Shaping the future of trade in the Central Asia - in the focus of discussions at the 13th Central Asia Trade Forum

The two-day Forum acts as a platform for the interactive exchange of views, knowledge and experience on enriching the traditional range of regional trade opportunities, thereby offering participants new perspectives and reinforcing the implementation of innovative strategies in the field of new market research, logistics and trade regulation.

The first day of the Forum provided a wide dialogue platform for discussing issues related to unveiling new markets and transport and logistics optimization.

Moderated by the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Mr. Asset Assavbayev, Session 2 was aimed at discussing issues of increasing the effectiveness of interconnectivity in the region and deepening regional cooperation to ensure unhindered trade in Central Asia.

Within the framework of this Session, industry experts and leaders representing various fields and having extensive experience on the topics discussed, spoke wherein they deeply analysed the issues of supply chain optimization, cross-border transportation, and shared the latest achievements in logistics management.  

The key speakers of the Session held in the format of a live discussion, were representatives from the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Trans Caspian International Transport Route, the Batumi Sea Port, the Supervisory Board of NurZholCompany LLP, the Association of International Road Carriers of Uzbekistan (AIRCUZ), the USAID's Trade Central Asia, etc.  

During the moderation of Session 2, the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Mr. Assavbayev A.A., paid special attention to the topic of diversification of transport corridors "In recent years, we have witnessed the constantly changing international market conditions, the blocking of supply chains and the search for optimal cargo routes. The geopolitical situation in the world affects trade and transport more than ever before, as the sanctions pressure is increasing on the transport infrastructure. Therefore, the countries of Central Asia pay great attention to the reorientation of cargo flows to ensure the movement of exports and support foreign economic relations. All this leads to the diversification of transport corridors and the search for new routes."

Mr. Asset Assavbayev emphasized the importance of the TRACECA corridor as a connecting link between the countries of Europe and Central Asia, which was "noted in the framework of many studies on this topic."

The second day of the Forum was devoted to the topic of Pakistan-Kazakhstan trade opportunities for women-owned businesses, and also covered the Regional Meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committees (NTFCS) of Central Asian countries, aimed at discussing national and regional plans for the implementation of trade facilitation measures.