Dushanbe (TDI): The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held its first roundtable on transport and logistics in Dushanbe, bringing together government officials, business representatives and industry experts to discuss regional transport corridors, cross-border trade and agricultural supply chains.
The event took place on the sidelines of the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government and was organized by Tajikistan’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ministry of Transport, with support from the Tajik government and the SCO Business Council.
The roundtable also hosted the first expanded meeting of two SCO Business Council working groups, focusing on transport and logistics and agriculture. The discussions aimed to strengthen coordination between public institutions and businesses on issues affecting regional commerce.
Tajikistan’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Shoista Saidmurodzoda, and First Deputy Chairman of the country’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nasimjon Anvarov, delivered welcoming remarks.
More than 60 participants attended, including members of the SCO Business Council’s working groups, a representative of the SCO Secretariat, officials from relevant ministries and agencies, representatives of chambers of commerce and industry, industry experts and diplomats from SCO member states accredited in Tajikistan.
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Participants discussed ways to expand multilateral cooperation in transport, develop international transport corridors, improve conditions for road freight and strengthen agricultural logistics.
Particular attention was given to phytosanitary requirements, refrigerated transport, temperature-controlled deliveries and digital platforms for cross-border trade in food products.
These issues are important for agricultural supply chains, where efficient border procedures, reliable cold-chain infrastructure and coordinated standards can help preserve perishable goods and reduce logistical delays.
The participants emphasized that improving transport and logistics infrastructure, alongside stronger coordination among member states, could facilitate mutual trade and support greater exports of agricultural products.
Digital trade platforms and better coordination of transport procedures were also highlighted as potential tools for improving the movement of goods across borders.
The roundtable was intended to promote practical cooperation between the business community and government institutions through the relevant working groups of the SCO Business Council.
Bringing together stakeholders from transport, logistics and agriculture provided an opportunity to identify shared challenges and discuss measures to improve trade connectivity across SCO member states.
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The focus on agricultural logistics also highlighted the importance of connecting transport infrastructure with the needs of producers and exporters, particularly those trading temperature-sensitive food products.
The initiative adds to the SCO’s broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and facilitate regional trade. Its longer-term impact will depend on whether discussions lead to coordinated measures, more efficient transport services and improved cross-border logistics.
