"ECA: Developing Cross-Border Trade in Central Asia"
A round table brought together leading industry experts and researchers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and the Russian Federation to discuss the development of cross-border trade in Central Asia.
Alisher Khakimov delivered a presentation on the topic “The Role of Kazakhstan’s Export Insurance Agency in Uzbekistan in Promoting Cross-Border Trade.” In his speech, he highlighted the key areas for strengthening economic ties between countries in the region and outlined pathways for building sustainable trade and investment relations. Khakimov emphasized that the Central Asian region has consistently led EIA’s portfolio in terms of support volume. Key sectors of cooperation included metallurgy, agriculture, food industry, mechanical engineering, construction materials, chemical and pharmaceutical products, and glass manufacturing.
In 2024, KazakhExport reached a significant milestone in its institutional development, transforming from an insurance company into a full-fledged export credit agency. This transformation made KazakhExport the first classical ECA in Central Asia, operating in strict accordance with international standards. The Agency thus took on a strategically important role in implementing Kazakhstan’s national agenda, supporting export diversification, industrialization, and integration into global value chains. According to Alisher Khakimov, the agency’s new status has enabled it to build a solid portfolio and accumulate institutional expertise, especially in fostering economic cooperation with Central Asian countries.
The roundtable also covered topics such as scientific cooperation, the transport potential of regional collaboration, joint initiatives for capital market development, and advanced research in the field of cross-border trade.
The event concluded with an analysis of specific export-import case studies. The final session produced a set of recommendations aimed at improving and expanding cross-border trade in Central Eurasia, taking into account both identified opportunities and challenges. These recommendations are expected to form the foundation for further development and strengthening of economic ties in the region.
