Kazakhstan and Central Asia are working together to simplify trade procedures

Today, on May 11, 2022, a regional seminar- meeting on trade facilitation in Central Asia "From national roadmaps to regional reforms" was held in Nur-Sultan.

Key stakeholders from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan gathered to discuss common issues and joint solutions to simplify trade procedures with the subsequent deepening of intraregional and international trade.Representatives of authorized bodies, departments and associations, as well as representatives of the European Union and the International Trade Center also took part in it.

Within the framework of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project, which is funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Trade Center, a three-day regional meeting "From national roadmaps to regional reforms" was organized. The institutional partner of the project in Kazakhstan is JSC QazTrade.
It is noted that the Central Asian countries are important trading partners of Kazakhstan, and we attach great importance to the further development and deepening of trade and economic relations, especially the development of trade between our countries.

"I would especially like to note the positive dynamics in the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the countries of Central Asia. In 2021, the trade turnover amounted to 6.3 billion. $, which is 19.5% more compared to 2019 (5.3 billion $) and 33.8% more compared to 2020 ($4.7 billion)," Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Assel Zhanasova said.

She also noted that the Ministry of Trade and Integration pays great attention to the development and strengthening of cross-border cooperation in the Central Asian region, the measures taken can become a new incentive for deepening trade cooperation between the countries. This will be facilitated by the construction of the International Center for Trade and Economic Cooperation "Central Asia" on the border of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, as well as the Center for Cross-border Trade "Alatau" on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

"Improving transport infrastructure and logistics, reducing cargo delays at borders, reducing trade and transit tariffs in different Central Asian countries will have a positive impact on the region's economy. The Ministry of Trade and Integration supports all trade facilitation initiatives proposed by the ITC and is ready to discuss them," the Vice Minister concluded.

More than 80 participants from Central Asia and Europe discussed new trends and synergies in trade facilitation to deepen regional cooperation. The event became a platform for reaching consensus on procedural simplification reforms that require bilateral and regional coordination and prioritization of their implementation within the framework of the Ready4Trade project.

Ready4Trade Central Asia is aimed at supporting the development of intraregional and international trade in five Central Asian countries. The 4-year initiative is a trade component of a larger EU-funded program that aims to support investment, competitiveness and trade, thereby contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development in the region. The Ready4Trade project is funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Center.