"Harmonization of administrative procedures, synchronization of transport corridors and logistics systems, electronic exchange of data and documentation - all this can only be achieved through 'digital integration,'" the Minister of Finance of Georgia, Lasha Khutsishvili, stated about it during the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank. As the Chairperson of the ADB Board of Directors, he participated in the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC) on the topic: "Restoration of regional cooperation through digital transformation."
In his speech, the Minister of Finance of Georgia noted that digital integration could play a crucial role in further deepening cooperation between CAREC member countries in trade, logistics, and financial services.
"In the aftermath of the pandemic, CAREC member states should step up cooperation in this area. However, the efforts of the governments alone are not enough; a dialogue with the private sector is crucial in this process," he said.
"In addition, countries need to pay attention to reforms aimed at deregulation of various sectors and strengthening the role of the private sector. I want to emphasize the importance of state enterprise reform. We see a significant contribution from the Asian Development Bank in all these," said Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili.
The Director-General of ADB, the Ministers of Finance and Economy of the CAREC Member States, the representatives of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank attended the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program.
The forum was moderated by Tom Standage, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Economist.
