Trade, investment, tourism and transport corridors: the Central Asian Economic Forum take place in Tashkent
15/03/2019 19:31
Trade, investment, tourism and transport corridors: the Central Asian Economic Forum take place in Tashkent
15/03/2019 19:31
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Central Asian Economic Cooperation Forum opened in the narrow format of the heads of delegations of five Central Asian republics consisting of Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Elyor Ganiyev, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic K. Boronov, Deputy Prime Minister Of the Republic of Kazakhstan Z.Kasymbek, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan M.Zokirzoda and Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan E.Annamuhamedov.
The parties noted with satisfaction the intensification of intercountry cooperation in all areas observed in recent periods, which was reflected primarily in the tangible growth in commodity circulation and the strengthening of business interaction between business circles.
It has been repeatedly underlined that the economies of the Central Asian republics in many areas are complementary, in the light of which it is strategically important to maintain, strengthen and expand existing industrial and commercial relations by searching for mutually beneficial solutions and points of contact.
Then the heads of delegations took part in the plenary meeting of the CAECF forum. More than 200 participants representing international organizations, heads of local authorities, representatives of business circles, expert-analytical community of the Central Asian region, as well as potential foreign investors have submitted their applications to participate in this event.
Deputy Prime Minister E. Ganiyev welcomed the guests as forum organizers. In his welcoming speech, he noted that being in the very center of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is interested in the region becoming a zone of stability, sustainable development and prosperity, and also being in ongoing and constructive cooperation in order to strengthen good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries.
“This can be achieved by creating favorable conditions for trade, developing mutual markets, expanding transport communications, boosting investment activity, and of course, encouraging direct contacts between entrepreneurs and business associations of the two countries,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
J.Kasymbek, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who in turn noted that the trade turnover of Kazakhstan over the past 10 years with the countries of Central Asia has more than doubled and in 2018 it amounted to 4.3 billion dollars.
“Central Asia, with its significant energy capabilities, natural resources, transportation and communication networks, is becoming increasingly important geopolitical,” Boronov said in his report. “Our region has transit potential, is a large regional market with more than 70 million people and an annual 5 percent growth in the economy. The main source of impetus for the development of relations is the regular meetings of the heads of state: both in a bilateral format and within the framework of integration structures. In addition, our countries are actively involved in such international projects “One Belt - One Way”.
The role of Uzbekistan in expanding the partnership was noted: last year in Astana, at the initiative of the head of the republic Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for the first time in 13 years, a meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries was held. Moreover, during the discussion, it was proposed to create a Center for International Trade and Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, taking into account the opening of a new high-tech customs point. This step, according to participants, will contribute to the growth of trade and increase the tourist flow.
In turn, K. Boronov, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, in his speech focused on the development of the trade, economic and tourism potential of countries, noting the need to use the strengths of each country. In particular, it was noted that the Kyrgyz Republic has the status of a universal system of preferences VSP +, which gives the right to Kyrgyz producers to export to Europe at zero tariff rates of about 6 thousand commodity items, which could also interest representatives of business circles of other countries.
In turn, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan M. Zokirzoda urged to unite the efforts of Central Asian countries to develop measures to protect the Central Asian region from increasing global threats: issues of food security, access to clean drinking water and preservation of water resources, which is especially important against the background of predicted growth population of the region.
At the end of the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance of Turkmenistan, E.Annamuhamedov, spoke at the plenary meeting, stressing that each of the Central Asian countries is currently forming its own economic development model, providing for the most harmonious integration into the world economic space. It was also announced that in this regard, ensuring close cooperation in the field of transport and the development of transport infrastructure is one of the key areas of cooperation.
Communicating in their opinions, the heads of delegations highlighted the initiative to create a single visa for the states of Central Asia Silk-visa, which will contribute to the development of interregional tourism, as well as attracting additional investment in the region of the country.
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