Tariffs and Formal and Informal Trade Barriers in Central Asia

Abstract

These reports present an important aspect of regional cooperation in Central Asia – trade. Many factors speak in favour of regional trade and cooperation, including (a) the communication, transport and energy infrastructure created by the former Soviet Union as an integrated national system; (b) environmental issues which require regional approaches; (c) the potential attraction of a region free of trade and transit barriers for foreign and local investors, compared with the limitations of small national economies; (d) utilization of regional cooperation to overcome geographical obstacles and to improve access to global markets. However, statistics on intraregional trade indicate that the level of trade in the region still falls short of its potential.

These reports (three in total) are based on data collected from various sources, with the results of this laborious effort presented in tables and graphs. As the data come from different sources they may not be free of methodological flaws. However, where possible the data have been verified and compared with various alternative sources. This first report deals with the trade policies and major export items of each of the five Central Asian countries. It includes a review of trade policies and trade complementarity in the region, and tables showing the evolution of export profiles of each country after independence.

Keywords: Central Asia, Trade