POST-EVENT BRIEF

REGIONAL WOMEN’S SUMMIT 2022

TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN

USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity

September 21, 2022

HIGHLIGHTS

o The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) hosted the second-annual Regional
Women’s Summit on September 21, 2022 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The Summit’s theme is, Women
in Trade: Challenges and Opportunities in Central Asia. Best Practices.

o The summit brought together 150 female-owned and female-managed businesses, activists,
businesswomen’s associations, government agencies and NGOs from all over Central Asia to
collaborate on how best to integrate gender considerations into all sectors of the economies of
Central Asia countries, particularly into trade and customs.

o Co-hosted by USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity, the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development, and the U.S. Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP).

o USAID Uzbekistan Mission Director Mikaela Meredith, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis
Tanzila Narbaeva, EBRD Uzbekistan Country Director Alkis Drakinos, and CLDP Attorney-
Advisor Tamar Satterwhite gave opening speeches.

o The summit’s agenda included sessions titled, “Women in Customs: How Gender Balance Can
Make Customs More Resilient, Credible, and Representative?”, “The Role of E-Commerce in
Global Trade: How Can Women in Developing Countries Harness E-Commerce?”, and “The
Impact of Current Geopolitical Changes on the Global Trade and Supply Chain.” Discussions
centered on the benefits of opening a Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Uzbekistan
office, and current geopolitical changes regarding supply chains, air transportation, and global trade
issues.

o As a result, four Central Asian Associations of Businesswomen signed quadripartite Memorandum

of Understanding (MOU) on key regional cooperation initiatives and proposed to take a leadership
on the next Regional Women’s Summit.

o Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) established its Uzbekistan office in Tashkent with
support from USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity.

o Additionally, the Uzbek and Tajik women microcredit organizations concluded a cooperation
agreement.

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BACKGROUND
Today an unprecedented number of women around the world have lost their jobs, incomes and
careers through the post-pandemic period. Women’s skills, experiences and productivity are still
significantly underutilized across the globe. Female participation in the labor force and the economy
fosters economic and business growth. According to the World Bank, simply closing the gender wage
gap would increase global wealth by $160 trillion.

OPENING REMARKS

Opening speeches were given by the USAID Uzbekistan Mission Director Mikaela Meredith, Chairperson
of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Tanzila Narbaeva, EBRD Uzbekistan Country Director Alkis Drakinos,
and CLDP Attorney-Advisor Tamar Satterwhite.

Speaking at the summit, USAID Uzbekistan Mission Director Mikaela Meredith welcomed participants:

“The United States is committed to

empowering women and girls. At USAID,
we believe gender equality and women's
empowerment are not just a part of
development but are the core of
development. Investing in women and girls
is essential to transforming communities.
When women do better, families do better,
communities do better, and countries do
better.”

SESSION #1

Women in customs: How gender balance can make customs more resilient, credible and
representative?’ This session highlighted the importance of gender equality and diversity in the
customs sector, recommending adoption of a holistic approach to encouraging Central Asian customs
agencies to consider gender inclusiveness in internal policies (including human resource management,
leadership and career development), and external policies (stakeholder collaboration and border
cooperation).

Common challenges and associated recommendations:

• High gender gap in customs (80 percent men and 20 percent women).

• Lack of knowledge: especially regarding how these issues relate to and are important for the work
of customs, and understanding that successfully implementing gender-responsive and inclusive
measures requires proactive internal and external efforts.

• Lack of written policies and documents: although practices are sometimes set in place, they are
not necessarily formalized or documented, which limits consistency and sustainability.

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• Lack of coordination: to ensure the successful implementation of gender-responsive and inclusive
measures, it is recommended to have an action plan/framework and structure that coordinates
and supports the implementation and monitoring of initiatives.

• Change the perception of the customs service’s gender balance, by promoting the Customs
Degree among women university applicants, and developing a gender inclusive recruitment
strategy.

• Increase the capacity of customs brokers by providing trainings on customs clearance procedures,
customs code and simplification.

