AmCham Team took part in the Central Asia Regional Digital Trade & Women’s Economic Empowerment working groups held in Almaty, Kazakhstan on May 13-14, 2024. The event was organized by CLDP (Commercial Law Development Program) and the US Department of Commerce, focusing on cross-border electronic payments and digital trade policy in Central Asia.

Representatives from governments, business associations, and the private sector across Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan participated in the working groups. They collaborated on developing policy recommendations for electronic payment compatibility, proposing inclusive digital trade policies, and fostering public-private dialogue.

Throughout the meeting, CLDP, in partnership with USAID’s Future Growth Initiative, presented findings from a payment compatibility assessment in Central Asia, pinpointing areas for improvement.
Following the assessment, participants of the working groups-initiated discussions on specific feedback and proposed initiatives for policy changes in each of the five countries. They also worked on devising measures to promote the development of digital commerce and economic empowerment in Central Asia.