkmenistan is ready to increase freight transit capacity by road and rail.