The U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association (USKBA) was formed to promote the involvement of the U.S. private sector in trade and investment in Kazakhstan. The USKBA is an independent, nonprofit corporation that works to promote U.S. economic and commercial cooperation with Kazakhstan by fostering a business and investment climate in which U.S. and Kazakhstani companies operating in Kazakhstan can flourish. It was incorporated in the State of Delaware on March 31, 1999, and is based in Washington, DC.
Member companies include: ABB Inc.; Access Industries Inc.; The AES Corporation; CaseNewHolland Inc.; Chevron Overseas Petroleum Inc.; Coudert Brothers; Exxon Mobil Corporation; Nations Energy Company Ltd.; NUKEM Inc.; Parker Drilling Company; Phillips Petroleum Company; PricewaterhouseCoopers; Squire, Sanders & Dempsey; and Texaco Inc. Nonprofit members include: ACDI/VOCA, American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan, the American Councils for International Education, Civilian Research and Development Foundation, the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs, International Foundation for Election Systems, and the International Tax and Investment Center.
The USKBA's focus is primarily on business initiatives and its main objectives are:
To maintain an ongoing liaison with Kazakhstani government officials in the U.S. and in Kazakhstan to provide the appropriate fora for visiting Kazakhstani officials to meet its members and ensure regular, productive contact.
To provide a forum for the exchange of views and information on business matters between the business and government leaders of both the United States and Kazakhstan.
To provide timely communications to all members regarding business opportunities and business conditions in Kazakhstan.
To grow the membership in order to serve as an effective, collective voice of U.S. business interests in Kazakhstan.
To act in concert with other Councils & Chambers to promote economic growth in the Caspian region as appropriate to Association objectives.
To serve as a forum to promote awareness of Kazakhstan in the U.S., in support of members' business initiatives.
Major events held during USKBA's short existence include the following:
Inaugural reception and dinner in honor of President Nursultan Nazarbayev and senior government officials.
Welcoming reception and dinner for new Kazakhstan Ambassador to the United States, Kanat Saudabayev.
Luncheon with Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport and Communications, Karim Massimov.
Breakfast and luncheon roundtables with Kazakhstani parliamentarians and government experts visiting the U.S.
Meetings with Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy Advisors John Wolf and Elizabeth Jones.
Reception for Kazakhstani Ministers and officials attending United States-Kazakhstan Joint Commission.
Meetings with Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister, Erlan Idrissov, and Minister of State Revenue, Zeinulla Kakimzhanov.
Luncheon with U.S. officials Jan Kalicki, John Beyrle, and Jonathan Elkind on relations with Kazakhstan in 2000.
Conference on Capitol Hill with Senator Sam Brownback and regional officials on energy issues in Caspian Basin.
Informal roundtable with Kazakhstan's Minister of Labor and Social Protection, Alikhan Baimenov.
Luncheon meeting with Energy Department Assistant Secretary for International Affairs David Goldwyn.
For more information on Kazakhstan and its investment climate, or USKBA membership and activities, contact:
William C. Veale
Executive Director
1200 G Street, N. W., Suite 827
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 434-8791 tel
(202) 638-3040 fax
e-mail: USKZBA@aol.com
* * *
