The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) inaugurated the 13th Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF), under the theme “Trade Connections: Bridging Globally.” This prominent regional event aims to enhance connectivity, commerce, and trade policy in Central Asia.
Over 300 business leaders and government officials from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States have gathered in Almaty to explore ways to advance trade in Central Asia. The forum's sessions cover topics such as digitalization, transport, logistics, harmonization, trade regulations, World Trade Organization standards, and overcoming trade barriers in the region.
Zeinah Salahi, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID, addressed the forum, emphasizing the importance of trade cooperation in fostering stability and prosperity in Central Asia.
"We are proud to support this forum, which was founded over a decade ago with the belief that increased trade cooperation could create a more stable, prosperous, and interconnected Central Asia," she stated.
Since its inception, CATF has facilitated the signing of more than $32mn in contracts and has hosted over 10,000 government and business leaders from 25 countries.
The forum features keynote speakers from various organizations, including the Central Asian Ministries of Trade, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, QazTrade, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association, and the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA).
In conjunction with CATF, the following events also took place:
- Trade Fair: Featuring 40 companies from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, this fair showcased agricultural, textile, apparel, and food products for international buyers. It is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Integration of Kazakhstan and the Almaty Chamber of Commerce and Investment.
- Pakistan-Kazakhstan Trade Opportunities Forum for Women-Owned Businesses: This forum, which involved 40 Pakistani businesswomen, explored trade opportunities in Central Asia. It is hosted by the USAID Pakistan Regional Economic Integration Activity (PREIA).
- 11th Regional Meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committees: This meeting drew business executives and officials from Central Asia’s five countries to discuss customs, transport, phytosanitary certification, and veterinary border control. Supported by the Trade Facilitation in Central Asia project and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the meeting focused on digitalizing trade processes and developing a joint action plan to streamline trade procedures throughout the region.
USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and GIZ are the primary sponsors of CATF.
Central Asian countries have shown remarkable economic progress over the past two decades, with an average annual GDP growth of 6.2%, reaching $347bn. Since 2000, foreign trade has increased sevenfold, with combined imports and exports in 2022 nearing $190bn.
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