The first deputy secretary general of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Igor Petrishenko, spoke about the priorities of the CIS's work at a meeting of the Council of Heads of Trade and Industry Chambers of the CIS member states during the II International Industrial Exhibition "INNOPROM. Belarus" in Minsk, reports a BELTA correspondent.

Igor Petrishenko emphasized the symbolic nature of holding the meeting on the exhibition grounds. "It is here that leading enterprises, engineering teams, and experts from CIS countries demonstrate the latest industrial developments, solutions in the field of robotics, digital design, transport engineering, and green technologies," he noted.

In his opinion, industrial cooperation, technological sovereignty, and joint production are the areas that currently define the integration agenda. Additionally, Igor Petrishenko confidently stated that the positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation within the CIS are also due to the joint work of trade and industry chambers.

The first deputy secretary general of the CIS noted that the economies of the Commonwealth countries are maintaining a growth trend, and some states are demonstrating high development rates. According to last year's results, the GDP of the CIS as a whole increased by 2%, while in Kyrgyzstan, the growth was 11.1%, in Tajikistan - 8.4%, and in Uzbekistan - 7.7%.

In Igor Petrishenko's opinion, an important stabilizing factor is the functioning of the free trade zone and the removal of barriers. "Regardless of the complications in external conditions, the volumes of mutual trade are consistently high. Last year, the leaders in terms of turnover growth with CIS countries were Tajikistan (15.5%), Uzbekistan (14.7%), Azerbaijan (10.2%), and Kyrgyzstan (9.3%)," he added.

The Commonwealth is moving to a new level of development by introducing observer and partner statuses. "In 2025, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization received observer status in the CIS. Our task at the moment is to combine the potential of the CIS and the SCO, find points of contact between our industry bodies, and think about how to engage the business structures and platforms of the SCO to promote our interests beyond the Commonwealth," he emphasized.

In this same context, it is worth considering the opening opportunities for dialogue with state and international organizations with which there are common goals, including the EAEU, BRICS, and regional organizations of countries in the far abroad.

The speaker also highlighted strategic priorities, among which are the development of export potential, qualitative improvement of the business climate, and the implementation of the Strategy for Economic Development of the CIS until 2030. Igor Petrishenko emphasized the role of chambers of commerce and industry as a "bridge" between the authorities and business. The proximity of the CCI to the entrepreneurial community allows for prompt receipt of information about obstacles in trade and timely signaling to states to take measures.

Separate attention was paid to digital transformation and innovation. Igor Petrishenko expressed his conviction that the infrastructure of exhibition activities can become a support not only for business tourism but also for the creation of business incubators and an environment for startups.

"Chambers of commerce and industry are able to transform strategic guidelines into specific services for businesses: certification, promotion to external markets, business missions. We, in turn, are ready to support the activities of the Council of Heads in all areas," Igor Petrishenko summarized.

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