The SCO Demonstration Zone is becoming a key trade platform promoting the development of international economic cooperation
Since its establishment in 2018, the SCO Demonstration Zone has been actively developing high-quality platforms that promote modern trade and bilateral investments. Qingdao’s International Energy Trade Centre, launched in February 2023 within the zone, operates as a digital platform for energy trade. To date, over 350 institutions have opened accounts on the platform, pushing the total transaction volume beyond US$2.87 million. The SCO countries sign 242 investment projects with Qingdao’s enterprises, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.
The Demonstration Zone also hosts a comprehensive economic services platform, providing a range of services, from customs clearance and logistics to finance and legal support, both online and offline. In November 2022, a “one-stop-shop” service became available, with 15,000 enterprises registering on the platform and filing over 17,000 customs declarations, with a total value exceeding US$25.5 billion. In the first half of 2024, more than 4,800 customs declarations were completed, representing a 53 per cent year-on-year increase and totalling US$13.7 billion, marking an impressive sevenfold rise.
In line with its green energy goals, Qingdao inaugurated a vehicle trading hub in March 2024 within the SCO Demonstration Zone to facilitate the export of solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, and electric vehicles. Plans are underway to establish additional centres in Urumqi, Xinjiang, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to further support green export growth.
With a focus on strategic sectors, including the industrial internet and advanced equipment, the SCO Demonstration Zone continues to expand industry cooperation, with several key projects now operational.
Photo: iStock
-
![]()
Economy11.08.26Egypt expects to attract high-quality investment from India into industry and exports -
![]()
Economy11.08.26Iran links agricultural and water data systems to improve resource use -
![]()
Economy11.08.26India and Russia to expand cooperation in industry, aviation, rail transport and mining -
![]()
Economy10.08.26Iran expands satellite infrastructure with three planned launches -
![]()
Economy10.08.26Zimbabwe records first US$1 billion monthly export earnings -
![]()
Economy10.08.26China, Russia and Kazakhstan become Uzbekistan's largest trading partners in first half of 2026
-
![Sergey Lavrov]()
Sergey LavrovRussian Foreign Minister"A Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers has been adopted. It provides a clear and principled assessment of the situation on the international stage and outlines the tasks that will be addressed in accordance with previous decisions by heads of state and governments. No one doubts that additional documents on sectoral areas of cooperation will be developed ahead of the SCO summit in Bishkek. Energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare and a number of other areas were also mentioned" -
![Nitin Gadkari]()
Nitin GadkariIndia's Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways"Our resolution has just been passed. It is very important as far as the BRICS countries are concerned, which cover 40 per cent of the world's population. We are committed to the futuristic development of the transport sector, to create cooperation, coordination and communication between the stakeholders. This resolution indicates a lot of new technology and innovation in the transport sector. It covers the road sector, railways, aviation and water transport" -
![Anutin Charnvirakul]()
Anutin CharnvirakulPrime Minister of Thailand"Russia has been a trusted friend of Thailand for over a century. […] Next year, we will mark the 130th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We will commemorate this important milestone with high-level exchanges, thereby reaffirming our shared commitment to an even stronger partnership for the benefit of our peoples"
