TEHRAN, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Kazakhstan signed an agreement to boost cooperation in road transport, Eghtesad online news website reported Monday.
The agreement was signed during a meeting between a high-ranking delegation from Iran Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization and Kazakh officials in Astana on Saturday, said the report.
Reza Nafisi, an official from the Iranian side, said 1,000 transport licenses will be issued for trucks commuting between the two countries during the next fiscal year starting March 21, 2019.
According to Nafisi, the Kazakh officials expressed readiness to hold a joint meeting on launching a Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) route between Kazakh Aktau Port and one of the Iranian ports in the Caspian Sea.
Ro-Ro ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers and railroad cars, which are driven on and off the ship or use a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.
The transport model has significant advantages, such as considerably less travel time, speedy cargo handling and low costs.
Nafisi said the expansion of transit routes will enhance Iran's regional position, indicating the readiness of its private sector to invest in the plan.
The annual trade between Iran and Kazakhstan exceeds 400 million U.S. dollars and the two countries aim to increase the figure to 2 billion.
