The next stage in the development of relations will be cooperation between the United States and Central Asia in the field of security – expert
American experts shared their assessments of how relations between the United States and the countries of Central Asia, which are already cooperating in various formats, will develop. The opinion of experts is in the material of Kazinform's own correspondent.
A new impetus to strengthen political ties between the United States and Central Asian countries was received in September 2023 at the first C5+1 summit within the framework of the UN General Assembly in New York, during which US President Joe Biden met with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. Further development was achieved in the economic sphere with the involvement of the public and private sectors at the first B5+1 Forum, held in Almaty from March 13 to 15 in order to improve the business environment between the United States and Central Asia. Key experts from influential American think tanks gave assessments on this event and the future prospects for the development of US relations with the countries of the Central Asian region.
Gavin Helf, Senior Expert on Central Asia at the United States Institute of Peace, positively assessed the B5+1 Forum, which is the result of a successful meeting between the presidents of the United States and Central Asian countries last year in New York. The expert believes that all the countries of the Central Asian region are very interested in attracting American investments. However, the question is how the Central Asian countries will create the conditions for this, what laws will be adopted that will ensure guarantees and stimulate the interest of American business in the region. According to Gavin Helf, the next stage in the development of the political "C5+1" and economic "B5+1" formats will be the expansion of cooperation between the United States and the five Central Asian countries in the field of security, which provides for a wide variety of forms of cooperation - from protecting the interests of participating countries and companies to logistics and climate change.
- Central Asia and the logistics passing through its territory, the so–called "Middle Corridor", also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, and the Chinese initiative "One Belt and One Road" are an area of mutual interest and cooperation between Western countries and China, - said Gavin Helf.
The Middle Corridor is important not only for sustainable economic growth in Central Asia, but also for the transit of goods between Europe and China.
Ralph Winnie, Vice President of the Eurasian Center, believes that the United States and Central Asian countries are moving in the right direction. A well-developed American business will contribute to the development of small and medium-sized businesses, increase jobs and become an engine of economic growth in the region. B5+1 is a unique platform for establishing contacts in the business environment, searching for partners between companies in Central Asia and the United States. According to the expert, professional contacts will develop from personal relationships.
"Those American companies that come to Central Asia not only want to trade and invest, but also want to understand the culture of the region in order to work more closely together in order to become a very viable business partner," – Ralph Winnie said.
Central Asia should have a strong security component for any type of business in the region. In this regard, the rule of law, tax incentives and other incentives will be a key factor in advancing economic ties and attracting foreign investment.
In these areas, the United States will focus its attention as part of the development of multi-format cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.
Ariel Cohen, Managing Director of the Energy, Economic Growth and Security Program at the International Tax and Investment Center, noted that it is important to fill relations between the United States and Central Asia with more content and value. The development of the economic component is very important, but the development of business with Western companies may face some difficulties. The expert recalled that the Central Asian region has no access to the sea and is far from international markets. As a result, this affects the rise in the cost of imported or exported products and resources, which makes it less competitive. However, rare earth elements, which are rich in the region, remain in demand because they do not require large volumes. The Geological Survey of Kazakhstan is very advanced in terms of digitizing information and making information accessible to Western potential investors. According to the expert, for the successful development of the B5+1 format, it is necessary to take measures to improve the speed of container transportation, reduce bureaucracy for transporting goods across several borders and increase logistics capacity.
"The United States and Europe should be involved not only in the economic sphere of Central Asia, but also in an active dialogue in the field of education, health and security," Ariel Cohen stressed.
