Kyrgyzstan launches a Trade Facilitation Portal to support SME competitiveness

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) have launched the “Kyrgyzstan Info Trade Portal” to provide the country with a necessary push towards more inclusive economic development and transparent cross-border trade. The Portal will be implemented by the State Enterprise “Single Window” Center under the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic (SWC).

The “Kyrgyzstan Info Trade Portal” is an online platform that provides a step-by-step description of import, export and transit procedures from a trader’s perspective. The portal aims to support the business community and improve the overall competitiveness of the country using numerous tools to cut trade costs and reduce delays at borders.

A high-level event was held on 11 November 2021 with the participation of Mr. Almaz Isanov, Head of Political and Economic Research Division of the President’s Administration, Mr. Eduard Auer, Ambassador, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic and Mr. Mohammad Saeed, Chief, Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business of the International Trade Centre. 

Mr. Almaz Isanov, Head of Political and Economic Research Division of the President’s Administration: “The Info Trade Portal plays an important role in enhancing the transparency of the legal environment for trade, export promotion and trade facilitation by providing business with access to trade-related information and enabling business community to save resources”.

Mr. Eduard Auer, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic: “Trade Facilitation is a key factor for inclusive economic recovery in the post-COVID-19 period. Embedded in the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, the Trade Facilitation Portal simplifies, modernizes, and harmonizes cross-border trade formalities”.

Mr. Mohammad Saeed, Chief, Trade Facilitation and Policy for Business, the International Trade Centre: “The portal launched today will bring crucial gains to build a conducive business environment: it will close the information gap and provide vital stimulus to MSMEs, it will reduce the time and costs for traders to do cross-border formalities and boost the competitiveness of the “Made in Kyrgyzstan” in international markets.”

This portal is the second of its kind to be launched in Central Asia and aims to speed up the implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement which obliges WTO members to publish cross-border trade procedures online. It covers 38 references from the most strategic and job-creating sectors of the country’s economy and more than 50% of all sectors where SMEs are predominant.

The portal has been established within the scope of the Ready4Trade Project in Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is one of the five beneficiary countries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project, implemented by the International Trade Centre and funded by the European Union for a total amount of 15 million euros. For more information: intracen.org/ready4trade/

Stay connected: #Ready4Trade #CentralAsia  

The Ready4Trade Central Asia project is a joint initiative of the European Union and the International Trade Centre. Its aim is to contribute to the overall sustainable and inclusive economic development of Central Asia by boosting intra-regional and international trade in the region. Beneficiaries of the Ready4Trade Central Asia project include governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular women-led enterprises, and Business Support Organizations. The project operates in 5 countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. 

More information: https://www.intracen.org/Ready4Trade  

PRESS CONTACT
Media enquiries about ITC should be directed to:
Media: International Trade Centre
Phone: +41 (0)22 730 0626
Email: press [at] intracen.org (press[at]intracen[dot]org)