Arman Shakkaliyev took part in the C5+1 Ministerial Conference in Samarkand

On October 24, the C5+1 Ministerial Conference was held in Samarkand. The C5+1 format is the main diplomatic platform for the interaction of the Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with the US government.

The Central Asian region demonstrates high population growth dynamics with a high proportion of the younger generation. The Central Asian countries complement each other in ensuring food security and become a food hub for third countries.

The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the Central Asian countries increased by a quarter last year and amounted to $7.9 billion, due to an increase in exports of Kazakh products by 26.7% and imports from Central Asian countries by 23.1%.

In his speech, Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev noted that the Central Asian region is becoming a key link in global transport and plays an important role as a continental bridge in the North-South and East-West directions.

Kazakhstan has become the most important transport and logistics center of Eurasia, offering 11 international transit routes - 5 railways and 6 highways.

«We are also ready to contribute to the protection of global supply chain networks. The Central Trans-Caspian Network is defined as the most stable transport network connecting Central Asia with the Trans-European Transport Network. Over the past three years, container traffic on this route has increased more than 13 times», - Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arman Shakkaliyev said.

The development of the Trans-Caspian route is of great importance for Kazakhstan as a reliable supplier of energy resources and strategic goods to Europe and global markets, including the United States.

The head of MTI also noted that Kazakhstan's priorities for the development of its transport and logistics potential include plans to create a «container hub» based on the ports of Aktau and Kuryk, as well as the acquisition of new sea vessels.

«We are striving to strengthen our position as a Eurasian transport and logistics center, ensuring a significant role for the Central Asian region in global logistics. Kazakhstan is committed to further strengthening the C5+1 dialogue in many areas, including energy and environment, economic growth, peace and stability in Central Asia. We look forward to practical results within the framework of the C5+1 working groups», - Arman Shakkaliyev said.

Within the framework of the C5+ 1 Ministerial Conference on Interconnectedness, Arman Shakkaliyev also met with Samantha Power, Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID). During the meeting, issues of bilateral and regional cooperation were discussed, including issues of digitalization, ecology, renewable energy and prospects for the Middle Corridor.