Tashkent, Uzbekistan (May 12, 2000)- Leading U.S. companies, such as 3M, Agilent Technologies, and General Electric, will forge relationships with representatives from eight Caspian region countries, when the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (TDA) sponsors The Caspian Health Care Symposium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from June 5 to 7, 2000.

The Caspian Health Care Symposium will focus on the transformation of health care in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through importing U.S. technology, equipment and services. Business opportunities for the symposium range from the acquisition of medical equipment to procurement of pharmaceuticals.

With the recent discovery of massive oil and gas reserves, the Caspian region provides substantial opportunities for foreign direct investment and growing exports. The health sector has been identified as presenting significant possibilities for U.S. exports of equipment and expertise. "When these countries begin to build an economic surplus, one of the first areas they are going to improve is health care," said J. Joseph Grandmaison, director of TDA.

More than 30 business opportunities have been identified for the symposium, many of which already have financial backing from the World Bank. In addition, representatives from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation, Export-Import Bank of the United States and Overseas Private Investment Corporation will be on hand to make presentations and discuss the financial aspects of doing business in the Caspian region.

Prime Minister Utkur Sultanov of Uzbekistan will welcome U.S. companies to the symposium. Dr. Thomas Novotny, director of the Office of International and Refugee Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will give the keynote address. U.S. companies will then have the opportunity to sit down with the Ministers of Health from representing countries in one-on-one meetings to further discuss upcoming projects. "This symposium will help U.S. companies get their foot in the door in a region that has enormous potential," said Grandmaison.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency assists in the creation of jobs for Americans by helping U.S. companies pursue overseas business opportunities. Through the funding of feasibility studies, orientation visits, training grants, various forms of technical assistance, and meetings such as this business outreach session, TDA enables American businesses to become involved in the planning stages of infrastructure and industrial projects in developing and middle-income countries.

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