Kazakhstan is calling on SCO member states to join forces in developing artificial intelligence and transport corridors. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov presented the new initiatives at the SCO Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. Kazakhstan is also advocating the removal of trade barriers, simplification of procedures and greater use of national currencies in cross-border payments. According to Bektenov, national currencies now account for nearly 70 percent of Kazakhstan’s cross-border payments with SCO countries. Another key priority is the development of transport and logistics routes. Astana proposes linking the Belt and Road Initiative with regional transport corridors and setting benchmarks for the creation of an integrated transport system by 2035. The development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route is of particular importance. Kazakhstan is also ready to expand cooperation in the digital sector. The country has proposed establishing a network of artificial intelligence centres under the auspices of the SCO. The meeting concluded with the signing of several documents covering trade, transport and industrial projects. These include a Council decision on a concept for creating an SCO digital platform to facilitate international multimodal freight transport.
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