The first ever road movement of NLC trucks under International Road Transport (TIR) received an overwhelming response from the government and business communities of Turkey and Azerbaijan. The successful run of TIR operation was made possible with all out support of Iran. Special ceremonies were held at Istanbul and Baku to mark establishment of the historic road connectivity between the brotherly countries in the region. The reception ceremony held at Murat Bey Customs Post, Istanbul was attended by senior officials of Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of Trade, Chamber of Commerce & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), ECO Secretariat, Transport Ministry of Iran and representatives of Turkish logistics industry. Pakistan Ambassador to Turkey, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Umberto de Pretto, Secretary General of Geneva based IRU were also present on the occasion. The participants termed the initiative by NLC as a major step towards markets integration and enhancing trade between Pakistan and Turkey. Ambassador Syrus Qazi highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s focus on geo-economics and how regional connectivity was crucial to achieve this end. “The landmark step will strengthen road connectivity between Pakistan and Turkey which will ultimately help in promotion of bilateral trade”, he said. The Ambassador noted that operationalization of TIR will reduce the cost and transportation time for the business communities of both the countries. A similar ceremony was also held at Baku Hilton to welcome the launching of TIR operations by NLC to Azerbaijan. Senior representatives of Azerbaijan’s government departments (Customs, transport service, ABADA, export promotion organization (Azpromo)), Ambassadors of Pakistan to Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan Ambassador to Pakistan, exporters and representatives of logistics companies attended the ceremony. Exporters and logistics companies of Azerbaijan evinced keen interest in the TIR operations. Both the Ambassadors lauded NLC for establishing road connectivity between the two brotherly countries. The ambassadors vowed to play their due roles in further facilitation of TIR operations. Anar Razyev Deputy Head of Road Transport Service of Azerbaijan felicitated NLC for providing new avenues to business community for enhancing bilateral trade. He hoped that TIR will immensely facilitate linkage of Azerbaijan to East and Far East, whereas Pakistani exporters would benefit through existing links of Azerbaijan with Europe, Russia and other CARs.