PUBLIC: Trade Dialogue

Ilhom Nematov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States of America

Mara Burr, Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative, South and Central Asian Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President

Brian Sant Angelo, International Business Development, Europe & Central Asia, US EXIM Bank 

Lynne Tracy, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, US Department of State

The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce has been at the forefront of advancing trade and business relations between the US and the Republic of Uzbekistan. Located in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is home to almost 30 million people, has rich natural resources base and enjoys a GDP growth of 8%.  The country's established infrastructure and well-skilled workforce are an attraction to U.S. companies.  AUCC members are currently negotiating contracts and projects which, if implemented, will total $2.8 billion invested in the next 2 - 3 years.

During the period of 1992 to 2012 U.S. exports to the Republic of Uzbekistan amounted to more than $3.3 billion and American companies have invested more than $500 million in the Uzbek economy.  In 2012 the US exports to Uzbekistan totaled more than $285 million compared to $100 million in 2011 and $101 million in 2010.  While this is good news, the volume of U.S. exports and investments in this largest Central Asian marketplace is lower than those of Uzbekistan's near neighbors, including Russia with its exports to Uzbekistan reaching more than $2.3 billion in 2012. 

Trade benefits everyone and should be explored in full so that the benefits for the security, cultural and education cooperation can derive from it.

Join AUCC discussion with senior officials from the U.S. and Uzbek Governments on their assessment of the present and future of our countries' bilateral business cooperation. 

1)      What trade facilitation and credit financing mechanisms are in place to encourage U.S. businesses to be more assertive towards the Uzbek market?

2)      What obstacles do U.S. businesses face in Uzbekistan and how do both Governments cooperate to address them?

3)      What is the future of the Bilateral Investment Treaty and the Double Taxation Agreement between the U.S. and Uzbekistan?  Can U.S. businesses expect their ratification before 2015?  Will they retroactively apply to contracts signed prior to their ratification?

4)      What are the governments' views on Central Asian neighbors' WTO, Customs Union and Free Trade Zone memberships?  What influence do these unions and collective agreements have on the US relations with Uzbekistan?

These and other questions will be answered by our speakers.   

The event is OFF-THE-RECORD.   No media inquiries please.  

The event is moderated by AUCC. 

Seating is limited.  Please RSVP now and before: Wednesday, March 20, 2013