SESSION #2

The role of e-commerce in global trade: How can women in developing countries harness
e-commerce?’ This session provided an overview of e-commerce development in Central Asia, with
discussions on the regulatory and institutional environment, the challenges, and ongoing efforts made in
policy reforms and initiatives for developing and promoting e-commerce in the region. Panelists shared
views on promoting dialogue between the public and private sectors and identifying concrete actions for
undertaking sustainable and inclusive e-commerce ecosystem development.

Common challenges and associated recommendations:

• Lack of trust in financial technologies: develop reliable payment mechanisms for online markets.

• Lack of digital skills (computer literacy, SMM, web and graphic design) and undeveloped
infrastructure of remote regions.

• Analysis of e-commerce policies of other countries, and use findings to develop similar policy in the
Central Asian region.

• Develop an effective marketing strategy and quality content on e-commerce.

• Underdeveloped potential of e-commerce. Majority of the Central Asia population don’t use or
trust marketplaces.

• Strategic planning. Companies that plan ahead grow 30 percent faster.

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SESSION #3

Session #3 ‘The impact of current geopolitical changes on the global trade and supply
chain’. This session discussed the benefits of opening the Women in Transport and Logistics (WiLAT)
Uzbekistan office (including the creation of a platform for discussing gender balance) and current
geopolitical changes regarding supply chain, air transportation, and global trade issues.

Common challenges and associated recommendations:

• Regular online WILAT meetings

• Regional industry networking events to exchange experiences (transport, logistics)
• Knowledge exchange events between Central Asia and Middle East for women involvement in
establishing and strengthening PPD and lobbying their interests
• Targeted activities to attract new members

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A NETWORKING SESSION

A networking session provided businesswomen associations with an opportunity to learn about each
other’s expertise, network, build regional relationships, exchange ideas, and put their skills and abilities
to the greatest use. These measures are of great importance in achieving gender equality and inclusion
in Central Asia by developing a vision for regional cooperation between leading businesswomen
associations.

Common challenges and associated recommendations:

• Lack of cooperation between Central Asian associations, and accordingly a lack of joint initiatives.

• Absence of an internet platform needed to implement joint activities.

• Create an e-learning platform for businesswomen. Provide online courses in a blended learning
format (combining video workshops, webinars and self-testing). Primary themes might be
entrepreneurship, cross-border trade, international projects, gender equality, and others.

• Create a CA online marketplace/mobile app to promote products produced by women-owned

businesses, which will create new business ties and expand the geography of sales.

• Establish a regular exchange of opinions and experience on regional trade and investment.
Conduct regional competitions for women entrepreneurs, such as ANOR in Uzbekistan.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH CENTRAL ASIAN

ASSOCIATIONS OF BUSINESSWOMEN
Four Central Asian Associations of Businesswomen signed quadripartite Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on key regional cooperation initiatives and proposed to take a leadership on the
next Regional Women’s Summit.

Quadrilateral MOU includes the following initiatives:

• Joint acceleration, mentoring and strategic sessions aimed at developing and supporting
women's startup ecosystem in Central Asia
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 • Activities aimed at supporting women's entrepreneurship in Central Asia
• Distribution of information on potential joint projects
• Exchange of analytical, statistical and legal information.

WILAT OPENING IN UZBEKISTAN

On September 22, 2022, the association of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) established its
Uzbekistan office in Tashkent with support from USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity, and appointed
Ms. Sevara Gafurova, the People’s Deputy of the Tashkent region and General Manager of the Trans-
Asian trading company ‘Centrum Aviation FZCO’, as Chairperson. This is the fourth WiLAT office
established in Central Asia with USAID’s support over the past year, following those set up in
Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. WiLAT is a global organization with over 3,500 members
from 35 countries, which promotes the status of women in the logistics and transport sectors,
supports women’s talent and career development, and provides networking and mentoring
opportunities. Launching WiLAT’s office in Uzbekistan will strengthen women’s role in the national
logistics and transport sectors, and address gender issues faced more broadly in the nation’s public and
private spheres.

