Business news

MINSK, 7 October (BelTA) – The International Road Transport Union (IRU) is ready to provide comprehensive assistance to automobile transport initiatives in Belarus, BelTA learned from the Belarus government’s press service after Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Kalinin met with the IRU delegation led by Secretary General Umberto de Pretto on 7 October.

According to the source, the IRU representatives expressed interest in further cooperation with the Republic of Belarus and said the IRU was ready to provide comprehensive assistance to Belarus with regard to the implementation of road transport initiatives.

The IRU Secretary General mentioned the high level of professionalism demonstrated by Belarusian trucking companies, which occupy leading positions on the international market of freight transportation services. Participants of the meeting also discussed the development of automobile transport and Belarus’ role in ongoing integration processes in the region, the creation of the Eurasian Economic Union, the implementation of China’s Silk Road Economic Belt initiative. The possibility of Belarus becoming an important part of the Belt taking into account the rapidly developing logistics system and the creation of the China-Belarus Industrial Park was mentioned. The park may become a transshipment hub for cargoes being moved from Asia to Europe, stated the press service.

The IRU representatives were informed about promising development directions of the Belarusian automobile transport industry and about the country’s transit appeal, including in view of the geographical and geopolitical location.

The Belarusian side underlined the IRU’s significant role in taking care of the development of automobile freight and passenger transportation and in improving operation conditions of trucking companies.

The International Road Transport Union (IRU) was founded in Geneva in 1948. It operates in over 100 countries representing interests of passenger and freight automobile transport operators, taxi service operators at the national, regional and international levels. The IRU is intent on facilitating sustainable development of automobile transport, including by means of introducing innovations and professional training of the personnel.

The UN has authorized the IRU to administrate the global freight transportation system, which facilitates cargo clearance during border crossing procedures.