During the B5+1 forum, key issues of economic cooperation among Central Asian countries were discussed. Uluk Kydyrbaev, the Secretary of the Investment Council, noted in a conversation with VB.KG that current realities require not just trade, but deep interaction capable of elevating the region to a new level of development.
According to the expert, achieving success requires uniting various resources: knowledge, technology, and capital. While some countries have modern equipment, others possess unique natural resources, and others have financial instruments. The main task is to create a unified chain that connects these elements.
Among the key aspects of this strategy is the transition from raw material exports to the production of high value-added goods. Central Asia must stop being merely a supplier of cheap resources and begin offering the world unique products that meet the highest international standards.
"Cooperation can manifest in various forms: access to technology, knowledge, joint production, and capital. Some countries have technology and equipment, others have production capabilities, and others have financial resources. It is important to understand how to combine these components," Kydyrbaev noted.
The market is another important element. When we talk about the market, we mean export. For example, we can sell honey, meat, rice, or cotton in raw form. However, our goal is to learn how to produce high value-added goods.
If a kilogram of quality meat costs $12–15, our task is to be able to sell it for $50, but for that, the product must meet the highest quality standards. This is only possible with the presence of technology, knowledge, and proper production processes.
Learning and applying new knowledge are key to achieving this goal. The Japanese example, where Wagyu marble beef costs thousands of dollars per kilogram, illustrates how uniqueness and quality can create high value.
In various sectors of the economy, we can find promising directions based on our geographical and climatic conditions. It is necessary to recognize that in some areas, such as wheat production, we will not be able to compete with Kazakhstan, but we can find our niches.
It is important to learn from each other, especially from our neighbors. If we see Central Asia as a single region and the whole world as a market, cooperation becomes essential. Only through joint efforts can we create competitive products.
Our goal is not to export cheap goods but to develop high-margin products. Even if it is potatoes, they should have unique characteristics: for example, grown at an altitude of over two thousand meters with confirmed quality.
A good example is New Zealand honey, which has separate certification and sells for $130–200 for 200 grams. They found their niche and created a system of trust in quality. We can and should strive for this as well.
To achieve this, it is necessary to improve quality, deepen knowledge, and develop technology. Creating high-margin products is the path our region must choose.
In response to the question of whether countries should act independently or as a single region, I will give a simple analogy: for a car to move, it needs four wheels that must work in unison. If one wheel fails, it leads to problems. The same goes for the region: joint efforts while maintaining individual responsibility are key.
The forum in Bishkek demonstrates the importance of this approach. Even if only 10% of participants deeply consider these issues, it is already a start. Such events shape a common understanding and contribute to moving forward.
Our region is still little known in the world, which our partners also acknowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify efforts for promotion, hold more forums, and establish a systematic dialogue.
Cooperation is not a one-time solution but a long process. But if we strive to create our own products and successfully enter the global market, there is no other way," concluded Uluk Kydyrbaev.
