The results of a CART.IS study were presented in Astana, identifying areas where Kazakhstan needs to accelerate trade digitalization. The project is being implemented with the support of the European Union and the International Trade Centre.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Integration, QazTrade, government agencies, and international partners. The goal of the meeting was to determine how to make data exchange between agencies and countries faster, more transparent, and fully digital.

The analysis covered 27 key services involved in foreign economic activity. Of these, 81% are already provided electronically, while only 19% remain paper-based. Furthermore, 15 government IT systems operate independently: only 11 services are connected to the interdepartmental electronic interaction system, while 14 still require integration.

The study also found that 60% of cross-border procedures require digital integration with systems in other countries, primarily Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. The lack of such integration leads to document duplication and additional costs for businesses.

Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Aidar Abildabekov noted that further simplification of trade procedures requires not just digitalization, but also the interoperability of government systems architectures. "The CART.IS initiative is not just an analytical exercise, but a practical tool that will help Kazakhstan make foreign trade faster, more transparent, and more predictable" he emphasized.

The Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aleska Simkic, noted that Kazakhstan has already established itself as a leader in digital transformation in the region. "The country is demonstrating impressive results in paperless trade and e-government development. This is a solid foundation for expanding economic ties with Europe" she said.

The study also revealed that only five of the twelve participating institutions have their own digitalization departments. This finding highlights the need to strengthen institutional capacity and improve coordination between agencies. QazTrade Deputy Director General Nurlan Kulbatyrov added that the transition to completely paperless trade could increase Kazakhstan's trade turnover by 10-15% annually by reducing costs for businesses.

The CART.IS analysis was conducted as part of the Ready4Trade: Fostering Prosperity through the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre. The project aims to modernize trade procedures, develop regional connectivity, and support small and medium-sized businesses in Central Asian countries. The International Trade Centre is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the UN that helps businesses from developing countries enter global markets. The European Union, which comprises 27 Member States, promotes sustainable development, democracy, and free trade worldwide.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mti/press/news/details/1100974?lang=kk