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U.S. Companies Seek Export Opportunities in Uzbekistan

According to a recent report, the U.S. State Department is in regular receipt of applications from U.S. companies in search of opportunities to export their products to Uzbekistan's markets. “Our products likewise require review and certification for import into Uzbekistan, so expediting that process would help U.S. agricultural and livestock products reach Uzbek consumers. U.S. suppliers of technologies, industrial equipment, and manufactured goods are also actively bidding on public procurement opportunities and working with partners in Uzbekistan,” explained a spokesperson for the department. The USA's readiness to help Uzbekistan implement the announced reform program, including economic issues was noted. Referencing the significant improvements in the investment climate created by recent economic reforms and the potential of further reforms to attract more investment and technical expertise to Uzbekistan, the department emphasized: “Generally speaking, we welcome and encourage multilateral efforts to support regional connectivity in Central Asia and the South Caucasus westward to Europe. Such efforts create a more secure, resilient, and prosperous region.” The U.S. State Department also noted that through the regional trade activities of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Central Asia, the US is helping to increase the competitiveness of trade, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, and the private sector. As stated in the report, “Through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure, the U.S. is currently evaluating potential areas for infrastructure investment where it could contribute project advisory technical assistance, project preparation, and financing to tangibly move forward strategic projects in the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route.”

US Customs Bilateral Relations USAID

USAID Modernizes Kazakhstan’s Customs System

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has upgraded Kazakhstan’s customs infrastructure by providing advanced computer servers to Kazakhstan's State Revenue Committee (SRC). SRC Chairman Zhandos Duisembiyev accepted the state-of-the-art servers at a ceremony on August 14, which was attended by U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum. The new servers will replace outdated equipment that has hampered performance. Ambassador Rosenblum commented that adopting innovative technologies will streamline processes, enhance accuracy, improve transparency, and foster a business-friendly environment, attracting more investors and boosting economic growth. USAID is supplying advanced servers made by Dell Inc. to support the SRC’s new customs Keden IT system, which replaces the outdated Astana-1 system. By leveraging automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, the new Keden system will reduce clearance times and enhance data security. Rosenblum also emphasized the shared vision between the United States and Kazakhstan for a transparent and secure trade environment as Kazakhstan secures its position as a leading regional trade hub.

Investments US Politics Bilateral Relations International Cooperation Interview

U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan: We Never Make Kazakhstan Choose Between “Us Or Them”

In an interview with the KazTAG agency, U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Daniel Rosenblum discussed relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan. In the two years since his appointment, Rosenblum noted significant progress in developing diplomatic and economic ties between the countries. In particular, he emphasized the importance of Kazakhstani President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's visit to New York for the C5+1 platform summit, as well as the visits of the U.S. Secretary of State to Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstani Foreign Minister to the United States. Rosenblum also highlighted key support programs initiated by the U.S. in Kazakhstan, including USAID projects to resolve commercial disputes and decentralize public administration. These initiatives help strengthen the business environment and increase foreign investors' confidence in Kazakhstan, which, he said, helps attract more investment. Economic relations between the U.S. and Kazakhstan have shown steady growth, with trade exceeding $4 billion in 2023, a 30% increase over the previous year. The U.S. remains one of the largest investors in Kazakhstan, second only to the Netherlands. In recent years, U.S. companies have shown interest in new sectors, including transportation and critical minerals. For example, Wabtec has invested in locomotive production in Kazakhstan, and Pepsi Co. has invested $160 million to build a plant to produce potato chips and other snacks in Almaty region. The ambassador also discussed democratization and human rights, noting positive developments in Kazakhstan, such as the establishment of the Constitutional Court, and the expanded role of the ombudsman institution. He emphasized that Kazakhstan has worked to improve freedom of speech, assembly, and fair elections. On security issues, the ambassador reiterated the U.S.' commitment to protecting Kazakhstan's independence and sovereignty. He emphasized the importance of joint exercises and programs to strengthen defense and law and order in Kazakhstan. Regarding sanctions against Russia, Rosenblum said that the U.S. respects President Tokayev's position of adhering to international sanctions but does not apply its sanctions against Russia. The U.S. is engaging with the Kazakh government to minimize the impact of these sanctions on the country's economy and to find alternative markets for Kazakh goods. "We know that Kazakhstan needs to maintain good relations with its neighbors. It is natural to have positive trade relations and other types of relations to ensure peace and stability. We recognize and respect that it is not only the right but probably the duty of Kazakhstan to maintain such relations. We never put Kazakhstan before "either us or them" situations; we do not have such an approach to relations. Kazakhstan pursues a multi-vector policy, and we count on being one of the right vectors," the ambassador said. U.S. policy toward Kazakhstan is unlikely to change significantly, even if a Republican president wins the next U.S. election, Rosenblum said. The basic principles of supporting sovereignty and stability in Central Asia will remain unchanged, regardless of the political administration in Washington.

