In Central Asia, digitalization in the field of transportation and logistics is becoming an important aspect for trade development. Different countries in the region are beginning to use electronic documents and risk management systems at borders, which contributes to speeding up the cargo transportation process, reducing the time required to pass through checkpoints, and lowering administrative barriers. This was stated by Urmat Takirov, director of the Export Center of Kyrgyzstan, at the B5+1 forum.
“According to global practice, about 80-90% of cargo crosses the border without physical inspection, as checks are carried out based on pre-submitted electronic documents available to border guards and customs officers. This significantly speeds up logistics operations and reduces bureaucratic barriers,” he added.
Takirov also emphasized that issues of transport logistics are interconnected with product safety control, veterinary and phytosanitary standards, intellectual property protection, and customs administration. All these aspects require a comprehensive approach and coordinated actions among various government structures.
In Kyrgyzstan, as part of the customs service modernization strategy, a Unified Automated Information System (EIS) is being implemented, which ensures the integration of customs processes with other government agencies. This system allows employees at checkpoints to receive information about cargo and accompanying documents in advance. At the same time, some processes are not yet fully digitized, and work on their modernization continues.
Urmat Takirov noted that the level of readiness for digital changes varies among different agencies and countries in the region, leading to parallel reforms. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan has a strong IT team in the customs service, which creates a solid foundation for further transformations.
It is expected that key elements of digital harmonization will be implemented within the next 2-3 years, which will be a significant step towards creating a unified trade and logistics space in Central Asia.
