At the second session of the ESCAP Committee on Trade, Investment and Enterprise (CTIEBII-2025) held in Thailand, Kazakhstan presented its achievements and plans in the field of digital trade. The Kazakh delegation highlighted how the country is transforming its trade approach and helping businesses operate faster and more conveniently through online services.
Digital reforms are already delivering results. Over 300,000 new jobs have been created in sectors such as IT, logistics, marketing, and entrepreneurship. More than 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises have received training under government programs. Digital companies are 33% more productive than traditional businesses, and nearly 60% of retail tax revenue now comes from the online sector — a clear sign of growing transparency and the shift to formal economic activity.
As noted by Ainur Amirbekova, Managing Director of QazTrade, Kazakhstan is preparing to join the international Framework Agreement on Paperless Trade. This will enable businesses to process most documents electronically and much more quickly.
“We want digital trade to be simple and accessible — for everyone: large exporters and rural farmers alike. That’s why we are building data centers, developing digital infrastructure, and training people to work with new technologies,” Amirbekova emphasized.
She also spoke about the use of the Regional Digital Trade Integration Index (RDTII), which helped Kazakhstan identify weak spots and develop a concrete action plan. Kazakhstan’s systematic approach was recognized by representatives from ERIA and ESCAP. Delegates from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Cambodia, and Thailand expressed interest in the Kazakh experience.