Abakirov Eldar - Deputy Minister of economy of Kyrgyz Republic. Mr. Abakirov was appointed Deputy Minister of economy of Kyrgyz Republic in May 2016. His previous professional experience includes working as a professor of programming in Kazakh-American College in the Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty; programmer analyst at JSC «Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of railway transport" and JSC "Bank CenterCredit" in Kazakhstan, as well as an expert in the Bank Supervision division of the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic. Mr. Abakirov Eldar has a business background and prior to becoming deputy prime minister was the member of the Audit Committee of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs of Kyrgyzstan and Financial Director of LLC «Green City management», main activities if which are tourism and hotel management.
Abdulla Khashimov - the Candidate of Political Sciences, Economist, Deputy General Director of «Intellectual Transport Systems – Central Asia» LLC, invited Head of research projects of the Center of Economic Studies of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Extensive experience of managerial and research work in the transport sphere (National Secretary of TRACECA from the Republic of Uzbekistan, Head of Joint Directorate of Auto Roads of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Director of design institutes «Uzavtodor» and «Yul Loyiha Burosi», Head of the International Transport Department of Ministry of External Economic Relations, Investments and Trade, Council of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Council of SCO Secretariat), and expert work in several projects of ADB CAREC program, UNDP, ESCAP and other international organizations.
Aigul Zhanserikova - Founder and Director of Aigul Line Company. Member of the Tourism Council under the RoK Government, member of the Council of Business Women of Almaty city and Tourist Industry Committee under Atameken RoK NCE.
Aigul was one of the originators of felting revival in Kazakhstan. At her initiative, the first workshop for production of felt goods was created in Kazakhstan in 2004, on the basis of which more than 300 unemployed women from various regions of the country were trained, subsequently several of them opened own workshops and trained other women.
Worked as a Representative of the Central Asia Mountain Program (CAMP) of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation in Kazakhstan as well as Executive Director of CAMP-Consulting NGF.
Being a national and international expert in ecology, communities’ development and alternative sources of income, she participated in implementation of several successful projects and programs at local, republic and international levels. Successful projects implemented with direct and active participation of Aigul and further replicated as positive experience include: development of eco-tourism in Saty village, restoration of degraded ranchlands of Zhambyl district of Almaty region, revival of bee-keeping in Almaty region and many others. Her project for felting revival has become an independent and sustainable business headed by Aigul since 2009. Ecologist, Cand. Sc. (Biology), graduated from the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi. Undertook a yearly internship in the University of Bern in Switzerland.
She has 9 international author's certificates, five international certificates UNESCO Quality Certificate, twice nominee as Special Treasurer of National Heritages received from the Akimat of Almaty city and National Committee for Women’s Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of RoK. Participator and organizer of several republic and international forums and events.
Akmalhon Olimhonov - Founder of the foreign trade company «ALIMKHAN Exim Group» LLC. He graduated from the Tashkent State Economic University (Bachelor, "International Economic Relations" and Master "international currency and credit relations"). PHD (thesis of PHD "Development of foreign economic relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan in conditions of globalization of the world economy". He worked as the Head of the credit department of "Uztadbirkorbank", Chief specialist of the Foreign Trade Company "Markazsanoatexport", Deputy Director, and then Director of Specialized Foreign Trade Company "Uztadbirkoreksport".
Akyerkin Eraliyeva - Deputy Chairman of the Council of Business Women, Almaty city, Atameken RoK NCE. Director of Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce LLP. Associated Professor of KBTU, Almaty Management University (IAB) and UIB on the directions: Strategic Management, Project Management, HR Management, Marketing. Doctor’s degree - PhD (KBTU). Author of more than 40 scientific articles in the field of education management. Programs graduate of the United States Department of State on social and economic development and other foreign programs. Professional experience and entrepreneurial activities in the field of development of international projects, arrangement of business events, educational and consulting services. She administers the issues of investment and external-economic activity and support of women entrepreneurship in the Entrepreneurs Chamber of Almaty city.
