A New Model of Cooperation
According to the statement by Donald Trump's special envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, the USA plans to strengthen its economic presence in Central Asia in the coming years. The region has once again become a priority for American authorities amid a shift in economic strategy.The minister stated that the active involvement of the USA and the engagement of the local business community strengthen investor confidence and open new opportunities for trade, investment, and technological cooperation.
First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev noted that the authorities of all countries have begun actions that were agreed upon by the leaders of Kyrgyzstan, the USA, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Achieving the set goals will be carried out through specific projects and partnerships.
Gor emphasized that these steps are aimed at "combating illegal migration and enhancing visa control." The USA intends to actively develop business relations with all countries in the region across various sectors, including e-commerce and transportation. This policy is beneficial for both the States and the countries of Central Asia.
The director of the High Technology Park, Azis Abakirov, informed the editorial team that the export of the IT sector covers 70 countries, with the USA ranking first among them. Over the past three years, more than a hundred startups from Kyrgyzstan have been sent to Silicon Valley. He noted that visa restrictions are a critical issue for Kyrgyzstan's IT sector, which aims to secure a strong position in the global artificial intelligence market.
"Therefore, we are negotiating with partners. I hope that at least in terms of providing visas for startups, we can simplify the procedures. This is a problem not only for Kyrgyzstan but for many other countries," he noted.
At the forum, representatives of American businesses and authorities acknowledged the existing problems; however, no direct promises were made regarding the lifting of restrictions. Both sides agreed to continue the dialogue to find possible solutions.
Ways to cooperate in the field of e-commerce were also discussed, emphasizing the importance of removing barriers and simplifying international transactions on marketplaces to accelerate interregional interaction.
The forum in Bishkek confirmed that the USA is re-establishing Central Asia as one of the key regions, focusing on the private sector and specific projects rather than traditional diplomacy. Nevertheless, visa restrictions remain a significant barrier to the mobility of people and companies. Although the American side acknowledged the problem, it did not propose quick solutions, and the "B5+1" format faces a serious test in practice ahead. One can only hope that the promises will not remain empty and will indeed lead to strengthened interaction between Central Asia and the USA.
