Summary of Under Secretary Lago’s Trip to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2022
Contact: Office of Public Affairs
publicaffairs@trade.gov
WASHINGTON - Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago concluded her trip to Central Asia where from Oct. 17-21 she traveled to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to express U.S. support for advancing commercial ties with both countries. She also expressed the Commerce Department’s desire to help both countries meet climate change mitigation goals using U.S. technology and voiced support for U.S. companies active in both markets.
Uzbekistan
Under Secretary Lago discussed the U.S.-Uzbekistan commercial relationship with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments & Foreign Trade Jamshid Khodjaev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, and Minister for the Development of IT and Communications Sherzod Shermatov. She also toured the Zeppelin/Caterpillar Factory—a leading U.S. equipment manufacturer in Tashkent—and Leader Foam, a successful Uzbekistani foam rubber producer considering expanding—and bringing jobs—to the United States. Under Secretary Lago was able to see the success of ITA’s Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program when she met with several SABIT alumnus and chef Akbar Umarov at his prestigious school, the International Center of Uzbek Culinary Art, to discuss how the program helps advance commercial cooperation between the countries. To kick off the second day of her visit, Lago attended a breakfast briefing hosted by the American Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce and heard firsthand perspectives on doing business in Uzbekistan from American companies operating in the region.
In addition to U.S. businesses in the market, Under Secretary Lago also engaged with Uzbekistani business owners. She spoke as a guest of honor at AmCham Uzbekistan’s 25th Anniversary Corporate Social Responsibility Gala and met with the Businesswomen’s Association of Uzbekistan. These opportunities gave Lago the opportunity to learn more about the business climate in Uzbekistan, promote the SABIT program and upcoming trade shows in the United States, and share how the Commerce Department can help Uzbekistani businesses grow by using American products and services.
Kazakhstan
Under Secretary Lago met with Vice Minister of Trade and Integration Kairat Torebayev of the Ministry for Trade and Integration, with whom she discussed the U.S.-Kazakhstani commercial relationship and shared objectives for 2023. She also met with Iran Shahkran, Vice Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development to discuss how U.S. distribution and logistics companies can provide solutions for transportation and construction projects in Kazakhstan.
Under Secretary Lago provided opening remarks during Wednesday’s Women in STEM Dinner in Astana where she underscored the importance of empowering women to bolster both the American and Kazakhstani economies.
On Thursday, Under Secretary Lago provided remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Astana Airport Expo, the first such event to take place in Central Asia. Her tour of the expo saw seven U.S. companies exhibiting across numerous aviation sectors. She also met with representatives of the National Bank of Kazakhstan to discuss the bank’s priorities and potential opportunities for U.S. companies to support its objectives.
Lago concluded her trip at a business reception at the Chief of Mission’s residence, where she met with representatives of U.S. companies to learn about their experiences doing business in Kazakhstan.
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