Alisher Isaev - is the CEO of ‘Marwin Brands’ LTD in Tashkent, a major producer of juices and nectars. He has built a solid distribution network in Uzbekistan and has worked to develop export sales, train sales staff, and develop the company’s strategic vision. Prior to joining Marwin brands, Mr. Sapaev was Commercial Director for ‘Balton Trading’ Branch Company, CEO of ‘Green Line Trading,’ CEO of ‘AJ Distribution’ LTD, and General Director of ‘FARD Distribution’ LTD, among various other businesses. Mr. Sapeav holds a diploma with honors from Tashkent Finance Institute, where he majored in International Currency and Credit Relations.
Alma Kassymova - heads the consultancy program for small business in Kazakhstan of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 2014. Has more than 15 year experience in administration and implementation of the economic development projects. From 2000 headed the projects of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Central Asia: project of regional economic cooperation in export and trade; project for small business development created a net of domestic business coaches and consultants of small and medium-size business in 16 regions of Kazakhstan; project of entrepreneurship development in Central Asia; project for improvement of business environment through elimination of business barriers of entrepreneurship; was a coordinator of the project of the World Bank on reform of the pension system of Kazakhstan. Has Bachelor’s degree in linguistics and Master’s degree in marketing. From 2008, she is a certified coach of Exxon mobil program (USA) for women - heads of Global Women in Management.
Ann Marie Yastishock - Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia. Ann Marie Yastishock is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. Prior to joining the Asia Bureau as a Deputy Assistant Administrator, she served as the Deputy Mission Director from 2012 to 2015 for the regional office of USAID covering Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and Cyprus. From August 2013 until March 2014, she served as the interim Deputy Mission Director for USAID/Burma. From March 2011 until arriving in Kyiv in 2012, she served as the Deputy Director of the USAID Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance (DRG). Prior to her assignment as the DRG Deputy Director, she was the Senior Legal Advisor to USAID/Afghanistan, from November 2008 to November 2010. From 2002-2007, she served as the Resident Legal Advisor to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. While in Georgia, she managed the Rule of Law portfolio for the Mission. Prior to joining USAID in 2001, she worked as a Rule of Law Liaison for ABA/CEELI with the parliaments of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan and implemented programs with law students and legislative drafters in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan. Prior to going overseas, she served as the Deputy Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania Independent Regulatory Review Commission and as a Research Analyst in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Environmental Resources Committee. She is a graduate of Widener University School of Law with a J.D. and Penn State University with a B.S. in Economics. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar.
Arsen Kerimbekov - from 2010 to present - Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kazagromarketing. Since 2002 he is engaged in providing products and supplies. From 2002 to 2004 Regional Director of Department of Commerce in Kostanay region of Kazakhstan, Economics and Business; from 2004 to 2006 - Director of Astana city Department; 2008-2010 – representative of JSC “Socio-Entrepreneurial corporation Tobol” (Kostanai and North Kazakhstan region) in Astana. He takes part in the project - "Food belt of Astana", coordinates and advises of the regions on creation of stabilization funds and food zones. Scope of his industrial interests - the prevention of food price spikes and marketing consultancy.
Asim Raza Ahmad - after completing his education as Law Graduate has joined his family business of wheat flour milling in 1996. Mr. Asim Raza Ahmad has varied experience in the flour milling industry and has been associated with it since 1996. He was the Vice Chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association for the period 1998-99 and 1999-2000. He was elected Chairman of Pakistan Flour Mills Association Punjab Branch in 2008-09. He has been elected as Chairman of Central Committee of Pakistan Flour Mills Association for the period 2010-11 and 2014-15. He has been the Chairman of Investment Board of Workers Welfare Fund, Government of Pakistan. He is member of Governing Body of Workers Welfare Fund representing flour milling industry. He was also appointed as Chairman Standing Committee of FPCCI in 2012. Mr. Asim Raza Ahmad is also Chairman Wheat Flour Fortification Committee working for improved Nutrition in Pakistan with the collaboration of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), Geneva. He has attended several Workshops/Seminars locally and abroad relating to wheat flour milling industry.
Aziza Yuldasheva - Executive Director of Zher Azygy, the Association of Agrobusinessmen of Kyrgyzstan.
Member of the Investment Council under the Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, head of the Secretariat of the National Alliance of Business Associations on South of the Kyrgyz Republic, member of Kural Women Forum NGO, head of Business Women Club of Osh city.
