[Iran] - Tehran hosts intl. conference on Iran's rail transportation capacities

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
TEHRAN- The global conference to recognize the capabilities and capacities of rail transport of the Islamic Republic of Iran was held in
Tehran with the involvement of Uzbekistan, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan, IRIB reported on Tuesday.As
reported, the conference was focused on making Irans global rail transport capabilities more recognized, specifically the benefits of
international rail passages passing through Iran.Senior directors and agents of railways from Central Asian countries, consisting of
Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Russia, in addition to rail cargo forwarding business from Uzbekistan and
Russia, were present at this global gathering.Also, some Iranian global rail transportation companies took part in the one-day occasion to
provide their services and capabilities for global transportation and transit from Iran to the participants.Considering the tactical
position of Iran, along with the essential global rail passages from north to south and east to west that pass through the nation, along
with the connection of the train network of the Islamic Republic of Iran to open waters, Irans route is one of the fastest, best and most
affordable paths for rail transit from east to west, particularly the cargo transport of the landlocked countries of Central Asia to Europe,
India, in addition to transportation of transit cargo from the crucial ports of Iran.Back in October 2022, Tehran hosted a summit on transit
cooperation in between Iran and five Central Asian countries consisting of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and
Kyrgyzstan.According to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy Mehdi Safari, during the two-day occasion, difficulties and
chances of expanding transit collaboration between Iran and the pointed out Central Asian nations were explored
This event will lead to the adoption of a more collaborated policy amongst the present nations, and hopefully result in providing solutions
for the challenges relating to transit cooperation, Safari said at the opening ceremony of the summit.Also speaking at the summit, Deputy
Transport Minister Shahriyar Afandizadeh stated: Due to the development of the current useful and interactive atmosphere in the field of
international transport and transit among the present members, and considering Irans bilateral and multilateral contracts with other
countries, a brand-new chapter will be opened in the nations transportation and transit collaborations
The improvement of border traffic, digital development in transit procedures, assistance of embassy affairs and visa issuance for drivers,
in addition to continuous enhancement of tariffs and transit charges were among the significant objectives of the top, according to
Afandizadeh.Last month, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (referred to as RAI) stated the transportation index (TI), which
refers to the overall variety of person-kilometers and ton-kilometers, and is a sort of indicator of the total performance of the nations
railways, has grown by 4.6 percent in the nation in the first nine months of the present Iranian calendar year (March 21-Decemebr 21, 2022),
as compared to the very same period of the previous year.Making the remarks in a meeting with the board of directors of the Union of Rail
Transport Companies on Sunday, Miad Salehi stated, Despite the nations financial difficulties, the railway sector has actually taken
essential steps forward in the very first 9 months of this year
MA/MA