Bishkek has hosted a two-day B5+1 Forum, which is concluding today.
Radio Liberty reported on February 4 that the event brought together government officials and business leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the United States to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic cooperation.
According to RFE/RL, One of the forum’s most prominent participants is U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Ambassador Sergio Gor, who told reporters that Washington is committed to expanding economic and trade engagement with Central Asia.
“The United States wants to work with this region. We prioritize Central Asia and intend to build on this engagement over the next three years of this administration,” Gor was cited as saying. He reportedly acknowledged that the region had received limited attention in the past, adding that under President Donald Trump’s leadership, Washington aims to change that approach.
U.S. companies are reportedly playing an active role at the forum. All American Rail Group, a U.S. rail infrastructure firm, is exploring potential projects in Kyrgyzstan, reflecting American interest in regional transport development alongside existing Chinese-led railway initiatives.
Other U.S. participants include GE Healthcare, Pfizer, Abbott, Nasdaq, and StoneX. For Central Asian businesses and government officials, the forum provides a platform to present domestic projects and forge partnerships aimed at translating investment discussions into concrete agreements.
Delegations from all five Central Asian countries are taking part, combining government representatives and business leaders in panel discussions, networking events, and bilateral meetings with U.S. counterparts.
RFE/RL notes that despite ongoing challenges in attracting foreign investment, several Central Asian countries have recently taken steps to strengthen economic ties with the United States. Uzbekistan has announced plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in U.S. projects over the next decade, covering infrastructure, technology, agriculture, and energy. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, highlighted the steady growth of its trade and investment cooperation with American companies.
