From September 21 to 24, 2024, the Regional Task Force on the Development of the Financial and Banking Sector in Central Asia took place in the Republic of Tajikistan.
The event brought together IBECA Program Managers, members of the Regional Task Force from the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, as well as representatives of business associations, private financial institutions and commercial banks, international and donor organizations, and the regulatory authorities of Tajikistan.

The meeting was dedicated to discussing key challenges and barriers in the region’s financial and banking sector, identifying priority areas for reform, and developing recommendations to be presented to the governments of the participating countries at the upcoming B5+1 Business Dialogue Platform.

During the discussions, participants analyzed the main challenges and constraints facing the regional financial and banking sector, explored possible solutions through legal reforms, and identified priority areas for improving the business environment. Work was also carried out on drafting recommendations for the governments of the four countries, with an emphasis on the importance of securing support and expertise from the U.S. side. Another important point on the agenda was the discussion of banking sanctions and challenges related to international transactions.

Participants also discussed the upcoming B5+1 Forum, which will take place in Bishkek in February 2026. For the first time, this large-scale event will be hosted in the Kyrgyz Republic and will serve as an important platform for dialogue between representatives of Central Asian countries and the United States. The Forum will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, addressing current challenges, and exploring new opportunities for business and investment development.

The American Chamber of Commerce was represented at the event by its Executive Director, Altynai Asanova, who contributed to the discussions aimed at shaping a more transparent, resilient, and investment-friendly financial environment in Central Asia.