The 25th Meeting of Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for foreign economic and trade affairs was held in Dushanbe, with Kazakhstan represented by Deputy Minister of National Economy Asan Darbayev.

The participants discussed the development of mutual trade, investment and industrial cooperation, transport and logistics connectivity, trade digitalization and the improvement of trade procedures, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kazakhstan's National Economy Ministry.

Particular attention was given to industrial cooperation and the development of regional value chains.

Darbayev said Kazakhstan views the SCO as an important platform for expanding trade and economic ties and implementing joint projects. He noted that significant potential remains for increasing mutual trade among the organization's member states.

In 2025, Kazakhstan's trade turnover with SCO countries reached $72.5 billion, up 7% year-on-year. From January through June 2026, mutual trade amounted to $35.9 billion, representing a 9.8% increase compared with the same period last year.

"In this regard, it is important to continue joint efforts to simplify trade procedures, reduce border transit times, and reduce the administrative burden on businesses. This will create more favorable conditions for the further growth of mutual trade," the Vice Minister said.

Kazakhstan also called for further development of paperless and electronic trade, the digitalization of trade procedures and the mutual recognition of electronic documents. The country is placing particular emphasis on preparing an agreement among SCO member states on trade facilitation.

Following the meeting, participants agreed on an Action Plan for 2026-2030 to implement the Program of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO Member States. The plan will subsequently be submitted for approval at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of SCO member states.

The Regulation on the Special Working Group for the Development of the Creative Economy was also approved.

The next Meeting of SCO Ministers Responsible for Foreign Economic and Trade Activities will be held in Uzbekistan in 2027.