The Economic Forum of Central Asian States on the topic “Digital Economy, E-Commerce and Innovation” was held in Dushanbe

On September 14 of this year, within the framework of the Fifth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and the regular meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea, the Economic Forum of Central Asian States on the topic “Digital Economy, E-Commerce and Innovation” was held in Dushanbe.

The Forum was attended by ministers of Central Asian countries, including the Minister of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan Zavqizoda Z. A., Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kuchkarov J. A., Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kuantirov A. S, Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan S. A. Joraev, First Deputy Minister of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan O. A. Pekos, First Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. A. Tuleushin, Deputy Minister of Innovation, Industry and trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Teshabayev Kh. F. and Deputy Minister of Higher and Secondary Special Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan Buzrukhonov S. M., as well as more than 300 representatives of the public and private sectors of the countries of Central Asia.

Zavqizoda Z.A., opening the forum, stated that, as noted by the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, dear Emomali Rahmon, the Republic of Tajikistan attaches priority to expanding comprehensive cooperation with the countries of Central Asia in all areas, including trade, industry, digital economy, innovation and modern technologies, transport, energy, agriculture and tourism.

Based on the instructions and instructions of the Leader of the Nation, a number of significant works have been carried out in the country on the digitalization of the national economy, electronic commerce and simplification of trade procedures. In particular, the Concept and Program for the Development of the Digital Economy for 2021-2025 were adopted, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Electronic Commerce”, the Law of the Republic of Tajikistan “On Electronic Document and Electronic Signature” were adopted, and the Trade Portal of Tajikistan has been operating since 2019.

At the same time, Zavqizoda Z. A. noted that in 2022, the foreign trade turnover of the Republic of Tajikistan with the countries of Central Asia increased by 23 percent compared to 2021, and the share of Central Asian countries in the total trade turnover of the Republic of Tajikistan is 28.2 percent . The main trading partners of the Republic of Tajikistan are the countries of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

It has been noted that e-commerce accounts for 20 percent of global trade and industry experts estimate that it will grow to 25 percent by 2025.

It was noted that the GDP of the Central Asian region has increased 7 times over the past 20 years, and its average economic growth was achieved at 6.2%, which is 3.6 percentage points more than the growth of the world economy (2.6%) .

The share of Central Asia in global GDP according to PPP increased by 1.8 times, foreign trade turnover by 6 times, the volume of accumulated incoming direct investment in the region by 17 times, and the turnover of foreign trade in goods of Central Asian countries by 6 times.

These figures indicate the broad prospects and opportunities of the Central Asian region, and if they are used rationally, the economic growth of the region will increase significantly.

The Central Asian region has made significant strides in the areas of digital economy, e-commerce and innovation in recent years, but there are still many untapped opportunities in these areas.

In this regard, the parties agreed to develop an Action Plan to increase the share of the digital economy in economic development and take the necessary measures to implement joint projects of technology parks and develop digital technologies in order to digitalize sectors of the economy, develop human capital and train specialists in the field of IT and develop digital infrastructure economy.

At the forum, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan J. A. Kuchkarov, the Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan A. S. Kuantirov and the Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan S. A. Joraev, in turn, made a report on strengthening cooperation in the field of digital economy, e-commerce and innovation and expressed their gratitude to the Tajik side for organizing the forum at the proper level.

At 3 sessions, representatives of Central Asian countries presented useful feedback and suggestions on the topics “Exchange of experience and prospects for cooperation between Central Asian countries in the field of digital economy and implementation of an e-government system in the country”, “Experience and prospects for cooperation between Central Asian countries in the field of innovation " and "Exchange of experience and determination of prospects for cooperation between Central Asian countries in the field of e-commerce and digitalization of public services."

At the end of the event, the parties expressed their readiness to further expand trade and economic relations, including in the field of e-commerce, digital economy, innovation and modern technologies.