The convoy crosses the Azerbaijani-Iranian border
Representatives of Azerbaijan's Land Transport Agency (AYNA) and the State Customs Committee visited the Julfa and Poldasht border checkpoints to address challenges in cargo transport and enhance border efficiency with Iran.
Discussions focused on cargo vehicle admission procedures, queue organization, and document processing protocols. Azerbaijan highlighted the challenges faced by its transport operators in Iran, including delays caused by frequent truck inspections. Officials noted the use of an AI-based automated risk analysis system on the Azerbaijani side to streamline vehicle checks.
While Azerbaijan's Julfa and Shahtakht checkpoints boast advanced infrastructure, including X-ray scanners for rapid inspections, Iranian checkpoints lack such equipment, increasing delays for high-risk vehicles. Iranian officials pledged to install X-ray systems soon.
Operating hours at border crossings were also discussed, with Azerbaijani representatives pointing out that Iran's limited nighttime operations and shorter hours at Shahtakht and Poldasht reduce throughput. Rectifying these issues could allow for processing 150-200 trucks daily at Shahtakht and 200-250 trucks at Julfa.
To reduce wait times at Iranian checkpoints, planned measures include optimizing border-crossing procedures, infrastructure upgrades, and the broader adoption of automated systems like AI-based risk analysis. Proposals also include delegating simpler inspection tasks between agencies to expedite processing and enhancing cross-border information exchange.
Azerbaijani officials raised specific concerns about language barriers, with a shortage of Russian-speaking Iranian customs and border staff slowing document processing, particularly for phytosanitary and veterinary certificates. Inadequate capacity at Iranian logistics terminals and inconsistent customs fees further complicate operations for Azerbaijani transporters.
The lack of stable internet connectivity on the Iranian side was highlighted as a critical obstacle, disrupting coordination between drivers and logistics companies.
Both sides aim to establish a more efficient border management system, addressing these issues to improve conditions for cargo transporters and reduce delays.
Economics
-
S&P Global Ratings has revised its risk assessment of Azerbaijan’s banking sector, upgrading the outlook from "stable" to "positive."
-
In recent days, there have been claims that bread prices in Azerbaijan have risen. Social media users report that the price of bread has increased by 5-10 qepiks. According to consumer complaints, it is difficult to find weight information on factory-produced bread, commonly known as "zavod çörəyi" in Azerbaijan. In many cases, bread packaging does not include weight details. Similarly, bread sold at smaller bakeries and tandir houses often lacks information apart from the price.
-
A trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers, transport ministers, energy ministers, and heads of customs services of Russia, Iran, and Azerbaijan is set to take place soon to discuss the progress of the Rasht-Astara railway project, a key element of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). This was announced by Iran’s Ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali.
-
Azerbaijan and Tatarstan continue to strengthen trade and economic cooperation, based on mutual interests in energy, mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, agriculture, and transport. Bilateral relations have shown steady growth, supported by regular visits of official delegations and participation in international economic forums.
Leave a review