BSEC-URTA and OFAE’s Site Visit to Kipi BCP
333.
333 is the weekly average number of trucks entering from Kipi to Ipsala, Türkiye.
If we compare the number of trucks at one of the United States BCPs with Mexico, we are short by 17,667 trucks.
But this doesn’t mean things won’t change in Kipi, and long-awaited improvements in the Kipi BCP, the important transit gates of the BSEC region, won’t happen.
On 11.07.2024, Mehmet Uylukcu, the Secretary General of BSEC-URTA, merrily participated in a visit organized by OFAE to pay respects to the newly appointed Director of Customs in Kipi, Mr. Christos Nakos. During the visit, the delegations discussed the challenges and necessary improvements in Kipi. This was made possible through the efforts and coordination of Apostolos Kenanidis, the President of OFAE and Vice President of BSEC-URTA. The Deputy Regional Governor of Evros attended the visit, the Commander of the Hellenic Police, and the Head of Phyto and Veterinary Controls.
During the visit, it was noted that the Greece government has decided to restructure the Kipi BCP and has allocated funds to complete the reconstruction. The plan is to rehabilitate the current lanes and move the phytosanitary procedures to a new area with a new lane dedicated to phytosanitary goods. The construction is expected to commence in the upcoming Autumn, and the bridge surface (asphalt) will also be renewed. It was emphasized by the Kipi Customs Director and the delegation that the construction should not disrupt routine operations.
Upon completion of the construction, passages from the BCP are expected to be faster and easier than they are now. A follow-up meeting in Ipsala BCP is agreed upon for the near future, and BSEC-URTA will closely monitor the improvements in the Kipi BCP in cooperation with OFAE.
As the BSEC-URTA International Secretariat, we extend our best wishes for success to Mr. Christos Nakos, Kipi Customs, for their future work, as well as to the Greek Government for their attention and financial support for the Kipi BCP and international road transport.
