Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states grew by 6% last year, amounting to $66.7bn. The SCO countries now account for 30% of global GDP, with trade within the bloc comprising over a quarter of total global trade volume.
This positive trade momentum was highlighted during the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO member states, which took place in Islamabad, Pakistan. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, attended the event, where key discussions focused on strengthening trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian cooperation.
Prime Minister Bektenov highlighted the strategic foundation laid by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and other SCO leaders to enhance cooperation among member states.
The meeting built on agreements made at the Astana summit in July, addressing strategic plans for further collaboration among member states. Bektenov emphasized the importance of sustaining trade growth despite global economic slowdowns. He pointed out that new areas of development, particularly in digitalization, infrastructure, and energy, would be crucial for maintaining momentum.
Kazakhstan stressed the need for modernizing railways, roads, and creating a partner port and logistics network. Further cooperation in energy, investment, climate change, and waste management was also discussed, alongside initiatives to strengthen ties in education and healthcare across the SCO region.
In addition to Kazakhstan, heads of delegations of the SCO member states participated in the meeting. Eight key agreements were signed, including the “New Economic Dialogue” development concept aimed at deepening economic cooperation among SCO nations.
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