WINCHESTER, Va. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will participate in a construction exhibition in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March in support of the Central Asian States Initiative. The exhibition, entitled "KazBuild Spring 2012," will feature more than 150 exhibitors from around the world, including construction contractors and suppliers supporting the construction industry in the region. Further information and registration instructions are included at http://www.kazbuildspring.kz/en/.
In addition to the exhibition, scheduled for March 14-16, a program is being planned by the U.S. government, along with other international governments, to provide further details on the Central Asian States Initiative. The program is scheduled from 8:00 to 12:00 on March 15, at the InterContinental Hotel in Almaty. Presentations will be provided by the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment, U.S. Agency for International Development, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and KazNex Invest (the National Export and Investment Agency of Kazakhstan) regarding upcoming contract award opportunities that will include support for the Central Asian States Initiative.
This initiative aims to help create a sound business climate for investment, develop the private sector, and encourage regional cooperation to establish economic stability. "In addition, the U.S. Congress, in Section 801 (National Defense Authorization Action for Fiscal Year 2010), established a preference for buying products or services from the Central and South Asian States to support military or stability operations in Afghanistan," said Leigh Bandy, senior procurement analyst, Transatlantic Division. "The ability to buy and ship goods from the Central Asian States to Afghanistan is critical for supporting operations in Afghanistan, especially since the border is shut down with Pakistan."
The March 15 program is being co-sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Personnel from the Army Corps of Engineers Transatlantic Division and the Middle East District will attend this exhibition.
The DLA point of contact for this initiative is Lt. Col. John Hudson, at john.hudson@dla.mil; the USACE point of contacts are Leigh Bandy, at leigh.m.bandy@usace.army.mil and William "Mike" Weaver at william.m.weaver@usace.army.mil. These representatives will be able to assist you with any questions you have about KazBuild Spring 2012 or the Central Asian States Initiative.