Tajikistan’s lower chamber (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of parliament has ratified the protocol amending the government-to-government agreement between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan on international road traffic, says the press center of the Ministry of transport of Tajikistan (MoT).
Presenting the document to lawmakers, the Minister of Transport, Azim Ibrohim, noted that the proposed amendments provide for simplifying transit passage of trucks through the territories of the two countries.
He reportedly emphasized that every year, Tajikistan’s vehicles make more than 36,000 transit trips through the territory of Uzbekistan.
“After ratification of the protocol transit passage of trucks through the territories of both countries will be carried out without permit forms,” the minister noted.
The key provision of the protocol is the simplification of transit cargo transportation between the two countries. Once ratified by both Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, transit cargo trucks will be able to pass through each other's territories without the need for permit forms ("dozvols"), significantly easing the process.
The "dozvol" is a one-time authorization document that allows a vehicle registered in one country to transport cargo through or to another country. Each "dozvol" has a unique number and is used for specific shipments, including heavy, oversized, or hazardous cargo. Once the cargo is cleared at customs, the permit is closed and cannot be reused. In Tajikistan, these permits are issued by the State Service for Supervision and Regulation of Transport under the Ministry of Transport, often for a fee through logistics companies.
According to a MoT, over 1,200 transit cargo transports pass through both countries annually, and this number is expected to grow with increased cooperation.
The ministry emphasized that the simplification of transport between Tajikistan and other CIS countries, including Uzbekistan, through the elimination of permits will reduce delivery times and lower the risk of cargo damage. These measures align with Tajikistan's strategic goal of becoming a regional transit hub
In recent years, Tajik cargo transporters have expressed frustration over delays in implementing transit without permits. Earlier complaints involved high costs for permits obtained through intermediaries, and in 2021, these issues even led to a truckers' protest outside the Ministry of Transport.
