SPECA countries to initiate a study to assess all the regulatory and procedural barriers to trade in Central Asia

A group of Central Asian nations recently launched an initiative aimed to assess all the regulatory and procedural barriers to trade in the SPECA subregion.

SPECA is a United Nations Special Programme aimed at supporting the integration of the economies of Central Asia (namely: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan), into global value chains in a manner that is consistent with the implementation of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

The initiative will consist of a study (read the concept note here) that will offer an in-depth analysis of the existing regulatory and procedural framework governing trade in goods within the SPECA region taking into consideration their commitments under existing bilateral, regional and international trade agreements, using an in-house survey-based Evaluation Methodology that will be developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The recommendations will be developed in close consultation with public and private sector stakeholders, with a view to identify action-oriented interventions and areas for joint action to address the identified needs and development priorities. The study will take into account the needs and economic realities in the individual SPECA participating countries (including the results of UNECE national needs assessments) and the challenges associated with ensuring the trickle- down effects of trade reforms in the form of export diversification, increased job opportunities and income equity.