Kyrgyz president proposes SCO countries switch to settlements in national currencies
BISHKEK. July 4 (Interfax) - Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has proposed that member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) switch to mutual settlements in national currencies, and set up an SCO development bank and development fund.
"Unfortunately, for a long time now, we haven't moved ahead in resolving what seems to us to be one of the most pressing issues in our organization's trade-related and economic dimension. That is, introducing efficient financial mechanisms by setting up an SCO development bank and development fund and switching to settlements in national currencies, which has become a priority in current conditions," Japarov said at an SCO summit on Tuesday.
An SCO development bank and development fund should promote member states' economic and social development and deepen regional cooperation, he said.
"I believe that it's essential to continue working together to improve the quality of shipments by all types of transport within the SCO's territory. I assume that utilizing our countries' transit potential by implementing joint projects in the transport, logistics, and infrastructure sectors and joining the existing transport corridors would promote the SCO region's economic growth," he said.
"Kyrgyzstan favors stronger, mutually beneficial economic and investment ties. Greater interaction on the digital economy, food security, and introducing innovations and high technology should be among the important avenues," Japarov said.