Kazakhstan is considering joining the Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Cross-border Paperless Trade in the Asia-Pacific Region

This was announced today at the Central Asian Trade Forum, held in Astana, by Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev.

In his speech, Kairat Torebayev noted that trade in the region is undergoing a stage of great transformation.

- In recent years, work has been actively carried out to simplify trade procedures and transition to paperless trade. Digitalization of customs procedures is a key factor in increasing regional trade, and as a result, the economic growth of our countries. The Ministry of Trade pays great attention to the development of trade cooperation with the Central Asian countries, and digitalization and harmonization of customs procedures will help deepen trade cooperation between our countries. The issue of Kazakhstan's accession to the Framework Agreement on the Simplification of Cross-border Paperless Trade in the Asia-Pacific region is being considered, the Vice Minister of Trade stressed.

Despite the turmoil of the past eight months and the disruption of logistics chains around the world, trade ties within Central Asia remain strong.  There is an upward trend in the mutual trade of the Central Asian countries. In 2017-2021, intraregional trade increased by 84% (from $4.6 to $8.5 billion). In 2021, trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries increased by 40%. For 7 months of 2022, the trade turnover of Kazakhstan with the Central Asian countries amounted to 4.1 billion US dollars

The 12th annual Central Asian Trade Forum is supported by  United States Agencies for International Development (USAID)  on the topic "Digitalization of customs services: towards paperless trade". This is the main international two-day event for the development of interconnections and trade.