Improving Customs Transit Systems
In the Islamic Countries
95
people and goods through the member countries, advancing external trade and improving
means of communication and transport. 22 OIC MS participate in the CEN-SAD.
GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area) - GAFTA is an Arab free trade zone established in 1997
in order to strengthen economic relationships between the member states, provide the best
conditions for growing their economies, develop resources and ensure the prosperity of the
GAFTA countries. One of the most important agreements is an agreement to simplify the transit
of goods and persons. 18 OIC MS take part in the GAFTA.
COMESA (The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) - COMESA is a free trade
region established in 1994 with 21 member states where six are OIC MS. When it comes to CTR,
in order to reduce cross-border transit costs, COMESA is promoting the Regional Customs
Transit Guarantee Scheme (RCTG), as a single bond that would facilitate intra-regional trade
between countries and ensure fast-track movement of goods in the COMESA region.
TRACECA (Europe-Caucasus-Asia International Transport Corridor) - TRACECA was
established in 1993, as an international transport program, which includes the EU and 13
countries in the regions of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The primary purpose
of TRACECA is to facilitate access to the international road, air and railway network and
infrastructure, to improve the conditions and volumes of the international transport of goods
and passengers and achieve harmonization of the transport and trade policies as well as the
legal environment among the TRACECA members. 6 OIC MS are members of TRACECA.
GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) - GCC was established in 1981, with the purpose to develop a
Customs union, common market, and a common currency for all the Member States and thus
facilitate the trade of goods and encourage trade between the Member States. All six GCC
countries are OIC MS.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) - ASEAN was established in 1967, with one
of the purposes to stimulate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development by
joint efforts in the spirit of equality and partnership. The ASEAN Customs Administrations
perform a crucial role in the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community for free goods
flow as a part of the single market. Three OIC MS are members of ASEAN.
EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) - EAEU, as an economic union of states, was established in
2000 with the purpose to increase cooperation and economic competitiveness, and the
promotion of stable development in order to raise the standard of living in their Member States.
The Customs transit arrangement in the EAEU is similar to the EU Common Transit. Two OIC MS
is also a part of the EAEU (Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan).