AKIPRESS.COM - Bishkek hosted the 10th annual CAMCA (Central Asia – Mongolia – Caucasus – Afghanistan) Regional Forum on "CAMCA's Way Forward: Advancing Through Innovation and Strengthened Intraregional Ties", UzA reports.
The event was organized by CAMCA, the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute, the Rumsfeld Foundation, and the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan.
This event is one of the first and only platforms that brings together representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia.
The forum discussed issues of intraregional trade, transport and transit, regional business and investment, economic development, entrepreneurship and innovation, human capital, and education.
The forum featured over 70 high-level speakers from different countries in the region and beyond. It was attended by over 250 experts and specialists from 22 countries.
Director of the International Institute for Central Asia J. Vakhabov, speaking at the first session devoted to the geopolitical and geoeconomic prospects of the region, shared information about the reforms in Uzbekistan and the initiatives of the President aimed at further development of trade and investment cooperation between the countries of the region.
According to the Director, the last 6-7 years have become a historical period of economic development in Central Asia, characterized by stable and sustainable growth, which is confirmed by key macroeconomic indicators (the region's GDP grew by 70%, exceeding $450 billion).
Despite the positive dynamics, the lack of transport connectivity in the region's countries acts as a decisive restraining factor in developing economies, the Director added. According to the World Bank, transporting goods to foreign markets can reach 50% of the final price of goods.
Experts emphasized the importance of assistance in developing transport infrastructure in Central Asia for further expansion of trade, improvement of transport links, and promotion of projects that will contribute to regional integration.