KYRGYZ FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED AGENDA FOR CENTRAL

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000954 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI) DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EINV ETRD PREL KG SUBJECT: KYRGYZ FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED AGENDA FOR CENTRAL ASIA TIFA TALKS REF: STATE 79187 ¶1. (SBU) Econoff met with Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade Kurmanbek Ukulov and the Head of International Trade Policy Anarkan Rahmanova on August 21 to deliver reftel points. Ukulov had read the draft agenda for the TIFA conference and had no suggested changes. He had several questions about the proposed bilateral meetings, including what level officials would attend the meetings on the U.S. side and how the meetings would be arranged. Econoff suggested that the GOKG provide a list of suggested topics and meetings, and promised to relay any additional details on the bilateral meetings provided by USTR. Ukulov also noted that representatives from Afghanistan would be observers at the conference and asked how Kyrgyz companies could learn more about how to bid on contracting opportunities in Afghanistan, especially USG funded projects and procurement. ¶2. (SBU) Action Request: Post recommends that Minister of Economic Development and Trade Akylbek Japarov be invited to the October TIFA talks in Washington. GFOELLER