SCO Member States Discuss Rail Connectivity and Trade Facilitation
Meeting of Heads of Railways Administration of SCO Member States held under the Chairmanship of India
From 8-10 May 2023, the Heads of Railways Administration from the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) convened for a significant meeting under the chairmanship of India.
Representatives from the Railways Administration of the SCO Member States, including India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, participated in the meeting. Jaya Varma Sinha, Member (Operations & Business Development) of the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways, chaired the session.
During the meeting, the SCO Member States unanimously adopted the Work Plan for 2023-2025 and approved the draft Action Plan for implementing the Concept of Interaction between Railway Administrations of the SCO Member States.
The discussions primarily centered around enhancing regional rail connectivity, developing infrastructure, promoting multimodal transportation, and leveraging advanced technologies, including digitization, to facilitate trade and economic activities among the SCO Member States.
This gathering served as a platform for the participating countries to collaborate and strategize on initiatives that will strengthen connectivity and foster greater cooperation in the field of transportation. By aligning their efforts, the SCO Member States aim to enhance trade links and promote seamless movement of goods and passengers across the region.
The outcomes of this meeting highlight the commitment of the SCO Member States to promote mutual development and cooperation in the railway sector. With the adoption of the Work Plan and the Action Plan, the member states are poised to undertake collaborative projects and implement measures that will yield tangible benefits for regional connectivity and trade facilitation in the years ahead.
