Russia wants trade barriers lifted within SCO framework
DUSHANBE. Sept 11 (Interfax) - Russian Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) Director Andrei Nikitin wants to see trade barriers within the framework of SCO members lifted.
He spoke about this initiative at the SCO business forum in Dushanbe Thursday.
The SCO members are Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The business forum is running on the eve of the September 12 summit of SCO heads of state.
"We should not forget that the SCO brings together partners that trust each other, so we need to make every effort to lift surplus barriers, which obstruct efficient trade and the movement of people," Nikitin said.
"ASI is working hard to reduce the amount of documents requires to carry out customs operations and customs procedures when importing and exporting goods, and also to introduce technology for customs declarations and issue of goods, to reduce administrative procedure terms," he said.
ASI has also started working to unify trade codes. Nikitin spoke about Russia's initiatives to develop uniform customs documents within the SCO framework.
"To get cargo through you need to fill out different documents right now and this does not reduce the risk of confiscation or seizure of transit cargo. Compiling a uniform permission document for the delivery of transit cargoes would help resolve this problem," he said.
He said the experience of the EU should be considered in this issue.
"Barriers that hinder trade are often of a bureaucratic nature and can be easily eliminated if the political will is there," Nikitin said.
