A Regional Workshop on Cross-Border Digital Trade for Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program countries was held in Seoul, South Korea, from 12 to 14 November 2024. Two representatives of the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan attended the workshop.

The event was held within the framework of the ADB Better Customs to Better Serve Customers in Central Asia Project, which aims to promote inclusive economic growth and support CAREC countries’ readiness to comply with existing international trade facilitation commitments, such as the Agreement on Cross-Border Paperless Trade, Risk Management, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Program, and new or changing requirements.

At the workshop, Korean specialists shared their experience in implementing new digital technologies and modernizing borders in terms of working with large data flows. A methodology for conducting a feasibility study on cross-border paperless trade, including identifying gaps in the digital trade ecosystem, was presented.

The workshop participants also discussed the core principles of cross-border digital trade to raise awareness in establishing an implementation framework, including strategic activities to optimize customs control and facilitate the flow of global trade between Korea and interested CAREC countries.