Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan offered to the countries of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) to adopt an agreement on trade facilitation.

“Last year, trade between our countries amounted to US$85 billion. This is only 8 percent of the total foreign trade of member states of the Organization. Unfortunately, many years of attempts to conclude a preferential trade agreement have not produced the expected results. There are still many restrictions and problems in the formation of unhindered trade,” noted President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev during his speech at the ECO Summit in Tashkent.

“We must openly acknowledge this in order to take a fresh look at the situation and change it for the better. In this regard, I urge the adoption of the Agreement on Trade Facilitation within the Economic Cooperation Organization, developed by our experts,” he noted.

According to him, this document pays special attention to facilitating trade in goods and services, preventing technical and non-tariff barriers, digitalization of customs, phytosanitary and veterinary rules, and the development of e-commerce.

“According to preliminary calculations, these measures may allow us to achieve at least a twofold increase in mutual trade volumes by 2035,” said the head of Uzbekistan.