THE EIGHTH ANNUAL
CENTRAL ASIA TRADE FORUM
Venue: Youth Creativity Palace of Tashkent
Address: Mustakillik avenue 2, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
NEW HORIZONS
IN TRADE AND INVESTMENT
“President Trump commended President Mirziyoyev’s reform program and recognized Uzbekistan’s emerging role as an economic leader, as demonstrated by its offers to host the meetings of the Central Asia Trade Forum.“
White House Briefing Statement, May 16, 2018
The Central Asia Trade Forum is one of the largest annual events promoting regional trade and connectivity in Central Asia and has evolved into a widely-recognized brand. Last year the forum brought together over 1,000 entrepreneurs, private firms, technical experts, and policy makers to exchange ideas, stay abreast of new technologies and trade developments and make trade deals.
As highlighted by the White House in its briefing statement following the visit of President Mirziyoyev, this year the Forum is in Tashkent and will examine trade and investment policy reform and opportunities in Uzbekistan and the region.
The first Central Asia Trade Forum was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in 2011. Since then, Kazakhstan has hosted the last six consecutive forums. This year’s event will be hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Central Asia Trade Forum in your smartphone
THEME
This year’s Central Asia Trade Forum theme is New Horizons in Trade and Investment.
MAIN SESSIONS LED BY LEADING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE REGION
AGENDA
· New Horizons: Uzbekistan and Central Asia
· Financing Trade and Development
· Costs and Benefits of WTO Accession
· Developing Tourism in Central Asia
· Investment Climate in Central Asia
· Intellectual Property Rights Workshop (by Uzbekistan AmCham)
· Developing Organic Horticulture
· Track and Tracing Technology
· Market Access
· Central Asia Agri-Business Investor Experience
· Investment Opportunities and New Trends: Transport & Logistics
· Local Government Economic Connectivity
· Transport and Logistics Corridors
MASTER CLASS on Export Promotion
ISO Training Workshop
startup mix pitches and mentoring sessions for women entrepreneurs and startups
Corporate presentations
SPEAKERS REPRESENTING
· American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan
· CERT International; CERT Academy; CERT Group
· Citibank
· Crown Agents
· DAMU Logistics, Kazakhstan
· Dentons
· Ecocert IMO Ltd, Turkey
· GIZ
· GM
· KAZFOAM, Kazakhstan
· OECD
· OPIC
· Lonely Planet
· Legalmax Law Firm
· Procter and Gamble
· KGFOAM, Kyrgyzstan
· Travelport
· Organic Kazakhstan Public Fund
· International Logistics Parks Group
· PwC
· WTO
· World Bank Group
· United States Trade Representative
· USAID AVC Project
TRIP TO SAMARKAND
On Day III, October 19, 2018 of the Central Asia Trade Forum, we are offering an optional self-paid trip to Samarkand organized by «Dolores Travel Services».
Discover Uzbekistan's tourism potential, including sightseeing and visits to select locations!
Please note that there are limited seats available!
Up to 100 participants will be registered on the “first come, first serve” basis.
Registration is now closed.
«SAMARKAND - THE BEATING HEART OF SOGDIANA»
Please find attached a detailed agenda.
Day Excursion AgendaOctober 19, 2018 staring from 07:00 AM till 19:00 PM
Includes
- Economy class train tickets for the two-way trip “Tashkent-Samarkand”, transfer by "Afrosiab" high-speed train
- Arranged in-city transportation
- English speaking tour guide
- Lunch
- Sightseeing and paid entrance fees for visits
- Guri Emir Mausoleum – Tamerlane’s Tomb (XIV-XV centuries)
- Registan Square
- Bibi Khanum Mosque
- Architectural Complex Shakhi – Zinda (XI-XV centuries)
- Mausoleum of Prophet Daniel
- The Observatory of Ulugbek (XV century)
Contacts
Mr. Ravshan Mamadaliyev
«Dolores Travel Services»
Т.: +998 71 120-88-83
М.: +998 90 187-30-90
E-mail: ravshan@dolores.uz
SPEAKERS
THE EIGHTH ANNUAL CENTRAL ASIA TRADE FORUM
Read more +16 October 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersAlan Meltzer, Charge d’Affaires, United States Embassy in Uzbekistan
Read more +16 October 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersAlisher Kurmanov, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, International Economic Relations, Investments and Tourism of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Read more +26 September 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersChristopher Edwards, Central Asia Regional Mission Director, USAID
Read more +11 October 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersJamshid Khodjaev, Minister of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Read more +26 September 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersJavier Piedra, Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID
Read more +11 September 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersMaika Oshikawa, Director, Accessions Division, WTO
Read more +09 October 2018 in Favorite-Speakers, SpeakersMark Linscott, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for South and Central Asian Affairs
EXHIBITION
A concurrent trade exhibition will bring together different technology, equipment, and service
providers that have the capacity to lower production and transport costs in the region.
