Kazakh Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov called on the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation to join efforts to ensure food security and develop transport corridors. He participated in the 21st meeting of the SCO Heads of Government Council via videoconferencing. Smailov opined that the countries need to continue improving the Organisation’s activities. For example, he said that the elimination of trade barriers and the convergence of technical regulations require special attention. One of such practical steps is the Plan for intra-regional trade development for the next two years. It was adopted at the last Samarkand summit. Smailov also highlighted the agricultural potential of Kazakhstan. In his opinion, the development of a cooperation programme in the field of breeding and seed production could be an important step. The Kazakh Prime Minister added that, in general, the SCO space observes the high dynamics of economic development.
“Thus, based on last year's results, economic growth rates in the member states ranged from 4 percent to 9 percent, and the total trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the SCO countries increased by 22 percent to nearly US$51 billion. And, as for 2022, our trade with the SCO member states has increased by another 18 percent over the eight months of this year. It is important to involve banks and development institutions of the member states in the financing of trade deals and export transactions within the mandate of the SCO Interbank Association,” Smailov said.