UNSOLICITED FEEDBACK FROM ATTENDEES

“It was great to hear inspiring speeches, and meet the speakers and participants in person rather than just online.
I’m hopeful that the summit will lead to more gender initiatives.”
– Aigerim Alimgozhayeva, Kazakhstan

“The summit was held on a very high level! Thanks to this event, I got an exceptional opportunity to meet with
participants and discuss the possibilities of cooperation. The presentations were very interesting and informative.
The presenters inspired me to make new beginnings, and opened-up new ideas for the future development of my
business.”
– Kunduz Asanalieva, Kyrgyz Republic

“This is the first time I participated in the summit, and I like it very much. For now, I recommend creating an
electronic platform to exchange information among Central Asian countries.”
– Manzura Rustamova, Deputy Chairwoman of the CCI, Tajikistan

"First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the online format and listen
to the experience of customs administration brokers. The speakers touched upon topical issues and shared
solutions to certain problems, taking into account current trends in digitalization. The summit was fruitful and
informative"
– Ogulsuray Komekova Turkmenistan
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“The summit’s organization was on a very high level. All presentations were of high quality, and the speeches of
the speakers were clear and understandable. The moderator professionally linked the events and managed the
audience. Only good impressions!”
– Sanam Hudaibergenova, Uzbekistan

MEDIA AND OUTREACH

Over 13 mentions via leading media outlets, including TV broadcasts and significant news articles
highlighting the Regional Women’s Summit. This material was published by various media outlets in
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan.

U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan

In English USAID Hosts Central Asia Women’s Summit

In Russian USAID проводит женский саммит в Центральной Азии
In Uzbek USAID Марказий Осиё аёллар саммитини ўтказмоқда

IN THE PRESS
AKI Press (Kyrgyz Republic) Central Asia Women's Summit held in Tashkent
UzDaily (Uzbekistan) USAID hosts Central Asia Women’s Summit
Tashkent Times (Uzbekistan) USAID hosts Central Asia Women’s Summit
ORIENT (Turkmenistan) Summit in Tashkent to discuss challenges and opportunities for women in
trade in Central Asia
Newswires USAID Hosts Central Asia Women’s Summit
Dario (Uzbekistan) Gender wage gap decreases global wealth by $160 trillion
UzDaily (Uzbekistan) USAID проводит женский саммит в Центральной Азии
Yangi (Uzbekistan) USAID проводит женский саммит в Центральной Азии
Kultura (Uzbekistyan) USAID проводит женский саммит в Центральной Азии
Anchor (Uzbekistan) USAID провел Региональный женский саммит в Ташкенте
Makhallya (Uzbekistan) USAID провело в Ташкенте саммит для женщин Центральной Азии
UzReport (Uzbekistan) Toshkentda “Ayollarning savdodagi oʻrni: Markaziy Osiyoda toʻsiqlar,
imkoniyatlar va ilgʻor tajribalar” ikkinchi ayollar mintaqaviy sammiti boʻlib oʻtdi
UZA (Uzbekistan) 160 триллион доллар

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USAID’S TRADE CENTRAL ASIA ACTIVITY REGIONAL WOMEN’S SUMMIT 2022 | 9
SOCIAL MEDIA

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ABOUT THE ACTIVITY

Program Title: USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity

Contract Number: 72011521C00002
Sponsoring USAID Office: USAID Central Asia Regional
Contractor: DAI Global, LLC
Contracts Officer Representative: Svetlana Golovatskaya
Chief of Party: Douglas Muir

The overall goal of USAID’s Trade Central Asia activity is to improve region-wide trade connectivity and
harmonization to accelerate economic growth and increase economic opportunity in Central Asia
through harmonization of customs and border procedures, increasing public-private dialogue on cross-
border trade and investment, improving cross-border firm-to-firm connectivity, and addressing gender-
relevant trade issues.

STAY CONNECTED

USAID’s Trade Central Asia

USAID TCA in Central Asia

CONTACTS
ASSEL CHOIBEKOVA
Communications Director
Almaty, Kazakhstan, M.: +7 701 756 33 67
Email: Assel_Choibekova@dai.com

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