Dushanbe, Tajikistan, June 23, 2014 – Ambassador Susan M. Elliott opened the USAID Afghanistan Trade and Revenue project Business to Business Conference in Dushanbe.

Tajik entrepreneurs joined business representatives from Afghanistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, and Pakistan in Dushanbe, Tajikistan to explore business deals and investment opportunities in the four countries.

USAID partnered with the Tajikistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Kabul Chamber of Commerce and Industries, the Kyrgyzstan Chamber of Commerce, and the Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industries to organize the event. 

Central Asia emerged as one of the fastest growing regions over the past two decades, and its economic growth is expected to remain robust.

Ambassador Elliott said, “There are tremendous untapped trade opportunities between Central Asia and South Asia from which all countries in the region can benefit.  It is a win-win situation for all stakeholders.”

In addition to meeting business partners and negotiating deals, participants will visit four facilities in Dushanbe to view the manufacturing of products in three sectors – construction materials, foodstuffs, and textiles. They will also learn about multi-lateral trade and transit agreements that will help to ease trade among Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the Kyrgyz Republic.

The USAID Afghanistan Trade and Revenue Project is one of the many assistance projects made possible by the American people.  Since 1992, the American people have invested over $1 billion in programs and humanitarian aid to improve the standard of living for the people of Tajikistan through support to Tajikistan's democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.