DUSHANBE, 29.10.2020 (NIAT Khovar) – TheDeputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Abdurahmon Abdurahmonzoda attended the 19th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Ministers responsible for Foreign Economy and Foreign Trade Activities through video conferencing yesterday.

The virtual meeting which was hosted by India was attended by the Secretary General of SCO and ministers from Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia and Uzbekistan.

During his speech he noted that the measures taken by the government to reduce the negative consequences of the pandemic to the national economy are effective, and added that the analysis shows that taking into account the timely implementation of anti-crisis measures, the growth of the national economy of Tajikistan in the first nine months of 2020 is 4.2%.

The officials also considered a wide range of issues on the development of regional economic interaction, state and prospects of trade, as well as economic and investment cooperation within the SCO.

Following the meeting the members adopted statements that reinforce the need for greater cooperation for access to medicines and facilitation of trade, and the importance of rules based multilateral negotiations.

A document on cooperation, including exchange of information, organisation of events and collaboration on research and capacity building were also adopted.

A draft Action Plan for 2021-2025 for Implementation of the Program for Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation of the SCO was recommended for submission by the SCO Secretariat in accordance with the established procedure for approval.

A draft Concept of Cooperation of the SCO Member States on the Development of Remote and Rural Areas in the Digital Age  was recommended for submition for approval at the next meeting of the Council of Heads of SCO Member States scheduled for 10 of November.