Air Transport US Bilateral Relations Defense Aircraft

U.S. Refurbishment of Pilatus PC-12 Aircraft for Uzbekistan

US company Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has been awarded a $64.2 million contract to refurbish six Pilatus PC-12 aircraft for Uzbekistan. The work will be performed in Uzbekistan and completed by August 2027. According to the U.S. Defense Department's website, the contract which was awarded under the U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, includes not only the restoration of the aircraft but also logistical support and on-site maintenance. The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft widely used for various missions, including surveillance and transportation. Since the aircrafts' proven reliability lends itself to civilian and military applications, their rehabilitation will have a significant impact on the expansion of Uzbekistan's aviation capabilities, including long-range monitoring and transportation missions. It is worth noting that the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft is often used in difficult conditions due to its ability to take off and land on short runways, making it indispensable for operations in Uzbekistan's remote and hard-to-reach regions.

Silicon Valley Science US Culture Social

Uzbek Female Scientist Awarded Gold Medal at SVIIF 2024

The Silicon Valley International Invention Festival (SVIIF) was held in Santa Clara, California, United States, from July 26 to 28 this year. According to UzA, Parahat Matyakubova, head of the Tashkent State Technical University, an Uzbek woman scientist, participated for the first time. More than 350 inventors from over 30 countries participated in the SVIIF 2024 festival, exhibiting their inventions and innovative developments in various fields of technology, food, medicine, chemistry, and industry. The Uzbek scientist demonstrated her scientific work and achieved results based on her invention, “Capacitive moisture meter for liquid products and pool materials,” at a competition organized within the festival's framework, wherein Matyakubova was awarded the Inventor Specialist Special Prize and a gold medal in the SVIIF-2024 Finals category. The scientist received this award for her patent on a device for controlling the moisture content of grain products and solid dispersion materials. It was reported that the results of the invention were introduced to enterprises processing grain products, and a high level of economic efficiency was achieved due to the expansion of functional capabilities.

Investments US Economy Business Support Export/Import

Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Holds Meeting with U.S. Business Mission

The Kyrgyz Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Head of the Presidential Administration, Akylbek Japarov met with a business mission from the United States. The session was organized by the American-Kyrgyz Business Council, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic press service reported. Representatives from several significant companies attended the meeting, including Abbott, Coca-Cola, GE Vernova Inc., OpenWay, Thomas Greg & Sons Limited, VISA, White & Case, and Jones Equity Fund. The parties discussed measures to develop and strengthen cooperation between the business communities of Kyrgyzstan and the United States, focusing on inter-bank collaboration, investment, digitization, and energy. Japarov spoke about the favorable investment climate in Kyrgyzstan and the government's efforts to create convenient conditions for doing business. During his working trip to the United States in April 2024, Japarov invited American business-people to visit Kyrgyzstan, stating that he hoped the visit would allow American business community to become acquainted with Kyrgyzstan's trade and investment potential, establish contacts, and cooperate with the local business community. Representatives of the American companies which are members of the U.S.-Kyrgyz Business Council confirmed their interest in expanding business ties between the two countries.