Kyrgyzstan proposes Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan create electronic trading platform

BISHKEK. Oct 8 (Interfax) - Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov has proposed strengthening economic cooperation, developing electronic commerce and expanding the transport connectivity of Central Asia and Azerbaijan.

"The development of electronic commerce must be accompanied by the formation of corresponding logistics infrastructure, including delivery, warehousing, customs clearance and tracking of goods. The Kyrgyz side is ready to utilize the potential of specialists from the High Technology Park [a territory with a special tax regime for IT companies working for the international market] to implement this initiative," Japarov said at the consultative meeting of the heads of state of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, as cited by the Kyrgyz leader's press service.

Japarov paid special attention to industrial cooperation, proposing that the countries' governments identify specific projects in agricultural product processing, light industry, construction materials production and logistics, indicating the participants, sources of financing and timelines for implementation.

In addition, Japarov proposed creating a single electronic trading platform of Central Asia and Azerbaijan, which would expand business and consumers' access to regional products and create additional opportunities for their promotion.

"Our guideline should be measurable results - reducing delivery costs and cutting travel time. At the same time, each country must have the opportunity to fully participate in regional transport projects and receive economic returns from them," Japarov said.

He also drew attention to the expansion of a common tourism space.

"Our countries possess complementary tourism potential. Historical cities, mountain and Caspian routes, and a rich cultural heritage allow us to join efforts to promote Central Asia and Azerbaijan as an attractive destination for travel," Japarov said, proposing to develop cooperation on the principle of "one trip - several countries."