USAID Regional Economic Cooperation Project Quarterly Report

The project focuses on increasing sales and export readiness for firms in various industries, including textiles, organic farming, horticulture, fruits and vegetables packaging, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics. During the reporting period from October to December 2015, REC's main accomplishments include hosting the fifth annual Central Asian Trade Forum (CATF) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event brought together over 1,000 entrepreneurs, traders, businessmen, and policymakers from Central and South Asia, and the broader region, to promote regional economic connectivity. Uzbekistan sent its first official delegation to the forum, illustrating the growing priority Central Asian governments are placing on trade promotion activities and the connectivity agenda. The CATF resulted in signed protocols of intent and memoranda of cooperation valued at more than $45 million. Notable highlights from the forum include the signing of a letter of intent between the Uzbek Association of International Business & Technologies and the IPM Business School of Belarus to organize consulting and trainings on textiles and educational business development in Uzbekistan. Additionally, the Central Asian Crafts Support Association and SPINNA Circle LTD signed a letter of intent to build capacity and promote sustainable trade and economic cooperation in the textiles sector for $70,000. Other notable achievements during the reporting period include the establishment of joint ventures between Pakistani and Kazakhstani companies. Madina Steel Works, a Pakistani company, set up a joint venture with a Kazakhstani business in Karaganda, while N.K Corporation, another Pakistani company, will set up a textile joint venture with a Kazakhstani company in Shymkent. Mokhir Company of Uzbekistan and Alizada brothers LTD, an importer from Afghanistan, signed a letter of intent to supply over 7,000 tons of mung beans and 12,000 tons of kidney beans to Afghanistan, valued at around $20 million USD. REC also partnered with the ARGO Civil Society Development Association to conduct a three-day training seminar on innovative approaches to financial literacy for 15 members of the ASIA Business Association of Women Entrepreneurs in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The project's strategic partners from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan were awarded certificates of appreciation for their cooperation with REC in areas such as trade facilitation, export competitiveness, and sales increase. In addition, REC cooperated with GIZ to facilitate a training-seminar on transport and logistics in Kazakhstan and other countries of the Eurasian Economic Union. As a result, companies are finalizing business contracts for transportation services to supply goods to Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. The project's efforts aim to promote regional economic connectivity and increase trade among Central Asian countries, Afghanistan, and larger trading partners.