TRADE FACILITATION IN THE CAUCASUS

The report below is the outcome of a regional trade facilitation audit using a standard World Bank methodology in Armenia, Azerbaidjan and Georgia. The purpose of this audit was to examine and evaluate difficulties and obstacles presented to the cross-frontier movement of routine consignments and their associated payments. The resulting work provides some concrete recommendations to expedite trade, vehicle and passenger flows within the region and where possible, with neighboring states. This study was prepared considering potential progress towards the re-opening of borders in the region, in the event that a peace agreement is reached in Nagorno- Karabakh. The study considered, wherever possible, the impact that such a development would have on potential trade flows between the three countries and with regional neighbors, especially Turkey.

Trade Facilitation in the Caucasus