Organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) since 2009, the forum is the region’s leading platform for sharing best practices and knowledge in trade facilitation.
Over 250 foreign guests from more than 30 countries, including representatives of more than ten international organizations, are taking part in the current forum.
Addressing the forum, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Khurram Teshabayev highlighted the widespread introduction of innovative technologies and digitalization, which increased production volumes and international trade. At the same time, ensuring stable supplies of food and agricultural products in the region remain relevant.
In this context, international cooperation in trade, transport, and logistics, digitalization, simplifying trade procedures through electronic data exchange, and developing new business mechanisms are of great importance. Among the most effective measures were highlighted to create modern trade and logistics centers, simplified customs corridors, and special economic zones in border areas.
The importance of ensuring equal access to modern technologies for all countries, taking the most effective measures to simplify procedures in trade and transportation of goods, and digitalization of processes regulating the movement of goods was noted.
The event participants emphasized the importance of increasing Central Asia’s transport potential, promoting projects for the construction of new transport corridors to enter the markets of the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia and the Middle East, and the European Union, using intermediate tariffs that are convenient for business.
Also, within the framework of the forum, several meetings were held, during which the current state and plans to increase the volume of cooperation in Uzbekistan, both with partner countries and international organizations, were discussed.
Following the forum’s program, which will continue until April 5, group discussions and sessions are planned on aspects of trade facilitation and digitalization, including cross-border paperless trade and transport and greening the trade process.
UzA
