Astana Focuses on Eliminating Trade Barriers During ECO Chairmanship

During the first ECO Ministerial Forum on Sustainable Development, held from April 27 to 29 in Arkadag, Turkmenistan, Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Staff of the Kazakh Government Galymzhan Koishybayev stated that, as the current chair of the Economic Cooperation Organization, Astana is prioritizing the removal of trade barriers and the enhancement of logistics connectivity.

According to the Prime Minister’s press service, Koishybayev highlighted that Kazakhstan also prioritizes unifying standards and creating digital platforms to support economic integration within the region, The Caspian Post reports citing Kazakh media.

At a meeting with Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Koishybayev expressed Kazakhstan’s interest in establishing a green corridor to implement joint projects in industry, energy, transport and logistics, agriculture, and other sectors.

He emphasized that cooperation in the gas industry could undoubtedly become a solid foundation for strengthening bilateral economic partnership.

Koishybayev also met with Iran’s Vice President Hamid Pourmohammadi, during which both sides underlined the high dynamics of bilateral meetings at all levels, the intensity of interaction in a multilateral format, and significant potential for trade and economic collaboration.

The forum brought together ministers, senior officials from ECO member states, representatives from international organizations, civil society, academia, and the private sector.

Founded in 1985, the ECO comprises ten member states: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan.