KYRGYZ FEEDBACK ON PAST AND FUTURE TIFA MEETINGS

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001367 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GEHRENBECK) DEPT FOR USTR (ERRION) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD PREL KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FEEDBACK ON PAST AND FUTURE TIFA MEETINGS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A Kyrgyz MFA official pledged to begin preparations within the Kyrgyz government for next summer's U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement meeting. While endorsing greater private sector activity under TIFA, he lamented that Kyrgyz firms were not prepared to compete internationally. In addition, he raised an investors symposium for the Kyrgyz Republic, which was apparently discussed during the Kyrgyz foreign minister's recent visit to Washington. End summary. TIFA Recap -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During a meeting with visiting SCA Regional Advisor on Integration Issues Robert Deutsch, Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry International Economic Cooperation Department chief Jeenbek Kulubayev reviewed the results of the July U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) meeting in Washington. Kulubayev, who represented the Kyrgyz Republic at the TIFA meeting, endorsed the need for more private sector activity under TIFA, but lamented that Kyrgyz firms were not ready to compete internationally. Specifically, he highlighted shortcomings in advertising and packaging capabilities. Kulubayev believed U.S. investment in the Kyrgyz Republic to be just a small percentage of the overall $4 billion in U.S. investment in Central Asia outlined at the TIFA meeting. ¶3. (SBU) In preparation for next year's TIFA meeting, Kulubayev said he would contact relevant Kyrgyz agencies to identify topics for possible discussion. After learning of the candidates for hosting the next meeting, Kulubayev noted that he would discuss this issue with the incoming (as yet unnamed) Minister of Economic Development and Trade and inform us of the Kyrgyz position. Investors Symposium -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Kulubayev raised a point arising from Foreign Minister Karabayev's recent visit to Washington. He said that Kulubayev and U.S. officials discussed holding an investors symposium for the Kyrgyz Republic. Kulubayev added that the Kyrgyz government, in preparation for this event, had already solicited business proposals from Kyrgyz firms. Comment -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Kulubayev seemed pleased with the outcome of the Washington event and, although he will likely already be posted to Kuala Lumpur prior to the next meeting, he indicated his plans to help prepare the Kyrgyz side for the next TIFA session. On the symposium, his comment appeared to signal Kyrgyz interest in promoting investment opportunities with U.S. government assistance. ¶6. (U) SCA Senior Advisor Robert Deutsch has cleared this cable. YOVANOVITCH