The upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek later this week will further promote economic cooperation among the member states, said a former SCO official.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Muratbek Imanaliev, former SCO secretary-general, said economic cooperation within the bloc has broad prospects, adding that transportation and communication infrastructure are major cooperation projects among the SCO members.

With rapid economic growth, China has become a major driving force for the world economy, said Imanaliev, who once served as the Kyrgyz ambassador to China.

He said China's consistent support for the group is important to promote the SCO's development, as well as the security and stability of the region.

Speaking of China's proposal of setting up an SCO development bank, Imanaliev said an early establishment of the bank would be a good thing for all members.

Imanaliev also said security will be another key topic at the Bishkek summit.

The SCO has made a lot of progress in settling security problems of its member countries, and has kept a watchful eye on the situation in Afghanistan lately, he said.

The former secretary-general also suggested that the SCO set up a special committee on Afghanistan, adding that more attention should be given to the country as the withdrawal of the NATO forces in 2014 would affect the security situation in Afghanistan and the region.

He also said the China-Russia joint military exercises within the SCO framework can prevent the possible emergence of extreme circumstances in the area.

The ex-SCO official believed that the group can effectively crack down on terrorism, separatism and extremism, and guarantee the security and stability in the region.?

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