D.Mezentsev: Improvement of transport infrastructure & logistics, collaboration in IT-technologies - main prospects for multilateral coop within SCO
Dmitry Mezentsev complained that one of the challenges is a certain lack of multilateral trade and economic programs. Improvement of transport infrastructure and logistics, collaboration in the field of IT-technologies are the main prospects for multilateral cooperation within the SCO. "We have repeatedly noted the so-called project "Shanghai Health Organization" or "Institute for health and social support" which is to combine the potential of the traditional European medicine of the five member-states and traditional Chinese medicine," he said. In his opinion, the results of the project, certainly socially oriented and low-cost, will benefit the people of the SCO member-states. According to Dmitry Mezentsev, one of the most important initiatives for the development of multilateral trade and economic cooperation is China's proposal to hold in September the current year an exhibition of goods manufactured in the SCO member-states. It is expected that the event will be carried out as part of the Xi'an forum. Speaking about the efforts aimed at developing practical trade and economic cooperation within the SCO Dmitry Mezentsev informed on a number of events to be held in the current year: Sittings of the working groups on investment promotion (Tajikistan, March), on e-commerce (Beijing, April), on the development of transit potential (Tashkent), on modern information and communication technologies (Bishkek, September). Dmitry Mezentsev paid special attention to the proposals put forward by the SCO Business Council. They are related to the establishment of the SCO rating agency (non-government institutions) using the potential and practices of chambers of commerce for making pre-trial decisions of economic disputes, as well as close cooperation in the field of venture capital investment (taking into account deterioration of the situation in commodity markets). SCO Secretary General also praised the meeting of the Council of Heads of Governments which was carried out in December last year in the city of Astana. According to his words, the meeting instructed relevant ministries of the SCO member-states to develop (by autumn 2015) proposals which will form the basis of the updated program for trade and economic cooperation within the SCO.
