Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) —  On 20 November 2024, the two-day International PLAS Forum Retail Central Asia, the largest event in the field of trade and e-commerce in Central Asia, officially began in Tashkent.

The forum brought together more than 90 speakers and 49 exhibitors from 16 countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the UK, China, and France. The primary focus of the forum will be on innovations in e-commerce, the digitalization of trade, and the development of small and medium-sized businesses.

The event serves as a platform for discussing key areas of e-commerce development and finding solutions that will contribute to economic growth in Central Asia.

Konstantin Grizov, CEO of PLUS Group and deputy chairman of the Forum’s Organizing Committee, addressed the participants with a welcome speech. He expressed gratitude to the attendees and sponsors and emphasized the importance of the PLAS Forum for the region.

"We have been holding PLAS Forums for 16 years and have organized over 50 events. Uzbekistan has become a special region for us, and we prepare each forum with great care. One of our main goals is to make the PLAS Forum Retail Central Asia an effective platform for discussing key industry issues and finding joint solutions," Grizov noted.

Vyacheslav Pak, first deputy director of the National Agency for Prospective Projects of Uzbekistan, stressed the importance of creating conditions for the sustainable growth of e-commerce.

"For the successful development of e-commerce, regulators must not only react to changes but also anticipate them. This requires close cooperation between business and government," he stated.

He also mentioned that the NAPP is actively working on improving the regulatory framework, and by the end of the year, a project aimed at supporting e-commerce and reducing business barriers is expected to be adopted.

Muzaffar Azamov, chairman of the E-Commerce Association of the Republic of Uzbekistan, highlighted the issue of the shadow economy. "More than 40% of the country’s economy is in the shadow, which hinders the development of retail. Simplifying retail and import procedures will help involve micro and small businesses in the legal economy," he noted.

Azamov also emphasized that the Association is actively collaborating with key regulators, including the Customs Committee and the Central Bank, to eliminate bureaucratic barriers.

Ivan Fedyakov, founder and CEO of Infoline, pointed out that the reduction of the interest rate in Uzbekistan to 13.5% creates unique opportunities for attracting investment and economic growth.

"The 9% growth in the consumer market in 2023 demonstrates the country’s high potential. However, for further growth, it is important to develop omnichannel approaches and integrate online and offline channels," he added.

The PLAS Forum Retail Central Asia will continue on November 21, with sessions dedicated to the digitalization of trade, the implementation of artificial intelligence, the development of marketplaces, and ensuring security in online payments. The forum will conclude on the second day with a summary of the results.