THE PURPOSES OF THE TRADE EXHIBITION
1. To showcase and promote innovative products
2. To expand access to new markets
3. To establish new business contacts, find new clients and partners
To apply for participation at the exhibition please fill the form.
REGISTRATION FOR THE EIGHTH CENTRAL ASIA TRADE FORUM IS NOW CLOSED.
Due to unanticipated demand we are unfortunately obliged to close registration
AWARD
Competition for Excellence
Dear participants of the Eighth Central Asia Trade Forum!
We are pleased to invite applications from registered participants in the Competition for Excellence in the following categories:
1. AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS – 2018
2. AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN HORTICULTURE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING, AND STORAGE – 2018
3. AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TOURISM – 2018
The purpose of the contest is to recognize achievements of companies that are adopting best practices and/or innovative technologies or processes to add value to their product or services. To be eligible, the companies must be working in at least one of the following sectors: horticulture; transport and logistics; or tourism.
To participate in the contest, please complete an entry form and meet the minimum requirements listed below.
Please submit the completed entry form by no later than October 5, 2018 to the email address provided at the bottom of the entry form.
Entry form for the Contest:
«Award for Excellence in Transport and Logistics - 2018»Prize:
The prize is technical support valued at $2,000 for each of the three winning companies to be funded and procured by the USAID Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs Activity in Central Asia project (CTJ).
Technical support can include training, technical advice, equipment, event or travel expenses and shall be determined by agreement between CTJ and each winner.
Minimum requirements:
Applicants should be small-to-medium sized businesses with fewer than 150 employees that are legally registered to operate in one or more Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan);
1. Applicants shall meet the following minimum requirements:
a. Be 100 percent privately owned;
b. Provide one of the following category of services or products:
i. Transport and logistics services; or
ii. Production and/or processing of horticulture products; or
iii. Tourism services
c. Have no liability for unpaid tax or other mandatory payments to the budget;
d. Not be undergoing reorganization, liquidation, bankruptcy due to indebtedness;
e. Not be engaged in gambling, the production and sale of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, weapons and narcotic drugs;
f. Have been operating for at least three years at the time of the announcement of the contest;
2. The winners will be chosen by the CTJ award committee. The decision of the judges is final and no further discussion shall be considered after award.
3. Judges shall select one winner in each category from across all five countries. There shall be three winners in total.
4. Judges shall determine which candidate demonstrates the most significant level of excellence in stated approach, solution or innovation implemented by the candidate.
5. In order to verify the information provided, the organizers of the Eighth Central Asia Trade Forum reserve the right to request supporting documents from any candidate.
6. Each winner agrees to provide CTJ with details describing the economic impact due to implementation of technical assistance or other award provided by CTJ, (e.g. increase in employment, sales or exports).
7. Previous competition winners are not eligible for consideration.
Participation in the contest is free of charge!
The award ceremony will take place on October 17, 2018 in the framework of the Eighth Central Asia Trade Forum.
Winners will be notified on October 12, 2018.
ORGANIZING PARTNER
PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTION & PARTNERING PACKAGES
PLATINUM
$10,000+
- Recognition and logo placement in conference materials
- Event signage
- Exhibit booth
- CATF website mention
- Social media posts
- Acknowledgment at plenary events, opening & closing remarks
- Featured Speaking Opportunity
- VIP Lunch Invite
- Evening reception invitations: 10
GOLD
$7,000
- Recognition and logo placement in conference materials
- Event signage
- Exhibit booth
- CATF website mention
- Social media posts
- Acknowledgment at plenary events, opening & closing remarks
- Featured Speaking Opportunity
- Evening reception invitations: 5
SILVER
$5,000
- Recognition and logo placement in conference materials
- Event signage
- Exhibit booth
- CATF website mention
- Social media posts
- Acknowledgment at plenary events, opening & closing remarks
- Evening reception invitations: 3
PARTNERING WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
We highly value the support to CATF provided by International Organizations over the years and welcome your Organization's contribution to this year's event. For more information, please, contact us at catf@dai.com
We would welcome any other ways of cooperation and smaller contribution. Please share your ideas with us.
VISA OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN
E-VISA
Starting from July 15, 2018, travelers can apply for a single-entry, 30-day e-visa to Uzbekistan online through an official electronic visa portal www.e-visa.gov.uz
The price for the e-visa will reportedly be $20.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan launches a system for issuing electronic entry visas (e-visa.gov.uz)
All conference attendees are strongly encouraged to carefully check visa requirements before planning travel to Uzbekistan.
The list of countries whose citizens can use simplified procedure for the issuing of tourist visas as of February 10, 2018.