Annually, since 2004 she has been caring out Agro-Expo Silk Way, the international exhibition fairs, for all three countries of Fergana Valley in Osh city, wherein about 50 companies from 14 countries participate and more than 4000 farmers visit.
Promoted opening of 21 agro-shops under single trade mark Zher Azygy AAK for the farmers of rural area of the south of Kyrgyzstan.
Carries out activity for women entrepreneurship development and arranges Demilgeluu Aiym, the regional competition for young women of the south of the country, which assists to support and open new women business.
Bakhtiyor Ismailovich - Since 1995 he worked at the Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Specialization: national and regional security, analysis of democratic institutions formation processes, public administration theory.
Since 2001 he is a Chief Research Scientist, a Research Coordinator at the Economic Research Centre (Tashkent). Scope of work: institutional analysis; administrative reform; public service reform.
Since 2008 he addresses the issues of spatial / territorial development; analysis of urbanization and industrialization processes, development of the transport sector in Uzbekistan.
Berik Bulekbayev - honorable railwayman, Head of independent research center «Economtransconsulting» LLP on transport logistics issues. He has extensive experience of research, expert and consulting work in the area of railway transport. He is a member of the working commission on development of regulatory-legal documents related to railway transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.He is a current member of Association of National Forwarding Agents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Secretary of Federation of Associations of Carriers and Operators of CAREC. He is a participant of many international programs and projects of Asian Development Bank, USAID, JICA (Japan), ECOSOC, UNECE etc.
Bulat Sultanov - Director of Scientific Institute of International and Regional Cooperation of the Kazakh-German University. Honored Scientist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Honored Worker of the Diplomatic Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Honorary Professor of the Kazakh Economic University named after Ryskulov; Honorary Professor of the Shanghai University of International Studies, Doctor of Historical Sciences. Member of the Scientific Expert Council of the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. Member of the Expert Council of the Security Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Member of Scientific Expert Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (Moscow). International adviser of the Shanghai University of International Studies (China). Member of the Editorial Board of "Russia and the new states of Eurasia" magazine, which is published by the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences, "World Economy and International Relations" magazine of the Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Author of 11 books (including joint authorship) on international relations and security problems, and more than 200 articles on the same subject.
Cordula Rastogi - Senior Transport Economist, Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice, World Bank Group, Washington DC. Cordula Rastogi has more than 15 years of work experience in transportation, logistics and connectivity, including World Bank-supported lending and non-lending transport and trade-logistics projects in a number of countries in East Asia and the Pacific, South Asia, Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. Her recent work includes transport (road/rail) corridor and connectivity projects in the Central Asia region as well as maritime logistics in Indonesia. Dr. Rastogi has extensive experience in policy dialogue on transportation and logistics with Bank clients and has led the preparation of various pieces of analytical work, including a recently published book, The Eurasian Connection: Supply-Chain Efficiency along the Modern Silk Route through Central Asia. She holds a PhD from the Free University of Berlin (Germany).
Daniel Rosenblum - Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Daniel Rosenblum is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia at the U.S. Department of State. Working within the State Department’s Bureau for South and Central Asian Affairs, Mr. Rosenblum oversees U.S. policy towards and diplomatic relations with the five Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. During 2008-2014, he was Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia. He was responsible for ensuring the efficient allocation and spending of foreign aid budgets averaging over $1 billion annually. His office provided strategic guidance and oversight for all U.S. foreign assistance to more than 30 countries in the former Soviet Union, the Western Balkans, and Central Europe. He and his team coordinated the efforts of more than a dozen U.S. government agencies supporting economic reform, the development of democratic institutions and rule of law, building the capacity of law-enforcement and other security-sector institutions, and relieving human suffering through humanitarian aid. Mr. Rosenblum held a variety of other positions in the Assistance Coordinator's office, including Deputy Coordinator, Director of the Eurasia Division, and Special Advisor for Economic Programs. He played the lead role in developing economic initiatives for several regions of Russia; served as the State Department liaison to 10 U.S.-backed investment funds operating in the region. Before coming to the State Department, Mr. Rosenblum spent six years as Senior Program Coordinator at the Free Trade Union Institute (FTUI) of the AFL-CIO. FTUI conducted educational programs and provided technical assistance to labor unions in the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe and managed the operation of field offices in Moscow, Kyiv, and Warsaw. Mr. Rosenblum also served as a public spokesman for the AFL-CIO on the labor movement in the former Soviet Union, and social problems associated with the transition to a market economy. During 1985-89, Mr. Rosenblum worked as a legislative assistant to Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan), where he advised the Senator on foreign policy, human rights, judiciary, trade, and transportation issues. Mr. Rosenblum has a BA in History from Yale University and an MA in Soviet Studies and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.
