Trade between Central Asian countries reaches $11 bln - Uzbek president Foreign trade of Central Asian countries has more than doubled over the past eight years to $253 billion, while trade between Central Asian countries has reached $11 billion, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.The overall GDP of Central Asian countries has increased by almost 2.5 times in that period to $520 billion, while mutual investments have grown by 5.6 times, Mirziyoyev said in his article, Central Asia on the Verge of a New Era, published on Thursday ahead of a new round of consultations between Central Asian countries.Uzbekistan's trade with other Central Asian countries grew from $2.4 billion in 2016 to $7.2 billion in 2024, and the number of joint ventures has exceeded 1,800.The interaction between Central Asian countries is deepening, and the resolution of border issues is one of the most important achievements in the new stage of cooperation, he said."The borders that used to divide us have transformed into bridges of friendship and cooperation. For the first time in the history of independent regional states, the entire perimeter of their borders has been legalized, and the problem that kept generating tensions for decades has been solved," Mirziyoyev said.Much headway has been made in border procedures and humanitarian contacts, he said. Citizens of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been moving freely across the border by ID cards since September 2023, which is an important step towards forming the area of free travel, Mirziyoyev said. Similar agreements are being discussed with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.Positive changes have emerged in the hydropower area, which used to be a source of fierce disagreements, Mirziyoyev said. "A new spirit of partnership based on trust, mutual benefit and fair approach to common resources" is developing, he said.Mirziyoyev spoke about the institutional formalization of cooperation, including the establishment of the council of national coordinators as a permanent mechanism for drafting and implementing agreements of the heads of state. "The launch of this mechanism has made the format systemic and ensured continuity in the fulfillment of joint initiatives," he said.Conclusion of the Treaty of Friendship, Neighborliness and Cooperation for the Development of Central Asia in the 21st Century in 2022 was an important step towards consolidation of the legal basis, Mirziyoyev said. Tajikistan joined the treaty in 2025. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: Interfax