Kazakhstan and OECD Collaborate on Trade and Transport Connectivity
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev participates in business meeting with OECD experts
Kazakh Minister of Trade and Integration Arman Shakkaliyev recently attended a business meeting on Feb. 1, where Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) experts presented new reports on Trade Facilitation in Central Asia and on Realizing the Potential of the Middle Corridor, as reported by the ministry’s press service.
The OECD report focused on the development of trade relations among Central Asian countries and Kazakhstan’s export ecosystem, highlighting the positive results achieved by countries in the region in simplifying and optimizing trade procedures and automating customs operations.
During the meeting, William Tompson, Head of the OECD Eurasia Division, emphasized the importance of integration, upgrading infrastructure, and removing barriers to trade to address the challenges caused by geopolitical events. Shakkaliyev also highlighted the growing mutual trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Central Asian countries, with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan being the leading trading players in the region.
Gregory Lecomte, Head of Central Asia Unit, presented key points of the reports on trade and transport connectivity and provided recommendations for improvement of trade procedures, including boosting digitalization and building up infrastructure to enhance intra-regional and inter-regional freight of goods.
The event also stressed the importance of developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), or the Middle Corridor, with the aim of connecting Central Asia and Europe and ensuring the transit of goods. Kazakh Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev shared information about the dynamic development of transport logistics in the region, highlighting the increase in cargo deliveries to Europe through the TITR.
The OECD report on the potential of the Middle Corridor includes infrastructure development along the route and related services, with efforts underway to simplify trade procedures and expand trade cooperation with Central Asian countries. Deputy General Director of QazTrade Nurlan Kulbatyrov noted that implementing OECD recommendations and transitioning to paperless trade will lead to a 30% increase in trade turnover in the medium term, which is a priority indicator for Kazakhstan.
The business meeting concluded with the participants expressing confidence in strengthening cooperation on the current agenda and deepening collaboration in critical areas. The insights and recommendations presented by the OECD experts are expected to contribute to further enhancing trade facilitation and economic integration in the region.