Daniel Saslavsky - is an Economist with the Global Trade Unit in the Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice of the World Bank Group since 2010. Prior to this, he was Deputy Director of the International Economics Program in CIPPEC, the largest public policy think tank in Argentina. He has more than 10 years of experience working in transport, logistics and trade facilitation issues in Latin America, Africa and Asia. He is an economist by training and has graduate studies in international affairs in Argentina and Johns Hopkins SAIS in Washington DC.
Denis Gayvoronskiy - General Manager of Confectionery house "Kulikovsky". The Kulikovsky is a leading manufacturer of confectioneries in Kyrgyzstan; the company is actively developing its own branded retail in Kazakhstan and in China as well. Under Denis leadership the Kulikovsky significantly increased production capacity - it has received the international food safety certificate ISO 22000, has extended its own branded retail in Kyrgyzstan and entered the markets of Kazakhstan, Russia and China. Denis began his career in one of the largest distribution companies in Kyrgyzstan - «Forester», where he became the Director of the Department of sales and logistics. He continued his career in Europe - as the General Director of the distribution company «Valter UAB». Denis Gayvoronskiy was recruited as a business consultant in the Kulikovsky and continued his work as the General Director. European experience helped Denis to reform the Kulikovsky and bring the company to a new level, creating a new Eurasian brand.
Dzmitry Kniahin - Consultant in Market Analysis and Research, Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre, Geneva, Switzerland.
Dzmitry Kniahin is a quantitative economist in the Market Analysis and Research section of the International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). His area of expertise is in trade policy analysis. Mr. Kniahin is a part of a Market Access Map services team and conducts customized studies. He recently co-authored an in-depth analysis of Trans-Pacific Partnership and its impacts on trade liberalization, and designed the TPP Tariff module in Market Access Map. Dzmitry holds a master’s degree in Economics from University of Lausanne (Switzerland) and a bachelor degree in Economics from Lomonosov Moscow State University (summa cum laude).
Elisabeth Millard - U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan. Elisabeth I. Millard was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to Tajikistan on December 14, 2015. Ambassador Millard is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the senior rank of Minister-Counselor. She brings years of substantive knowledge and experience in South and Central Asia having served in India and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Kazakhstan, as well as several tours at the National Security Council, including as Senior Director and Special Assistant to the President for South and Central Asia. Ambassador Millard joined the Foreign Service in 1992. She also served in Casablanca, Copenhagen, Kathmandu, and Prague, and has held several domestic assignments. Before joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Millard worked as a Project Coordinator for Delphi International, as a Project Specialist for USAID in New Delhi, and as a Banking Associate for Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company in Manama, Bahrain. Ambassador Millard received a B.Sc.(Econ) in 1978 from the London School of Economics and an M.A. from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in 1981. She has earned numerous Department of State performance awards. She speaks German, French, Swedish, Danish and some Russian.
Elnura Kassymova - General Director of VIProMotion Communication Group LLP. The Company specializes in arrangement of business events: forums, exhibitions, conferences, business meetings and seminars. Since 2006, the Company headed by Elnura has arranged more than 100 business events in Kazakhstan and abroad in cooperation with government institutions, international organizations, commercial companies and business associations. Before 2006, Elnura was an editor of Fashion Press Media, the international media-holding, as well as project manager of BBG Group Company. In 2016, Elnura founded start-up in the field of remote on-line education. Elnura has Bachelor’s degree from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University.
George Krol - U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan. Ambassador George A. Krol was sworn in as United States Ambassador to Kazakhstan on January 8, 2015. Previously, he served as U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan for four years. Ambassador Krol is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, holding the senior rank of Minister-Counselor and most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. He joined the Foreign Service in 1982 and served as U.S. Ambassador to Belarus 2003-2006. He has served in overseas postings in Warsaw, New Delhi, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Kiev and Minsk, and has held several domestic assignments including as Director of the State Department’s Office of Russian Affairs, and as Special Assistant to the Ambassador-at-large for the New Independent States. He has also taught at the National War College and was a member of the State Department’s Senior Seminar. Ambassador Krol is the recipient of several State Department Meritorious and Superior Honor awards. Ambassador Krol is a graduate of Harvard University and Oxford University, England.
Hikmat Abdurahmanov - is Chairman of the Association of International Business & Technologies and Head of a commercial group of companies with total core staff of 70 people involved in international business, including business tourism, trade, finance, logistics, and advisory services for local small & medium enterprises, and cooperating with China, EU, USA, South East Asia and other export oriented markets offering highly competitive technologies and equipment to Uzbekistan. His leadership has brought equipment and technologies valued at over 70 million USD for SME's, and created opportunities for over 3000 Uzbek business executives and government officials to visit foreign trade shows, factories, forums etc. Mr. Abdurahmanov holds bachelors and masters degrees in International Economic Relations from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent, and a masters in International Business from School of Management at the St. Andrews in UK.
Holger Wiefel - is the Head of the Regional Programme on Small Business Support at EBRD, Kazakhstan and Mongolia and took up his post in 2013. Mr. Wiefel is an experienced project manager and financial sector development expert specialising on Small & Medium sized Enterprises. He coordinated the EBRD Ukraine Micro Lending Programme (UMLP) and the EBRD Micro and Small Enterprise Financing Facility in Kyrgyzstan. Holger, a trained public economist, holds an MBA from Mannheim Business School, Germany and from Tongji University Shanghai, China
Igor Kachalov - President of management centre clear solutions
Professor in IBS Academy of National Economy under President of Russia Well known marketing specialist, consultant with more than 23 years experience, performed more than 300 business projects for 150 clients. The only Russian marketer with 12 years contract for Coca-Cola HBC. Kachalov Igor have been acknowledged by full range of business awards:
- marketing consultancy agency
- №1 promo technique
- TOP-3 marketing professors
- TOP-3 business books
- TOP-10 marketing consultants
- TOP-50 marketing books
High efficiency of Kachalov’s works have been proved by his clients’ sales growth for billions of dollars. ClearSolutions.ru
Iskakov Ruslan - Chairman of the Management Board, Performs management of the Corporation activities,
Supervises Deputies of the Chairman of the Management Board, Managing Director, Underwriting Department and Counsellor.
Citizenship: Republic of Kazakhstan
Born on December 23, 1980
In 2003 he graduated from Shakarim Semipalatinsk State University, accounting and economic faculty.
Started labour activities in 2004 in Risk Management Department of Kazkommertsbank JSC. From October 2006 to October 2008 took the position of the Head of Project Risks Analysis Office of Risk Management Department, Kazkommertsbank JSC.
From April 2010 to April 2011 he was the Head of the Corporate Clients Department of Sberbank of Russia JSC SB Almaty Branch. Within the period from 2011 to 2014 he took the position of Deputy Director of Major Clients Department of Sberbank of Russia JSC SB.
Overall, he gained 10-years’ experience of work in the finance sector where he took different positions in the commercial banks of Kazakhstan.
Within the period from 2014 to 2015 he was Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Export-loaning insurance corporation KazExportGarant JSC.
Since February 2016 he is the Chairman of the Management Board of Export-loaning insurance corporation KazExportGarant JSC.
Jakhongir Imamnazarov - Country manager of the Regional Economic Cooperation Project of USAID. He graduated from the faculty of "International Economic Relations", Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies. He has 9 years of banking experience and extensive experience (about 10 years) in international organizations (UNDP and ADB).
Janet Heckman - Director for Kazakhstan, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).
Janet Heckman was appointed Country Director for Kazakhstan for The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in July 2012. Prior to EBRD Janet worked for Citigroup as a Managing Director in corporate banking for 32 years in 7 countries including: the UK, Algeria, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Greece and Bahrain. Janet was vice president of Amcham in Romania and on the board in Bulgaria. She was also Chairman of the Fulbright board in Bulgaria and a board member in Hungary and Romania. Janet has a MSFS degree in International relations (Georgetown University), an undergraduate degree in history (Kenyon College), studied at the American University in Beirut and between her degrees was a Peace Corps volunteer in Bahrain.