Visa regulations for some countries
- From March 16, 2018, a visa-free regime is introduced for 30 days period for citizens of Tajikistan.
- A bilateral visa-free regime has been established with Kyrgyzstan (up to 60 days), Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
- From February 10, 2018, a visa-free regime is introduced for 30 days period for citizens of 7 countries: Japan, Indonesia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Turkey.
- From February 10, 2018, simplified procedure for issuing tourist visas is introduced for citizens of 39 countries (list is given below), that implies getting visa within two working days, not counting the day of receiving documents, with the cancellation of the requirement to provide a tourist voucher or an inviting legal / physical person in the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
* Please check MFA.uz for more current information.
The list of countries whose citizens can use simplified procedure for the issuing of tourist visas since February 10, 2018.
1. Australia
2. Republic of Albania
3. Andorra
4. Republic of Bulgaria
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Canada
7. People’s Republic of China (including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China)
8. Republic of Croatia
9. Republic of Finland
10. Hungary
11. Republic of Greece
12. Kingdom of Denmark
13. Republic of Estonia
14. Republic of India
15. Ireland
16. Iceland
17. State of Kuwait
18. Republic of Lithuania
19. Liechtenstein
20. Luxembourg
21. Republic of Macedonia
22. Republic of Malta
23. Monaco
24. Montenegro
25. Kingdom of the Netherlands
26. New Zealand
27. Kingdom of Norway
28. Sultanate of Oman
29. Republic of Portugal
30. Romania
31. Republic of San Marino
32. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
33. Republic of Serbia
34. Slovak Republic
35. Republic of Slovenia
36. Kingdom of Sweden
37. United Arab Emirates
38. United States of America
39. Vatican
2017 Highlights
The Seventh Central Asia Trade Forum in Almaty, Kazakhstan was a record-breaking event with more than 1,100 government and business leaders from 18 countries in Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe with 70% of the private sector representation.
The two-day event focused on the theme of Future Growth: Trade, Transport & Horticulture. Attendees discussed how enterprises throughout Central Asia can better compete in the global economy and provide jobs for the region’s growing workforce. More than $26 million in letters of intent to conduct future trade in Central Asia were signed. Over 50 private sector firms participated in a concurrent trade exhibition that showcased technology, equipment, service providers and a variety of horticultural goods from around the region.
$26 million
in letters of intent to conduct future trade in Central Asia
1,100
government and business leaders
18
countries
50
companies took part in a concurrent trade exhibition
MEDIA
2018
Uzbekistan Today Newspaper
{Exclusive Video} with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur L. Ross
The interview highlighted the Central Asia Trade Forum in Tashkent.
Uzbekistan Today Newspaper
New Ideas, New Contracts, New Markets
UzA
Tashkent hosts Central Asian Trade Forum
2017
UZREPORT TV
Video from the Seventh Central Asia Trade Forum
UZDAILY
Letters of intent for future trade for US$26 million signed during the Seventh Central Asia Trade Forum
The Seventh Central Asia Trade Forum 2017
Golden Dried Fruit Export, Uzbekistan
GALLERY
COMPETITIVENESS, TRADE, AND JOBS
ACTIVITY IN CENTRAL ASIA
USAID Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs Activity in Central Asia (CTJ) facilitates trade and employment in horticulture, tourism, transport and logistics across the five Central Asian economies. By incentivizing firms to become more regionally competitive and by addressing cross-border impediments to trade, USAID helps to develop a more diverse and competitive private sector and generate export-driven growth.
CENTRAL ASIA TRADE FORUM
CTJ continues supporting the Central Asia Trade Forum, an annual event for national governments and business leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities for increased trade, share innovation success stories, and network with potential customers.
INNOVATION
USAID Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs Activity in Central Asia (hereafter abbreviated CTJ) is a five-year (2016-2021) project focused on increasing the competitiveness of Central Asian economies and creating jobs. CTJ focuses on three primary sectors: 1) Horticultural; 2) Transportation & Logistics and 3) Tourism and works with governments and private sector firms to facilitate the removal of barriers that impede trade and timely delivery of quality goods and services.
The CTJ project is implemented in Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan and maintains an office in each country.
REGISTRATION FOR THE EIGHTH CENTRAL ASIA TRADE FORUM IS NOW CLOSED.
Due to unanticipated demand we are unfortunately obliged to close registration
USAID Competitiveness, Trade, and Jobs
in Central Asia Almaty, Kazakhstan
Phones: +7 727 311-04-05,
+7 727 311-04-03
E-mail: catf@dai.com
Organizing Committee of the Central Asia Trade Forum
Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Phones: phone +998 93 5002842,
+998 71 1482018,
+998 71 1500695
E-mail: info@catradeforum.org