Representatives of the Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication (CAERC) participated in a subregional online roundtable on the theme "Development of Cross-Border E-Invoicing Systems in TCCA+ Countries" organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

CAERC was represented at the online event by Rashad Najafli, Deputy Head of the Economic Analysis Division, and Aygun Ahmadova, Acting Head of the Digital Trade Hub. The roundtable was dedicated to the application and mutual recognition of cross-border electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) systems and the development of data exchange mechanisms among TCCA+ countries, including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

Within the framework of the event, the project "Facilitating and Digitizing Cross-Border Trade in TCCA+ Countries" implemented by ESCAP was presented, and information on objectives, methodology, and key stages was provided. International practices, suitable interoperability models for regional countries, and the legal and technical frameworks of e-invoicing systems were also discussed.

During the discussions, participants exchanged views on the development of digital and paperless trade mechanisms in regional countries, the mutual recognition of electronic document turnover, and the possibilities for implementing potential pilot projects in the future. From the Azerbaijani side, the meeting included representatives from the Ministry of Economy, State Tax Service, Azerbaijan Investment Company, Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, and "B.EST Solutions" LLC (the technical operator of the ASAN Imza – Mobile ID electronic signature service).

The national coordinator of the project for Azerbaijan is the State Customs Committee. The primary objective of the initiative is to accelerate the development of digital trade among regional countries, simplify cross-border trade procedures, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen regional economic integration.