Upper Lars border crossing’s capacity o increase by 30 percent – Armenian minister

YEREVAN, June 23. /ARKA/. The capacity of the Upper Lars checkpoint on the Russian-Georgian border will increase by 30%, Armenian Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan said today.

‘On June 20, the Russian government decided to open the second customs clearance zone near the checkpoint which according to our estimation should increase the capacity of the checkpoint by 30%-from present 400-450 vehicles per day to 600-700,’ said Kerobyan at a press briefing.

He said also that negotiations have been held with Georgian colleagues to make them include flowers and fish in the category of perishable goods, so that trucks loaded with these products reach the checkpoint without problems. 

Earlier, Armenia’s State Revenue Committee said that on June 20, the Russian Federal Customs Administration established a special lane for Armenian trucks going through the Upper Lars checkpoint, which will enable to process about 250 trucks additionally a day.

The additional checkpoint is expected to eliminate congestions and help effectively manage the lines.

The only overland route connecting Armenia and Russia passes through the Upper Lars checkpoint. In summer when the number of trucks transporting fruits, vegetables, and other perishable goods to Russia increases dramatically, huge lines are formed at the border checkpoint.

It is expected that after the reconstruction, which began in March 2021, the capacity of the check point will increase by 6.4 times to handle more than 2.5 thousand vehicles a day. -0-