Karl Gheysen - Chief Executive Officer LLP “KTZE-Khorgos Gateway”. Karl Gheysen was born in Belgium, 1970. He graduated from HIEPSO in Kortrijk, and later continued his education through different management courses at both Strayer University, as well as INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
He is a Senior Manager for over 15 years, in both container terminals, port management and logistic projects management.
He started his career in Ahlers, Antwerp – an international logistics and maritime service provider – with having managed major markets of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
From 2004 to 2007 – Regional Manager Bas Congo, SDV – Congo D.R.C. (Bolloré Africa Logistics).
From 2008 to 2014 – General Manager, TEMA Container Terminal Ghana Ltd.
Since August 2014, he holds the position of Chief Executive Officer at “KTZE – Khorgos Gateway LLP”. This is the Dry Port and Economic Zone project which is managed by DP World and is located on the border of Kazakhstan and China, along the New Silk Route.
Larisa Kislyakova - Department Director, Association of International Automobile Carriers of Tajikistan “ABBAT.” Mrs. Kislyakova has a twenty-year experience in external economic and trade areas. She used to be a Head of the working group for Tajikistan accession to the WTO. Expert in trade and transportation services.
Lisa Kaestner - Practice Manager, Trade and Competitiveness
World Bank Group.
Lisa KAESTNER is Practice Manager for the World Bank Group’s Trade and Competitiveness (T&C) Global Practice in Europe and Central Asia. Based in Vienna, she leads a team that delivers financing and advice in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The program supports the private-sector-led growth through the development of trade, investment climate, competitive sectors, and innovation and entrepreneurship.
Prior to this assignment, Lisa managed the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) program to improve investment climate in Europe and Central Asia. This program provided advice to governments across the region on policy and implementation reforms to foster private sector growth and investment in these countries. Earlier, Lisa led strategy for IFC in Central and Eastern Europe. In that capacity, Lisa contributed to IFC's investment and advisory projects in the region, particularly in the areas of strategy, economic analysis and development impact, as well as coordination with the World Bank ECA Region on joint IFC-Bank activities.
Lisa originally joined IFC in 1999 as the Corporation's representative in Georgia. Before IFC, she worked with several nonprofit development organizations in the Caucasus. Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Economics from Princeton.
Manizha Muhammadzoda - entrepreneur, specialist in IT and software development in the field of medicine, education and other electronic state services, chairman of the Association of Innovation Technological Entrepreneurship. Manizha Muhammadzoda has wide experience both in non-governmental sector and in business. Being an initiator of several start-up projects, she proposed to develop and implement Protelemed electronic system, the first national system for automation of medical services in ambulatory sector. More than 20 web and mobile applications used in Tajikistan and in other countries were developed under her supervision. Being a co-founder of WAVE of Tajikistan Company which develops and supports investment projects and import and export activity at the international market, Manizha supports women’s entrepreneurship.
Manizha Muhammadzoda is an initiator of Technopark Business Incubator of Tajikistan Project implemented within the frames of the Association of Innovation and Technological Entrepreneurship. This Project forms actively the start-up of ecosystem in the Republic of Tajikistan. In 2016, she was selected by TechWomen Program as a participant from the Republic of Tajikistan. She supervises development of such directions as Women in Technologies wherein the Association cooperates with CRDF Global, USAID, ADB, UN Women, RVC innovation and youth cluster, Eurasia Mobile Challenge, StartupWeekend, GEW and many others.
Meruert Kazbekova - Deputy of Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Secretary of the Committee on Economic Reform and Regional Development, President of ASIA Business Association of Business Woman, Association of Legal Entities, Chairman of the Union of Business Women of Kazakhstan NGO. Graduated from the Almaty Institute of National Economy, Academy of Civil Service under the President of Russian Federation. Candidate of Political Science, Master of Economics, Politologist. Meruert Kazbekova is a founder and head of the Republic School of Women Leadership.
