Regional economic cooperation in Central Asia

‘Regional Economic Cooperation in Central Asia: Agricultural Production and Trade’ (ReCCA) is the title of the conference which will be hosted by IAMO from 24-26 November 2014 in Halle (Saale). Attending researchers, mainly from Central Asia will present and discuss their latest research findings on regional economic cooperation and sustainable development in those countries in three plenary sessions and several parallel sessions.

Agricultural production plays a significant role in Central Asia. The contribution of agriculture to gross domestic products (GDP) amounts to 27 percent in Tajikistan, 20 percent in Kyrgyzstan, 19 percent in Uzbekistan, 14.5 percent in Turkmenistan and 5 percent in Kazakhstan. Cotton and wheat production and exports forms the backbone of the agricultural sectors in those countries.

In addition, exports of alternative crops are increasing during the recent year, such as seen in case of bean export from Kyrgyzstan. One particular challenge in the region is the limited regional trade between Central Asian countries, caused by conflicts over national borders and natural resource use. Improved economic cooperation between those countries would contribute to more efficient use of resources and enhance economic development in the region.

The conference will discuss alternatives to improve economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and will provide a platform for assessing potential advantages of such collaboration for the economies in the region. Subjects to be discussed will include improving the efficiency of resource use, development of supply chains and assessment of trade potentials between the states.

Most of the conference speakers come from Central Asia and work at renowned research centers, e.g. the Regional Center for Environmental Research in Central Asia, Agricultural University Samarkand, Kazakh Scientific Research Institute for Agronomics and Rural Development, Institute of Agricultural Economics at the Academy of Sciences in Tajikistan as well as National Agrarian Economy University in Kazakhstan.

The three-day conference is organized by IAMO in cooperation with the Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia in Kazakhstan, Samarkand Agricultural University in Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyz National Agricultural University as well as financially supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Foundation Fiat Panis.

The conference language is English. Simultaneous translation from/to Russian will be provided. Further information and the full conference program: www.iamo.de/event/recca

Media representatives are welcome to attend the conference. We will gladly arrange interviews with participating expert. If you are interested in attending the conference free of charge, please, send an e-mail to: presse@iamo.de

About IAMO

The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) analyzes economic, social and political processes of change in the agricultural and food sector, and in rural areas. The geographic focus covers the enlarging EU, transition regions of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Eastern Asia. IAMO works to enhance the understanding of institutional, structural and technological changes. Moreover, IAMO studies the resulting impacts on the agricultural and food sector as well as the living conditions of rural populations. The outcomes of our work are used to derive and analyze strategies and options for enterprises, agricultural markets and politics. Since its founding in 1994, IAMO has been part of the Leibniz Association, a German community of independent research institutes.

Media contact

Daniela Schimming
Public Relations
Tel.: +49 345 2928-330
Fax: +49 345 2928-499
presse@iamo.de
www.iamo.de