Chamber Applauds Progress of Central Asia Trade Talks

Washington, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed the progress achieved this week by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and by the Commerce and State Departments in the third meeting of the Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council.

"By thinking and acting collectively, Central Asian countries are bolstering their integration in the global marketplace," said Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Daniel W. Christman, Chamber senior vice president for International Affairs. "These negotiations are unique because most TIFA talks occur with an individual country rather than with an entire region."

The Chamber's Eurasia Business Platform hosted key ministers from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in conjunction with the TIFA Council meeting. The Chamber is supporting implementation of the TIFA as a tool to promote regional economic development. Later this year, the Chamber plans to hold its first Eurasia Forum to advance infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and other issues in the growing Central Asian region.

"Central Asia is not only a strategically significant part of the world, but is a growing economy and has the potential to be an important destination for foreign investment," added Christman. "The Chamber already has on-the-ground affiliates in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan working to promote a transparent and profitable business climate."

The Eurasia Business Platform was launched in 2006 as a vehicle to provide the U.S. government and other institutions with the strategic outlook of Chamber member companies focused on Central Asia, the Caucasus, Ukraine, and Turkey. Its objective is to cultivate regional cooperation and integration in this strategically important part of the world.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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