Business Opportunities in Central Asia

WHEN: April 17, 2007

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Commercial Service

100 N. 6th Street
Conference Rooms A & B

(take escalator down to lower level)
Minneapolis, MN 55403

*BISNIS market experts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan are available for individual consultations

through a Customized Market Briefing.

Interested companies should request a meeting as part of their registration below.

MARKET TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED:

· Industry Sectors Agribusiness, Food Packaging, Construction, Pharmaceuticals/Medical, Energy and Power

to be Covered Generation, Textiles, and Chemicals.

· Markets to be Covered: BISNIS representatives from four of Eurasia’s most dynamic countries will discuss prospects in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Business Opportunities in Central Asia – April 17, 2007 – Minneapolis, MN

For more information and to register, contact: Andrew Colburn, BISNIS

Tel: 202-482-4522/Fax: 202-482-2293

Email: Andrew.Colburn@mail.doc.gov

Requested One-on-One Appointments: (Appointments are subject to availability.)

£ Kazakhstan £ Kyrgyzstan £ Tajikistan £ Uzbekistan

Number of people attending: __________

Names of attendees ______________________________________________________________________

Company

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________ Fax: __________________ E-mail: __________________________

Registration Deadline: April 13, 2007

ABOUT BISNIS

BISNIS (www.bisnis.doc.gov) provides market information, practical advice, leads, and referrals to U.S. and Eurasian companies of all sizes to facilitate U.S. exports and other forms of business development in the former Soviet Union. BISNIS, a part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, has representatives posted throughout Eurasia, including several in Russia. In addition, BISNIS has staff of trade specialists in Washington, DC. Since opening in 1992, BISNIS has helped U.S. companies generate over $4 billion worth of U.S. export and investment transactions. In 2002, 2003, and 2004, Forbes Magazine recognized BISNIS as a “Best of the Web” for market information on Eurasia.

PROFILES OF BISNIS REPRESENTATIVES

· Andrew Colburn – started working as a Trade Specialist at BISNIS/U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C. in September 2006. In this capacity Mr. Colburn works as country manager for Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Mr. Colburn’s current portfolio also includes Oil & Gas, Customs and Certification. Mr. Colburn provides guidance to US companies with vested interest in Eurasia, and facilitates U.S. exports, investments, and partnerships in the region. Prior to joining BISNIS, Mr. Colburn was working in Azerbaijan as Country Director for the International Republican Institute and in Uzbekistan for Freedom House. He has over 10 years management experience in both the non-profit and for profit sectors. Mr. Colburn holds an MA in International Studies from the Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS) at the University of Denver and he received his BA from University of Colorado, Boulder where he majored in International Affairs, Dec. 1989.

· Beibit Yerubayev – has been a BISNIS representative in Kazakhstan since October 2006. Mr. Yerubayev provides BISNIS with export and partner leads of Kazakhstan’s companies and writes country overviews, commercial news updates, and industry reports on promising developments in Kazakhstan. Mr. Yerubayev holds an MBA in Applied Business from Waynesburg College in PA. He also holds diploma with honors from the Kazakh National Agrarian University majoring in International Economic Relations. His past work experience includes Kazakh National Oil &Gas Company “KazMunaiGas” and one of the largest copper mining companies Kazakhmys PLC.

· Artyom Zozulinsky – has been a BISNIS representative in Kyrgyzstan since August 2006. Mr. Zozulinsky provides BISNIS with export and partner leads of Kyrgyzstan’s companies and writes country overviews, commercial news updates, and industry reports on promising developments in Kyrgyzstan. Mr. Zozulinsky holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from the American University – Central Asia. His past work experience includes tenure as General Manager for a British/Kazakh real estate consulting company and working with USAID funded projects. In 2000, he was part of the U.S. Department of State’s funded exchange program and is fluent in Russian and English along with basic Kyrgyz.

· Jamshed Rahmonberdiev – has been a BISNIS representative in Tajikistan since February 2004 when BISNIS resumed its activities in Tajikistan. He provides BISNIS with export and partner leads of Tajikistan companies and writes commercial news updates and industry reports. In May 2005, Jamshed was awarded the State Department Franklin Award for organizing the first-ever American Investment Conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. In May 2006 he was awarded the State Department Meritorious Honor Award for supporting U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s missions and Secretary’s Infrastructure Integration Initiative. Mr. Rahmonberdiev holds Masters and Bachelors degrees in International Economic Relations from Tajik State National University. He attended training at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary on globalization issues. Mr. Rahmonberdiev worked with the Asian Development Bank project in Tajikistan and has worked as a consultant for the International Trade Center's (WTO/UNCTAD) program on regional trade promotion.

