ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 20. Digitally delivered trade - covering both exports and imports - in Turkmenistan reached $3.21 billion in 2024, Trend reports, citing World Trade Organization (WTO) data.
The report, published on the Asian Development Bank (ADB) website, highlights trends in digital trade among Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) member countries.
According to the ADB, CAREC’s total digitally delivered trade amounted to $421.53 billion last year.
| CAREC Member Country | Digital Trade ($ million) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 524 |
| Azerbaijan | 6,635 |
| China, People's Republic | 385,764 |
| Georgia | 2,184 |
| Kazakhstan | 7,909 |
| Kyrgyz Republic | 3,475 |
| Mongolia | 1,603 |
| Pakistan | 7,928 |
| Tajikistan | 216 |
| Turkmenistan | 3,210 |
| Uzbekistan | 2,079 |
| Total | 421,527 |
Turkmenistan ranked sixth among CAREC members in digital trade, while China, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan led the region with $385.76 billion, $7.93 billion, and $7.91 billion, respectively.
“Despite technological advancements, digital trade in the CAREC region faces significant hurdles,” said Asmat Ullah, Regional Cooperation Coordinator at the Pakistan Resident Mission of the ADB.
“Key challenges include underdeveloped digital infrastructure - such as poor internet connectivity, lack of internet exchange points, and absence of data centers - fragmented regulatory frameworks, limited electronic transaction systems, weak enforcement of data protection and privacy laws, and inadequate consumer protection,” he added.
He added that while CAREC countries have implemented domestic electronic single-window systems and automated customs processes, the scope and effectiveness of these systems differ widely. A unified regional single window is still absent, and several member countries - including Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan - have yet to ratify the UNESCAP Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade, which is critical for accelerating digital trade across borders.
