Foreign Business Leaders Talk Opportunities With Kirkwood

A delegation of VIPs from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan found their way to the Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce to learn about how American chambers of commerce function and to promote foreign trade opportunities, tourism and good will.

The visit was part of a six-week tour of the U.S. in conjunction with the World Affairs Council. The five representatives included the CEO of the Bishkek Business Club in Kyrgyzstan, the CEO of Somon Capital JSC and an Economics Officer with the Asian Development Bank both from Tajikistan, the Head of the Representative Office of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce of Uzbekistan, and the Business Development Manager at Caspian Mainport Ltd. from Turkmenistan.

“It was a pleasure to hear about the business partnerships available in these former Soviet Union Republics”, said David Collin, Chamber Board Chairman. “We have much to learn about how business is conducted in other parts of the world.”

“The Chamber was pleased to have been chosen to meet with such dignitaries,” said Jim Wright, President of the Chamber. “Our visitors wanted to know what local products and services were available for export to their countries, and were even interested in holding a series of webinars to introduce themselves to our area."

This is the second visit of foreign dignitaries to visit the Chamber. Last year a group of medical professionals from Belarus participated in the Chambers’ Health and Wellness Fair.