Turkmen Private Sector Engages in 13th Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) 2024
The 13th Central Asia Trade Forum (CATF) is set to take place on May 14 & 15, 2024, at the Rixos Hotel in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Organized by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the event aims to promote trade and economic cooperation within Central Asia and connect the region with global markets.
Since its inception, the CATF has brought together over 10,000 government and business leaders from 25 countries in Central and South Asia, Europe, and the United States. The forum has facilitated the signing of more than $32 million in contracts, strengthening trade relations and promoting economic growth in the region.
This year’s CATF will focus on opening new trade possibilities and overseas markets for participants. Sessions will cover topics such as customs digitalization, transport and logistics, trade regulation, World Trade Organization standards, and harmonization.
Keynote speakers at the forum will include Zeinah Salahi, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator of USAID’s Asia Bureau in Washington, D.C., as well as representatives from Central Asian Ministries of Trade, the International Finance Corporation, and other organizations.
In addition to the main forum, side events such as a trade fair featuring companies from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will be held. A business-to-business expo showcasing Central Asian products for global buyers will also take place, along with a Kazakhstan-Pakistan Trade Fair highlighting the potential for economic ties between the two countries.
Moreover, the 11th Regional Meeting of the National Trade Facilitation Committees of Central Asian countries will be held concurrently. This meeting will focus on digitalizing trade processes in the region and streamlining trade procedures.
The forum is supported by sponsors such as USAID, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and GIZ. Media partners include The Astana Times, Exclusive.kz, and other prominent outlets.
Central Asian countries have shown significant growth potential over the past two decades, with GDP expanding by an annual average of 6.2 percent and foreign trade turnover reaching nearly US$190 billion in 2022.
For more information about the CATF and registration details, visit www.catradeforum.org. The event promises to be a valuable platform for networking, exploring new trade opportunities, and gaining insights into the evolving trade landscape in Central Asia.
