The Forum was attended by representatives of the customs administrations of Central Asia to discuss current work on the development of digital solutions and services, the introduction of advanced technologies (such as the use of big data, telematics and cloud services), improving operational efficiency and rethinking the methods of customs services.
More than 200 representatives of the customs administrations of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Korea, Latvia and the United States came together to explore a wide range of advanced digital tools and technologies.
Laura Chizmo, Director of the Economic Development Department of the USAID Regional Mission in Central Asia, noted that: "This trade forum has been held annually since 2011. Thus, the forum continues the tradition of cooperation between the United States and the countries of Central Asia, which began in the twentieth century."
The USAID Trade Program in Central Asia is the organizer of the Central Asian Trade Forum in partnership with the State Revenue Committee of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the State Customs Service under the Ministry of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, as well as media representing Astana Times, Business World magazine, Kazakhstan Press Club, Kapital.kz, Profit.kz and Trans Logistics.
The participants discussed the agenda of the digital reform of the customs service: the latest innovations and the role of digital law enforcement; acceleration of digitalization to increase transit potential and simplify trade procedures; Trans-Caspian International Transport Route; international transit systems; regional cooperation within the framework of national trade promotion committees, anti-corruption measures that can improve customs policy and its implementation, as well as increase the collection of duties and taxes and the exchange of preliminary information.
Central Asia has undergone great changes. Intraregional trade has doubled in the last five years alone. The trade of Central Asian countries with the outside world is also growing dynamically. In five years, trade has increased by 54% and now stands at $167 billion. Trade is currently the main driver of economic growth throughout the region.
Over the past ten years, thanks to this landmark forum, USAID has brought together more than 10,000 participants from more than 42 countries to work together to improve interconnections, increase competitiveness and expand trade for accelerated economic recovery and sustainability in Central Asia.
