Akylbek Japarov considers Kyrgyzstan as ideal center for trade and transport
«Kyrgyzstan’s location at the crossroads of several major transport routes, proximity to China, Russia, Kazakhstan, and relatively easy access to the rest of Central Asia make our country an ideal center for trade and transport,» the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov said at a roundtable.
According to him, Central Asia is an important region for transport corridors due to its location at a strategically important intersection of two continents. The lack of access to the sea continues to adversely affect the perception of the region by international investors. But the economic winds have given way to tailwinds.
«It is necessary to take a worthy role in the regional supply chains. Our republic is actively promoting its participation in the One Belt, One Road initiative, which can open up significant investment and trade opportunities for us,» said Akylbek Japarov.
At the same time, he noted that it was necessary to develop the transit potential of the Central Asian states by creating transnational logistics hubs, bonded warehouses and logistics infrastructure.
This is necessary to participate in such chains of e-commerce, which will create a huge number of jobs, inflows of innovative financial technologies such as digital money, cryptocurrency and blockchain.
«The effect of the so-called low base will allow us to set ambitious economic growth rates. Being close to China, we do not use this «ocean» for our products. Enormous volumes of e-commerce routes from China to Europe pass our country by,» the head of the Cabinet emphasized.
He recalled that the Kyrgyz Republic had agreed with the seaport of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to expand access to international trade through the sea. The issue of opening a new international multimodal corridor to Russia through the Caspian Sea is being considered. The land part of the new route will run from Kyrgyzstan through the territory of Uzbekistan to the seaport of Turkmenbashi in the Balkan province of Turkmenistan. Further, the cargo is proposed to be transported by sea to the Russian port in Astrakhan.
At the end of his speech, Akylbek Japarov noted that small states became increasingly important. The era of countries rich in natural resources is coming to an end.
«Those who can quickly adapt to new challenges and changes are the strongest right now. Under these conditions, Kyrgyzstan has a chance to take its place in the world order / world trade, based on the existing advantages,» the official concluded.
