The 11th Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) is taking place in Samarkand

On April 1 of this year, the 11th Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) began its work in Samarkand, the PR center of the MIIT reports. More than 250 foreign guests from more than 30 countries, including representatives of more than 10 international organizations, take part in the Forum.

Background: The Asia Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum (APTFF) is the leading regional platform for the exchange of best practices and knowledge in the field of trade facilitation. APTFF has been organized since 2009 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with a growing number of partners. The Forum attracts over 250 participants from over 30 countries and offers significant opportunities for capacity building and collaboration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Forum, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Khurram Teshabayev highlighted the widespread introduction of innovative technologies and digitalization, which resulted in an increase in production volumes and international trade. At the same time, the tasks of ensuring stable supplies of food and agricultural products in the region remain highly relevant.

In this context, international cooperation in the fields of trade, transport and logistics, digitalization, as well as simplification of trade procedures through electronic data exchange and the development of new business mechanisms is of great importance. Among the most effective, measures were highlighted to create modern trade and logistics centers, simplified customs corridors and special economic zones in border areas.

Separately, the importance of ensuring equal access to modern technologies for all countries, taking the most effective measures to simplify procedures in the field of trade and transportation of goods, and digitalization of processes regulating the movement of goods was emphasized.

The reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in recent years to ensure liberalization of the economy and create a favorable investment climate have yielded significant results.

As a result of the removal of obstacles to entering the foreign market, the liberalization of the foreign exchange market, and the abolition of customs duties on more than 7 thousand types of raw materials and goods, foreign trade turnover doubled.

The tax burden has been reduced by almost 2 times, tax administration has been simplified, and the country has created the most attractive fiscal system in Central Asia. Uzbekistan is confidently moving towards joining the World Trade Organization.

The speakers emphasized the importance of increasing the transport potential of Central Asia, promoting projects for the construction of new transport corridors to enter the markets of the Asia-Pacific region, South Asia and the Middle East, and the European Union, using intermediate tariffs that are convenient for business.

In such conditions, the liberalization of the transport services market, optimization of permitting procedures, and the creation of a unified digital platform for international transportation become of great importance.

Also at the event, a number of meetings were held at which the current state and plans to increase the volume of cooperation between Uzbekistan both with partner countries and international organizations were discussed.

The forum will continue until April 5. In accordance with the program, group discussions and sessions are planned on aspects of trade facilitation and digitalization, including cross-border paperless trade and transport, as well as greening the trade process.