ASTANA, Kazakhstan, October 28. Total income from e-sales in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries could reach some $1.5 trillion in 2023, said Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov at the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the SCO member states in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Trend reports.
"We must do everything we can to support e-commerce. Firstly, by simplifying customs procedures," he said.
Smailov proposed holding a special meeting of the heads of customs authorities of the SCO countries, and also increase the share of national currencies in mutual settlements and actively us the capabilities of the Astana International Financial Center.
Smailov noted that overall, interregional trade has grown almost 100-fold over more than 20 years. Last year alone, Kazakhstan’s trade turnover with the SCO countries increased by about 20 percent and reached $61 billion.
Kazakhstan’s foreign trade turnover in 2022 reached a historically high level of $134.4 billion. The trade surplus amounted to $34.3 billion, which is 82 percent better than in 2021 and four times more than in 2020.
Export volumes amounted to $84.4 billion. By 2021, foreign sales volumes had increased by 40 percent, and by 2020, they had increased by 78 percent.
Import volumes to Kazakhstan reached $50 billion for the first time, updating the 2013 record ($48.8 billion).