WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.- Kazakhstan Business Council took its first business delegation to Almaty and Astana in Kazakhstan, June 6-8, 2023 for a Trade Mission certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce. During the September 2022 United Nations General Assembly, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited this business delegation to Kazakhstan during a U.S.-Kazakhstan investors roundtable. The trade mission also followed up on U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s February 2023 visit to Astana.
The business delegation consisted of more than 20 U.S. companies that engaged in consultations with Kazakhstan’s government to bolster U.S.-Kazakhstan trade and investment and help U.S. companies realize strategic projects boosted by Kazakhstan’s reform agenda.
American companies comprise the largest private sector investor base in Kazakhstan with more than $40 billion in investments, and bilateral trade reaching nearly $4 billion in 2022. The delegation builds on the foundation of bilateral energy partnerships to help Kazakhstan diversify its economy in sectors such as technology, agriculture, aviation, infrastructure, and mining.
“With a war in Europe, stressed global supply chains, energy/food demands and high inflationary pressures around the globe, there is a strong imperative for U.S.-Kazakhstan economic and commercial cooperation to contribute to regional and global solutions,” said Khush Choksy, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President for International Member Relations and Middle East & Türkiye.
“The U.S. business community is keen to advance Kazakhstan’s economic diversification, regional integration and encourage collaboration with the business community on continued reforms, especially ongoing tax reforms,” said Jennifer Miel, Executive Director of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council.
“This trade mission reaffirms the United States’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and business development with Kazakhstan,” said David De Falco, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasia, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. “The United States and our Kazakhstani partners are eager to advance cooperation on our shared economic priorities and further enhance inclusive economic growth in the region.”
The business mission was made possible with the support of U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council Chair Chevron and Board Member Citi. The delegation participated in important events taking place in Astana including President Tokayev’s Foreign Investment Council meeting and the Astana International Forum.
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Council was established in 2020 with the goal of advancing economic and commercial cooperation between the United States and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
