Altynai Asanova, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in the Kyrgyz Republic, spoke on air at “Birinchi Radio”, where she shared insights on how the United States is building trade and economic relations with Central Asia, and outlined the prospects for the Kyrgyz Republic on the international stage.

According to her, the United States engages with Central Asia not as a group of individual countries, but as a unified region with a combined population of approximately 80 million people. This approach is driven by the needs of international business, for which market scale is a key factor.

“When we integrate with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the market reaches a higher level and becomes more attractive to partners,” Asanova noted.

Among the priority areas of cooperation between the United States and the region, she highlighted sectors such as IT, critical minerals, agribusiness, and tourism. These sectors have the greatest potential for attracting investment and expanding partnerships.

The Executive Director also emphasized the growing interest in the Kyrgyz Republic as a standalone destination. The country is increasingly perceived by foreign partners and tourists as a hidden gem.

International audiences, particularly from the United States and Europe, show strong interest in handicrafts, organic products, as well as Kyrgyz fruits and dried fruits. At the same time, the main constraining factor for entering international markets remains insufficient production volumes.

Asanova also noted that in order to export products, particularly to the U.S. market, producers must comply with strict requirements, including certification and regulatory standards. These requirements may vary depending on the state, while access to complete and up-to-date information remains limited.

She further emphasized that the American Chamber of Commerce primarily represents large and medium-sized enterprises, whereas many craft producers with export potential operate in the regions and are not yet integrated into business associations.

Thus, despite existing challenges, the Kyrgyz Republic is gradually strengthening its position as a promising participant in the regional market and an attractive destination for international cooperation.

Full interview available at the link.