ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 14. A meeting occurred in Astana, Kazakhstan, between Arman Shakkaliyev, the Minister of Trade and Integration, and William Thompson, the Head of the Eurasia Department of the OECD Global Relations Secretariat, to discuss essential elements of bilateral cooperation and future collaboration prospects, Trend reports.
On the course of the meeting, Shakkaliyev expressed gratitude to
the OECD for its constructive partnership and support for
Kazakhstan's initiatives aimed at developing trade integration,
enhancing competitiveness, and ensuring sustainable economic
growth.
The minister stated that the Ministry of Trade and Integration
adheres to OECD standards and applies optimal international
practices by engaging in strategically significant initiatives,
including the Trade Facilitation Index, the Services Trade
Restrictiveness Index, working groups on export credit agencies,
and the Eurasian Competitiveness Program, with QazTrade's active
participation. Special attention was given to the development of
the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) and the
implementation of the EU project “Strengthening the Competitiveness
of TITR.”
"Kazakhstan continues to improve its logistics infrastructure and stimulate the use of the route by domestic exporters. In 2024, the volume of transportation via the TITR (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) reached 4.5 million tons, an increase of 62 percent compared to 2023, while container transportation grew 2.7 times, reaching 56,500 TEU. In the China-Europe direction, 35,600 TEU were transported, which is 27 times higher than last year’s figures. The target for 2025 is 5.2 million tons, including 70,000 TEU of container transport," said Shakkaliyev.
The potential for additional collaboration was also emphasized. Upcoming activities were specifically mentioned, including a symposium on vital raw materials scheduled for March 13, 2025, in Astana. William Thompson also extended an invitation to the minister to attend the "Emerging Market Economy" forum set for April 10, 2025, in Istanbul. Subsequent to the conference, the parties affirmed their preparedness to enhance trade and economic collaboration and to maintain engagement within the OECD framework.
"Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development" (OECD) is an international organization that works on creating policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people worldwide. It was established in 1961 and includes 38 member countries working together to address key economic, social, and environmental challenges.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) is a key transport artery connecting China, Central Asian countries, and Europe. It passes through Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, providing a faster and more efficient route for transporting goods between Asia and Europe.
