The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) opened the 13th Central Asian Trade Forum (CATF) in Almaty on Tuesday, reports the U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat.
More than 300 business leaders and government officials from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to explore ways to develop trade in Central Asia.
At the forum, dedicated to the theme "Trade Integration: Reaching Global Levels," speakers included the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator at USAID, Zeinah Salahi, representatives from the trade ministries of Central Asian countries, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, QazTrade, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association, and the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA).
Since its inception, CATF has facilitated the signing of contracts totaling more than $32 million.
Currently, alongside CATF, a trade exhibition is taking place, where 40 companies from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are showcasing agricultural, textile, clothing, and food products. The exhibition is organized in partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Almaty Chamber of Commerce.