The EAEU and Beyond: Convergence of Approaches Towards the Digital Transformation of Trade

Sanzhar Bolotov is the Deputy Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic, in charge of issues of foreign aid, international cooperation and trade. Has a higher education in administrative and financial law. Previously, from 2021 to 2023, he held the position of Director of the Center for PublicPrivate Partnership Unit of the Kyrgyz Republic.

In the period from 2018 to 2021, he held a number of positions in the President Office and Office of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of strategic development and planning, as well as investments and public-private partnerships In the period from 2014 to 2018, he worked at the Ministry of Economy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of investment policy and public-private partnership policy. 

Born on September 13, 1969 in the town of Bor, Nizhny Novgorod Region

Graduated from Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod with a degree in applied mathematics, and M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University with a law degree.

He began his career in insurance sector, and it took him a few years to make strides from the project manager toward the Director General of the Russian Union of Motor Insurers.

From 2003 to 2005, he worked as Deputy Director General of the Union called "Coordinating Council of Employers' Associations of Russia".

From 2005 to 2007, he headed the Department for Supporting Priority National Projects of the Presidential Executive Office of the Russian Federation.

In 2007, he took the office of Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation; in 2009, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation.

From February 2012 to January 2016, he was Member of the Board - Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission.

From February 2016 to April 2018, he held the positions of Aide to D.A. Medvedev, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Government of the Russian Federation - Director of the Department for Project Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.

From May 2018 to February 2020, he was Director General of Russian Export Center, JSC.

Ms. Shchur-Trukhanovich was appointed as Director General in 2019. Among her duties in the current position is coordinating analytical activities with primary focus on foreign economic activity development, customs tariff and non-tariff regulation, monitoring and removal of barriers on the foreign markets to the Russian export, etc.

In 2017 – 2019, Ms. Shchur-Trukhanovich acted as the Deputy Director General of the Department for Foreign Economic Activity Development and Regulation.

In her previous roles, she contributed on various economic and trade-related issues in government and business organizations including the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia (2008 – 2009), Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization "Economics and Law Research Centre" (2010 – 2012), the Eurasian Economic Commission (2012 – 2016), the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the Russian Venture Company (2016 – 2017), etc.

In 2001, Ms. Shchur-Trukhanovich graduated from the Moscow Open University of Social Studies with a degree in Jurisprudence. She holds master’s degree in International Law and European Union Law from the Russian State University of Trade and Economics (2012) and in International Relations from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation (2016). PhD in Economics.

Graduated from the Mozhaisky Space Engineering Institute with a degree in Electronic computers, systems, and networks in 1992. 

One of the heads of the first Certification Authority in Russian Federation. has been developing the topic of electronic signatures since 2002. 

In 2002, together with a number of like-minded people, he took the initiative to organize and hold a specialized conference on the issue of electronic signatures, which later became known as the "PKI Forum Russia". Since the conference was founded, he has been working as a vice-chair of the program Committee. 

Works in the Gazinformservice Group of companies 

Since 2016, he has been an expert of the UN network of experts on paperless trade and transport in the Asia-Pacific region (UNNExT). 

He has been engaged in the theory and practice of cross-border electronic signature interoperability since 2005. Co-author of the Russian implementation of the electronic signature validation service (Trusted third party). 

Candidate of technical Sciences (Ph.D.) 

Was born in 1986, received a higher education with a degree in Electronic Engineering.  

He began his career with the development and implementation of a departmental information system in the field of social protection of the population, as well as the transfer of state and municipal services into electronic form.  

Lebedev Andrey Vladimirovich led various projects in the field of information technology, automation of the activities of executive authorities of Russia, as well as projects for the development of a development of e-government infrastructure of Russia in the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of Russia.    

Then he led the direction of information technologies in the social sphere and key projects of the Russian Ministry of Labor in the field of informatization, including  
in areas related to the presidential, social and labor policies of Russia. 

Since 2023, he has been supervising the implementation of measures for the development of the state information system «Single window» in the field of foreign trade activities, which was created to simplify the interaction between the exporter and the state in a completely digital format. 

Erzhan Shakargaliev is a leading figure in trade policy development and negotiations in Kazakhstan, currently serving as the Director of the Trade Negotiations Department at QazTrade, a pivotal organization dedicated to enhancing the country's trade policy framework. His academic background is grounded in agriculture and food safety, holding degrees from the S.Seifullin Akmola Agrarian University and the S.Toraighyrov Pavlodar State University, with a Master's in Food Safety.

Erzhan's career trajectory has been notable for its focus on technical regulation, metrology, and significant contributions to Kazakhstan's integration into the global trading system. From 2006 to 2014, he was deeply involved in the technical regulation and metrology sector, laying the groundwork for his expertise in trade regulations. Since 2014, he has played various roles at QazTrade, where he has become instrumental in shaping the technical, sanitary, and phytosanitary regulations that govern Kazakhstan's trade, both domestically and as part of its commitments to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Throughout his career, Erzhan has been a key figure in the negotiation processes leading to Kazakhstan's accession to the WTO and has been actively involved in trade negotiations with third countries. His work extends beyond national boundaries, contributing to projects organized by international entities such as the International Trade Centre, ESCAP, UNECE, and USAID. His extensive experience and expertise in facilitating trade, coupled with his analytical support to the Ministry of Trade and Integration, make him a crucial asset to Kazakhstan's efforts in developing a competitive and efficient trade environment.

Born on February 11, 1973 in Moscow.

Graduated from the Yerevan State University.

From 1994 to 2000 he was First Deputy Director, Adviser to Director of Araks, CJSC in Yerevan, the Republic of Armenia.

From 2000 to 2008 he was Leading Specialist, Chief Specialist, Deputy Head, Head of the Department for collaborating with the WTO and implementing Cooperation Agreement with the European Union at the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development of the Republic of Armenia.

From 2014 to 2017, he was Professor of Customs Law at the State Non-Profit Organization "Training Center of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Armenia".

He has been working at the Eurasian Economic Commission since 2017. Prior to his appointment as Director of the Department for Customs Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation, he held the position of Deputy Director of the EEC Trade Policy Department

Aleksei Bondarenko is a Trade Facilitation Expert, Writer, Speaker, and former UN/CEFACT Vice-Chair with a PhD in Economics and a robust professional background. With over 14 years of experience, Aleksei has dedicated his career to streamlining trade procedures and enhancing digital trade across Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Currently serving as a Consultant at the United Nations ESCAP, Aleksei is focused on advancing cross-border paperless trade. 

As an international consultant, Aleksei participated in several hands-on projects and capacity-building programs at ITC, GIZ, UNECE, and the World Bank. 

He has authored several articles and studies on instruments and tools for trade facilitation and Single Window development. 

Fluent in both English and Russian, Aleksei is passionate about fostering international collaborations and revolutionizing trade facilitation to create a more interconnected and seamless global trade environment.