GUUAM chambers of commerce council to be set up

A regional symposium dedicated to the role of Chambers of Commerce in economic cooperation among GUUAM member-states ended with signing of a communiqué on developing trade relations. The document will become effective after being ratified by the chambers of commerce of the five countries. It calls for broader trade relations and establishment of a council coordinating potential relations.

The Azerbaijan chamber of commerce and industry suggested that the council be based in Baku and the proposal will now be discussed by other participating countries.

It was decided to hold another symposium in Ukraine and study the experience of chambers of commerce of Latvia, Lithuania and Czech Republic.

On Friday night, participants of the symposium were received by President Aliyev. The president spoke highly of the report by an Uzbek representative about a considerable shortening of the Great Silk Route leading to a more economical transportation of cargoes. H. Aliyev said the Silk Route is a very promising program, which opens up tremendous prospects for transit nations.*