On December 15, 2015, the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC), jointly with the Uzbek Embassy in the USA, organized a business roundtable, featuring Uzbek Ambassador Mr. Bakhtiyar Gulyamov, in Richmond, VA. The event was hosted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and moderated by the Director of the Office of International Marketing, Mr. Keith Long.
The meeting was part of the Ambassadorial discussions on the Uzbek macroeconomic performance and promotion of trade and investment opportunities for American companies that were initiated by Uzbekistan's top diplomatic envoy in 2013. As an implementing partner, AUCC has been successful in organizing discussions in California, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
In his opening remarks, Director Long welcomed senior Embassy official and emphasized the economic and agricultural potential of Virginia that was echoed in the welcoming remarks by senior representatives from Dominion (Fortune 500 Company) and Greater Richmond Partnership. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Gulyamov highlighted the stability and diversity of the Uzbek economy and underlined the recent move by the Uzbek Government to allow a large-scale privatization of local industries by foreign businesses. Ambassador Gulyamov also expressed hopes for increased cooperation between academic institutions of Uzbekistan and those located in Virginia and the expansion of professional training programs for highly skilled workforce that is employed by joint ventures in Uzbekistan.
The meeting participants noted Uzbekistan's double landlocked position and its effect on water resources management as well as strong interest in developing educational ties between Uzbek and American business schools. All sides expressed hope for more discussions on increasing bilateral trade and investments and thanked Ambassador Gulyamov for his initiatives and outreach. Using the AUCC member-companies as an example of the successful business cooperation, the AUCC Executive Director Ms. Elena V. Son stated: "AUCC has always been appreciative of the Uzbek Embassy support to ensure our member-companies' commercial successes that are mutually beneficial to the peoples of the US and Uzbekistan. AUCC views this roundtable as a great opportunity for those in the US who are new to the market to build relations and be better aware of the incentives that the Uzbek market can provide".
AUCC would like to express special thanks to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Dominion (Fortune 500 Company), Greater Richmond Partnership and World Affairs Council for their help in organizing the event.
(Photo courtesy of the Uzbek Embassy to the USA)