DUSHANBE, July 6, 2010, Asia-Plus — Iranian entrepreneurs working in Tajikistan have complained about loss of freight during rail transit via the territory of Uzbekistan, Mr. Abbas Bayani, Counselor for Economic Affairs, Iranian Embassy in Dushanbe, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, the embassy cannot investigate into these complaints for the simple reason that they are verbal and are not documented. “We have asked the entrepreneurs to submit documented facts of freight losses,” said Bayani, “Only after that, we can apply to the relevant bodies of Uzbekistan.”
Iranian diplomat noted that short delivery could be confirmed if all freights were entered in the customs declaration. “Otherwise, all claims are senseless,” he added.
We will recall that Andrey Tropin, the deputy head of the shipment department of Tajik Railways, told Asia-Plus on June 30 that cases of theft of freight bound for Tajikistan on Uzbek territory have been reported. According to him, the cargo theft cases have been taking place most likely during customs control at the Uzbek railroad station Kudukli. “Customs officers have the right to check the freight cars but we cannot control the whole customs control process,” said Tajik railroad official, “Short delivery is revealed when freight cars arrive in Tajikistan.” Tropin noted that the Tajik state rail company had received a number of applications from Tajik entrepreneurs on that subject and the issue was currently being discussed with the Uzbek side. According to him, Afghan and Iranian entrepreneurs have also applied to Tajik Railways over freight losses.
