AMBASSADOR OPENS TRANSIT CENTER'S BUSINESS SEMINAR

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001133 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON PGOV KG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR OPENS TRANSIT CENTER'S BUSINESS SEMINAR FOR KYRGYZ BUSINESSES REF: BISHKEK 1057 ¶1. Summary: On October 15, the Ambassador opened the Manas Transit Center business seminar that provided local companies with detailed information on Department of Defense procurement procedures and insight into how to bid on U.S. government contracts. Kyrgyz government officials have repeatedly requested that the Transit Center buy more products and services from Kyrgyz companies (reftel). The seminar, which attracted approximately 200 participants, successfully provided the in-depth information local companies need in order to bid on U.S. government contracts. Vice Speaker of Parliament Isabekov and First Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Aziz Aliyev spoke at the conference and warmly welcomed the Transit Center's outreach to the local business community. End summary. ¶2. On October 15, the Ambassador opened the Transit Center's business conference held at the Hyatt Hotel to provide local companies with detailed information on how to compete for USG contracts and bids. Over the past months, many Kyrgyz government officials, including Foreign Minister Sarbayev, Vice Speaker Isabekov and other Parliamentarians, have repeatedly called on the Transit Center to purchase more Kyrgyz products and services. The October 15 seminar was the first public event in Kyrgyzstan devoted solely to nuts-and-bolts information on U.S. government contracts. Similar, but less extensive, information has been provided at past Embassy sponsored commercial out-reach events. ¶3. The Transit Center advertised the event in both Kyrgyz and Russian language newspapers, and also partnered with the local American Chamber of Commerce to spread the word in the business community. The response from the business community was significant, with approximately 200 participants from a wide range of industries attending. The media response was also strong, and a number of newspaper and TV reporters covered the event and interviewed participants. ¶4. Along with Ambassador Gfoeller, Vice Speaker Isabekov and Deputy Minister Aliyev spoke at the event, emphasizing the benefits of the Transit Center, including support in the fight against terrorism and narcotrafficking, the $60 million paid in annual rent, humanitarian assistance provided to Kyrgyz citizens, and cultural exchanges. Aliyev, who recently participated in regional Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) talks in Washington, discussed the opportunity for Kyrgyz companies to participate in supplying coalition troops in Afghanistan and in reconstruction projects in Afghanistan. He underscored that in order for Kyrgyz companies to participate in these opportunities they will have to meet U.S. government quality and quantity requirements. GFOELLER