REGIONAL MEETING OF NATIONAL TRADE FACILITATION COMMITTEES

Almaty hosted the seventh regional meeting of national trade facilitation committees, which was attended by representatives of the public and private sectors of the Central Asian countries, international experts, employees of the Union of Transport Workers of Kazakhstan “KAZLOGISTICS”.

On the first day, a virtual study tour was organized to get acquainted with the best practices of Georgia and Latvia in reforming customs administration, coordinating and managing procedures at the border, introducing digital technologies that make it possible to simplify and speed up the procedures for clearing goods at the border. The experience of these countries is of particular interest, as they are important transit countries for entering European markets.

The virtual study tour was made possible thanks to the support of GIZ in cooperation with the European Union’s BOMCA10 program and the State Revenue Services of Latvia and Georgia. Although the virtual format will not replace real study trips, partners will be able to take this tour an unlimited number of times with any number of participants.

The second and third days of the meeting were devoted to discussing the development of interagency and cross-border cooperation, strengthening public-private dialogue and discussing mechanisms for sustainable cooperation within the framework of the Regional Platform of the National Committees for Trade Facilitation of the Central Asian countries.

Representatives of the private sector had the opportunity to discuss topical issues and proposals for further facilitation of trade procedures in the region, including further digitalization of transport and transit procedures, development of alternative transport corridors, introduction of green corridors for perishable products at the regional level.

The event, supported by the GIZ Project “Trade Facilitation in Central Asia”, has become a unique platform for the exchange of experience, networking and solving topical issues for the further development of regional trade and cooperation between the countries of Central Asia.

Within the framework of the regional meeting, the Central Asian Conference on Leadership and Cooperation of Women in Trade was held. For a day and a half, women from the public and private sectors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan working in the field of trade and trade facilitation discussed the role of gender in their field of work.

During the event, organized only for women, the participants shared their experiences, communicated and received trainings aimed at developing leadership skills.