Tokayev Proposes SCO Cross-Border Trade Zones

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has proposed testing simplified trade procedures at cross-border zones linked to existing cooperation centers among Shanghai Cooperation Organization members.

Speaking at a meeting of SCO heads of state in Bishkek, Tokayev said expanding trade, economic and investment ties held strategic importance. He said mutual trade among SCO countries was approaching $1 trillion, but argued that their economic links still fell short of their potential.

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It is important to move from agreements to specific initiatives.

Kazakhstan supports a broad SCO trade and investment space with minimal barriers, digital procedures and stronger transport and logistics connections, Tokayev said. He proposed pilot industrial consortia that would allow countries to begin projects when they are ready, rather than wait for every member to join. Successful projects could later expand across the organization.

Tokayev also supported China’s initiative to establish an SCO Development Bank. He said its resources should focus mainly on infrastructure, technology and industrial projects, and added that Kazakhstan could host the bank’s headquarters if all member states agreed. He further called for faster development of Eurasia’s transport and logistics network, describing the region’s geographic connectivity as a strategic advantage.

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This would make it possible to test simplified trade, digital procedures and modern mutual settlement mechanisms.