Central Asia’s B20 Message to Washington: Let’s Make Deals

Delegations from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan attending the B20 business summit in Washington emphasized to their American hosts that they aim to increase the number of business deals. The three-day event, hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, served as a platform for the private sector to explore economic challenges, investment opportunities, and innovative solutions for global economic growth.

Central Asian officials, including government ministers and high-ranking officials, attended the summit, reflecting the importance they placed on the gathering. Kazakhstan, which sent the largest delegation, hosted a business roundtable titled "From Strategic Partnership to Concrete Projects," highlighting its eagerness to transform optimistic rhetoric into tangible agreements.

Uzbekistan's Trade Minister, Laziz Kudratov, spoke about the rapidly expanding commercial ties between the US and Uzbekistan, indicating that the groundwork for deals has already been laid. He added that they plan to build on this momentum to establish new mutually beneficial partnerships. The B20, along with the C51 ministerial meeting in Samarkand and a business forum attended by US executives, have set the stage for finalizing these deals.

Central Asian nations now look forward to the upcoming G20 meeting in Miami in December, where they hope to seal deals during the sidelines events. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are expected to attend the G20 gathering, increasing the chances of concluding business agreements in Miami.