Kazakhstan ratifies simplified customs corridor agreement for Organization of Turkic States members

ASTANA. Sept 23 (Interfax) - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed the law ratifying the agreement between Organization of Turkic States members on the creation of a simplified customs corridor, Tokayev's press service said.

Initiated by the Istanbul-based OTS, the agreement aims to streamline and expedite customs procedures for goods and vehicles moving between member states. Under the agreement, information exchange will be conducted voluntarily for cargo managed by trade operators using the simplified customs corridor.

Benefits for trade operators in this corridor include priority customs processing at checkpoints, reduced customs formalities where possible, including green lanes to speed up processing, and exemption from customs inspections at checkpoints unless there is a risk of violating customs laws.

The agreement is open-ended, with any member state able to withdraw by providing written notice through diplomatic channels.

The OTS members are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Hungary and Turkmenistan are observers.