Ms. Elaine Marie Conkievich - Director of the Multi-Country Department UN Women Central Asia, UN Women Representative in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Elain Conkievich is an experienced specialist in the field of international development having more than 20 year experience in the field of human rights and rule of law, gender mainstreaming, democratic institution building, conflict resolution, and preventive diplomacy. Before appointment as UN Women Representative in RoK, Elain Conkievich was a Director of the Democratization Department of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
During work for OSCE, UN and international NGO, she took such positions as Country Director of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in the Republic of Tajikistan as well as Consultant of European Commission and UK International Development Ministry; Deputy Head of OSCE Office in Erevan and Senior Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator in Armenia; Senior Specialist of programs of the Central Asia Mission to the OSCE Secretariat in Austria; Advisor of the OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in the Republic of Belarus; Acting General Director on Human Rights of the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She worked in Switzerland as a UNITAR Programme Assistant; was a member of the CSCE Mission in Latvia; was a member of the Political Department of the US Embassy in Berlin.
Pamela Spratlen - U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan. Pamela L. Spratlen was sworn in as United States Ambassador to Uzbekistan on December 18, 2014. A career member of the Foreign Service, Ambassador Spratlen has over 20 years of policy and leadership accomplishment across a wide variety of assignments, including her most recent position as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic. Before serving as the Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, she was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. Ambassador Spratlen’s senior Washington assignments include her roles as Director of Western European Affairs, Director of Central Asian Affairs (2006-2007), Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central Asia (2007-2008) and Special Assistant to the Counselor of the State Department (2005-2006). Ambassador Spratlen served overseas as Consul General in Vladivostok, Russia (2002-2004). Prior to that, she served as Assistance Coordinator at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. She was a Fellow and Diplomat-in-Residence at the East-West Center in Honolulu in 2004-2005. Ambassador Spratlen served in two multilateral missions, including the U.S Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American States (1992-94). She worked in the Executive Secretariat of the State Department (1999-2000) and spent her first tour in Guatemala (1990-1992). Ambassador Spratlen received her bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and holds master’s degrees from the Army War College (Strategic Studies) and the University of California at Berkeley. Ambassador Spratlen has received numerous awards, including the Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards at State. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, she served for almost nine years as a professional committee staff member in the California Legislature. Ambassador Spratlen speaks Russian, French, and Spanish.
Raushan Sarsembayeva - President of the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan,
Member of the National Committee for Women’s Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Sociological Science
From 1995 till now she is a head of the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan consisting of more than 15 000 members and having the net of non-government organizations throughout the country. Activity of the Association is focused on formation of high status of women in the society, assistance for women in social and life orientation. Raushan Sarsembayeva is a head and organiser of various projects and events in the following directions: Woman and Policy, Woman and Business, Woman and Employment, Gender and Development.
From 1995 till now Raushan represents worthy the feminist movement of Kazakhstan at various international forums and conferences. From 2002, the Association of Business Women of Kazakhstan is an international partner of the Global Summit of Women (GSW). From 2012 the Association is a member of the World Association of Business Women (FCEM).
Roman Mogilevskiy - Ph.D. in Physics and Mathematics, associate professor and research program manager of the Institute of Public Policy and Administration of the University of Central Asia. He has extensive experience in research and expert work and teaching for various projects and programs for the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations Development Program, UNICEF and other international organizations and is an author of numerous publications on issues of socioeconomic development of the countries of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. His research interests include international trade, macroeconomic modeling, state finances and social policy.
Samuel Munyaneza - Economic Affairs Officer, International Trade in Goods and Services and Commodities, UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland.
Samuel Munyaneza is an Economic Affairs Officer of the Trade Information Section in the Trade Analysis Branch of the Division on International Trade in Goods and Services and Commodities of UNCTAD. The section is responsible, inter alia, for collecting and disseminating information on market access conditions, including tariff and non-tariff measures. Since the early 1990’s, the information has been disseminated as a package known as Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) currently disseminated through the World Bank-UNCTAD software, the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS).
Mr. Munyanezahas been a staff member of the UNCTAD secretariat for over 18 years, always specializing in the development and dissemination of databases and information systems of trade and market access data. He has in-depth knowledge of the technical issues related to negotiations and research in tariff and other market access conditions and has vast experience in conducting trainings and workshops in developing countries. Mr. Munyaneza holds a Master’s degree in Applied Statistics.
