DUSHANBE, September 10. /ITAR-TASS/. Participants in a business forum, which opens Wednesday on the sidelines of a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) are to discuss matters aimed at stepping up the development of regional and investment cooperation, as well as at giving greater scope to trade contacts, and other aspects of interaction.

The discussions will involve representatives of state-run organizations, business executives, and members of the expert community of Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as SCO Observer and Dialogue Partner Countries, Tajikistan's State Committee for Investments announced on Tuesday.

The announcement emphasized, "In the light of globalization and world economic relationships, no country may stay aloof from these processes. This is why one of the main aspects of the economic policy of the state is to develop relations with SCO member-countries. This is a large market with immense financial possibilities, reserves of raw materials and human resources".

The State Committee analysts are confident that the forthcoming forum "will give a new impetus to the development of investment cooperation throughout the SCO, an exchange of experience, work to ensure a free movement of goods and services, the development of crossborder trade, and tourism".

Within the framework of the forum it is planned to hold several panel discussions, specifically on the topics of "Cooperation in the Fields of Industry, New Technologies, Energy and Energy Security of SCO member-states", "The Development of the Agri-Industrial Sector and Ensurance of Food Security of SCO Countries", and "The Role of Financial Institutions in the SCO".

Andrei Nikitin, a member of the Russian delegation, general director of the Agency of Strategic Initiatives for promoting new projects, will deliver a report titled "Cooperation in Customs Formalities: Challenges and Resources" at a meeting of the panel dealing with the "Removal of Trade Barriers Throughout the SCO by Developing Transportation Corridors". Participants are to discuss Takijistan's investment resources, the development of the ore mining industry of the republic with the participation of partners from SCO countries.

As a result of discussions, a Dushanbe Declaration will be adopted. Tajikistan's experts believe that "trade and economic cooperation among SCO member-countries is a way out of the current world fiscal and economic crisis".