Tehran – February 19, 2025
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in collaboration with Kazakhstan’s national operating companies in trade and railway transportation, namely “KHORGOS” International Border Cooperation Center Free Economic Zone Managing Company JSC and “Kazakhstan Temir Zholy” (KTZh) NC JSC and Kazakh banks, that have implemented payment via electronic payment system, as well as various representatives of the non-governmental sector including members ECO chambers of commerce, organized a virtual meeting to discuss best ways to promote regional trade and transport connectivity.
The fruitful meeting appreciated exact professional details on specific rates, terms and conditions of transportation and requested the Secretariat to conduct the relevant Study to disseminate the best experience of Kazakh-Chinese border Free Economic Zones, including electronic commerce, as well as transportation to and from these zones.
ECO highly values potential of trade with China, there are projects underway of connecting Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan to the west of China but so far only railway connection via both border crossing points of Altynkol-Khorgas and Dostyk-Alashankou at the Kazakh-Chinese border exists and fully functional, thus providing good opportunities for ECO Member States.
The ECO Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to conduct further follow-up including conducting of studies and assisting in the field trips, as well as test-runs of different modes of transport via the routes discussed.