Sanzhar Kettebekov - CEO, Autonomous Cluster Fund (Almaty Tech Garden), Kazakhstan. Mr. Kettebekov has been CEO of Kazakhstan’s National Innovation Cluster management company since 2015, which focuses on smart environment and industry, new materials and energy, e-commerce and new media. Previously, he has held positions in innovative companies and startups working on cuttingedge interactive and intelligence technologies. Mr. Kettebekov is co-founder of Segment Interactive - a technology incubator focused on next generation solutions for media monetization and e-commerce using behavioural analytics. He holds a doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University and a research faculty position at MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab working in collaboration with Harvard Medical on multimodal monitoring and interaction.
Shabdanaliev Temirbek - Chairman of the Association of Carriers and Logistics of Kyrgyz Republic. Mr. Shabdanaliev has 28 years of working experience in private sector, 15 years in the non-governmental, professional organizations and international projects (USAID, World Bank). Starting from 2004 to present, he is working as the Chairman of the Association of Carriers and Logistics. Throughout his career, he has made significant contribution to the promotion of international trade and the removal of trade barriers in the Central - Asian region, by establishing business relationships with other countries, organizing conferences and conducting studies on the topic of “Existing informal payments in trade sector of Central Asia.” The acquired knowledge and experience on advocacy and lobbying have enabled Mr. Shabdanaliev to strengthen the work in the Kyrgyz Republic against corruption, red tape, to remove barriers to entrepreneurship, unite civil society and promote economic change in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia. Currently he is one of the active participants of Central Asian Partnership Platforms, which should become a base for the consolidation of the efforts of governments, entrepreneurs and professional community of the Central Asia for the development of export and diversification of trade, transport, logistics and transit.
Ulugbek Kamaletdinov - Head of "Department of competitive environment development and unfair competition preventing" of the "State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Privatization, Demonopolization and Competition Development". He graduated Tashkent State University of Economics (bachelor) and the Banking-Finance Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan (master). He has 7 years of experience in government, as well as 5 years of experience in international organizations (UNDP in Uzbekistan).
Wolfgang Fengler - Lead Economist, World Bank Group, Vienna, Austria. Wolfgang Fengler is a World Bank Lead Economist based in Vienna, where he has covered Southeast Europe since 2013 while engaging in a number of other regions, including Central Asia since 2015. A native German, Wolfgang has been with the World Bank for more than 16 years, during which time he lived in the USA, Indonesia, Kenya, and Austria. He also co-hosts the “Future Development” blog and has spoken at a TEDx conference where he presented, ‘A Big Data Innovation: population.io.’ Previously, Wolfgang was the CEO of Africa Consulting, LLC and a Fellow at the Research Institute for International Relations. Wolfgana received his PhD from the University of Hamburg (Germany).
Yuliy Yusupov - Director of the non-governmental organization “Center for Economic Development” (Uzbekistan) (www.ced.uz). He has extensive business consulting experience in all five Central Asian Republics. His research interests include economic development, economic policy and business development. He is also a seasoned teacher, trainer, and coach who has authored several books, monographs and analytical reports. His clients have included the UN, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank, USAID, German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Yuriy Lavrinenko - Deputy Chairman of KAZLOGISTICS, Union of Transport Workers of Kazakhstan. His work experience began at a position of Pavlodar-Yuzhnaya Station Duty Officer, then he worked as an Engineer, Senior Engineer, Chief Engineer, and Chief of the Station. He was a Chief of Almaty railway department from 1989 to 1992, and then he was the First Deputy Head of Pavlodar regional administration (1992-1994). He held the positions of the Head of Administration and Akim of East Kazakhstan region (17.06.1994-30.11.1995). He held the position of the Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 1995 to 1997, the Advisor of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan (10.1997-03.1999); Deputy Akim of Akmola region (03.1999-11.1999); First Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan (09.2002-26.08.2005). He held the positions of Managing Director, Director of the branch of KTZh National Company JSC - Trunk Network Directorate (09.2006-09.2007); Director General of Kamkor Repair Corporation LLP (09.2007-2008) and Director General of Kamkor Management LLP (07.2008 - 12.2010). He is the Candidate of Economic Sciences, and he was also awarded with Kurmet Order.
