Uzbekistan has become the latest country to join the World Logistics Passport (WLP), a Dubai-driven private sector initiative that aims to provide gateway benefits through priority handling and faster clearance, among other privileges pledged to members.
It was launched in 2019, and supply-chain restrictions and challenges caused by Covid-19 have seen the WLP rapidly expanding its network.
In addition to South Africa, other countries that have signed up for streamlined trade flows and improved market access, as guaranteed by the WLP, include Thailand, Brazil, Senegal, Kazakhstan, and of course the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
A statement released after the latest member affiliation was announced last week, said: “The WLP will bring increased traffic and revenues for Uzbekistani traders, will increase visibility of Uzbekistan to the WLP global network, and will boost global connectivity.
“With the World Bank predicting that the country’s economy will grow by 4.8% in 2021, this partnership is set to spur trade between Uzbekistan and the world.
“Uzbekistan is Central Asia’s largest consumer market, and a leading exporter of cherries, apricots, and carrots.
“With its growing economy driving domestic consumption, complemented by demand for exports, the country’s trading ecosystem is set to unlock numerous benefits.”
The latest WLP addition adds yet more support for the UAE’s logistics objective, aiding the Persian Gulf country’s ambitions to expand its “new Silk Route hub”, with Dubai at its centre, by promising reduced supply-chain costs and increased trade volumes.
It also comes at a time when countries increasingly intervene on behalf of freight forwarding interests in a bid to come up with consolidated solutions against rising ocean freights rates.