· Jahangir Kakharov – has been a BISNIS representative in Uzbekistan since November 2003. Mr. Kakharov provides BISNIS with export and partner leads of Uzbek companies and writes country overviews, commercial news updates, and industry reports on promising developments in Uzbekistan. Mr. Kakharov has a specific focus on finance, privatization, and development banking. Mr. Kakharov holds a graduate degree from Columbia University in New York and has done postgraduate research in economics at Oxford University. He also holds diploma with honors from the Institute of Oriental Studies specializing in International Economic Relations. His past work experience includes Asian Development Bank, ABN AMRO Bank, and the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations of Uzbekistan. Mr. Kakharov has written a number of articles on privatization and economic policies of Uzbekistan.

SHORT REGIONAL OVERVIEWS

Kazakhstan – As the world’s 9^th largest country in area combined with average GDP growth of over 9% Kazakhstan has enormous potential for investment. Energy Generation: Kazakhstan's vast reserves of gas and off shore Caspian oil make its energy sector attractive for investment. This is especially interesting to the power generation industry, particularly manufacturers of infrastructure equipment. Textiles: The Kazakh textile industry provides an excellent opportunity for investment due to the availability of natural resources, high domestic demand for quality clothing, and access to regional markets. Construction: Overall capital construction in Kazakhstan has increased steadily for the past 4 years exemplified by the equipment/materials sector having grown by 20% per year. A major percentage of investment has gone to developing construction and transportation infrastructure, including airports, sports facilities, supermarkets, apartment houses, and construction of highways. Agribusiness/Food Processing: Economic reforms, development of the country’s financial institutions, and accumulation of capital reserves by a number of Kazak food processors provide significant opportunities for U.S. manufacturers of processing and packaging equipment.

For more information on Kazakhstan please go to: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/country/kazakhstan.cfm

Kyrgyzstan – Bordered by Kazakhstan and China this mountainous country’s development potential resides in the extractive industries. Energy Generation: Electricity production in Kyrgyzstan, mainly hydroelectric, is between 13 and 15 billion kWh a year. Current production has the potential to increase by a factor of ten while electric exports have a potential to increase by a factor of fifty. Textiles: Kyrgyz textile has witnessed growth of 300% year on year in production from 2005-2006. Low operational costs combined with increasing demand from Russia and Kazakhstan explain these enormous gains. Construction: Between hydroelectric stations and roads there are significant opportunities for US investment. Agribusiness/Food Processing: A need for advanced technology and management in the quality processed meats and vegetables industry offers extensive opportunities to expand current levels of exports. Improved packaging, marketing, and management practices hold the greatest prospects for efficiency gains.

For more information on Kyrgyzstan please go to: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/country/kyrgyzstan.cfm

Tajikistan – Another mountainous central Asian country with over 9% growth rates, Tajikistan is building from a relatively undeveloped base that provides double figure growth potential. Energy Generation: Tajikistan’s expanding hydroelectric production has the potential to generate 260 billion kWh per year electricity. This level of production is already technically and economically feasible, lacking only output markets. Textiles: The Tajik government’s intention to raise $320 million in foreign investment will enable the expansion of the textile industry to process all domestically produced cotton by 2015. Construction: Tajikistan experiences great demand for construction machinery and equipment as a result of several recently launched infrastructure, industrial, and commercial construction projects. Up to $1 billion will be spent over 2007-2009 period on these projects alone. Agribusiness/Food Processing: The food-processing sector in Tajikistan has 34 segments, represented by 300 companies that account for 18.6% of total industrial output in 2005. Tajikistan was a major producer of fruits and vegetables in the former Soviet Union, with annual exports reaching 200,000 tons per year prior to 1990.

For more information on Tajikistan please go to: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/country/tajikistan.cfm

Uzbekistan – With many key resources and the highest population in Central Asia, Uzbekistan has great potential for economic investment in several industry sectors. Energy Generation: Uzbekistan is rich in hydrocarbon resources, especially natural gas, with approximately 1.85 trillion cm³ in proven reserves. As the largest electricity producer among the Central Asian republics and net exporter of electricity, the potential for updating and improving efficiency of its antiquated equipment is extensive. Conditions in Uzbekistan are also very favorable for solar energy development. Textiles: This sector accounts for approximately one fifth of total GNP and as one of the top 5 producers of cotton in the world provides this industry with a reliable source of raw materials. Agribusiness: Agriculture is pivotal in the Uzbekistan economy, accounting for about 30% of gross domestic product, 45% of employment, and 60% of export earnings. Several hundred million dollars worth of obsolete machinery in the agriculture sector, tractors, grain, and cotton harvesters, need to be replaced. Construction: Uzbekistan's transition to a market economy has resulted in prolific growth of new construction projects, particularly in Tashkent, the capital city. This urban growth has stimulated demand for construction equipment.

For more information on Uzbekistan please go to: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/country/Uzbekistan.cfm