The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will host the 13th Central Asia Trade Forum, entitled “Trade Connections: Bridging Globally,” on May 14 and 15 in Almaty, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan announced.
With more than 10,000 government and business leaders from 25 countries in Central and South Asia, Europe, and the United States participating since its inception, the Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) has enabled the signing of more than $32 million in contracts.
This year’s CATF is designed to open new trade possibilities and overseas markets, enabling participants to identify opportunities and expand the scope of regional trade. The forum will feature sessions on customs digitalization, transport and logistics, trade regulation (including regional trade agreements), World Trade Organization standards, and harmonization.
“The forum’s success is its ability to attract policymakers, business leaders, and trade experts each year. Agreements made at the forum have expanded businesses, strengthened trade between Central Asian nations, and advanced economic growth in the region and beyond,” said Luis A. Rivera, Regional Mission Director at USAID Central Asia.
The forum will also include side events. A trade fair will feature 40 companies from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. In partnership with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration and Almaty Chamber of Commerce and Investment, it will showcase agricultural, textile, apparel, and food products.
Other events are a business-to-business expo featuring Central Asian products for global buyers and a Kazakhstan-Pakistan Trade Fair.
In addition, the 11th Regional Meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committees of Central Asian countries will be held on May 15, which will gather business executives and officials from the five countries overseeing customs, transport, phytosanitary certification, and veterinary border control.
