Mirziyoyev proposes creating free trade zone in Central Asia

At the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian Countries in Dushanbe, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed creating a full-size free trade zone, Report informs, citing the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that trade and economic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia is the main driver of regional partnership and integration.

“We believe that in order to increase the volume of trade turnover, it is necessary to quickly form a full-fledged free trade zone without exceptions and restrictions,” Mirziyoyev said.

He proposed adopting a comprehensive regional program that provides for the formation of sustainable trade and logistics chains in the Central Asian region, the opening and expansion of cross-border trade and cooperation centers, the harmonization of legislation and the elimination of barriers to mutual trade, the creation of unified electronic platforms for customs administration of sanitary and phytosanitary control, certification of the origin of goods, the launch of a regional e-commerce platform.

“To implement these tasks, we propose to launch a mechanism for regular meetings of ministers responsible for foreign trade activities,” Mirziyoyev added.