ARCHIVE 2001

DECEMBER
Luncheon roundtable in the U.S. Capitol in honor of Kazakhstan's 10th Anniversary of Independence, featuring speakers Senator Sam Brownback, Representative Joseph Pitts, Ambassador Saudabayev, NSC Staff Director Matt Bryza, World Bank Senior Advisor Tanju Yurukoglu, and Access Industries Senior Vice President Nick Zana providing congressional, executive branch, international financial institution, and private sector perspectives on Kazakhstan's efforts to steadily improve its investment climate (12/6).

OCTOBER
Silk Road Caucus Breakfast with members of Congress and Ambassadors of the Central Asia and Caucasus region providing an overview of Congressional interest in the region and individual country profiles by Ambassadors (10/10).

Informal roundtable with National Security Council Staff Director for Aegean, Caucasus, and Central Asian Affairs Matt Bryza discussing U.S. post-September 11 perspectives on the Caspian region, held jointly with the USACC (10/18).

JULY
Informal luncheon with departing U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Richard Jones, providing an overview of the past three years of U.S.-Kazakhstan relations and an assessment of the likely future course of the relationship (7/19).

AUGUST
Luncheon meeting to introduce new U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Larry Napper to members of the Association and discuss U.S. policy goals for Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region for the next several years (8/30).

JUNE
Breakfast roundtable with Director of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Alzhanov and local officials from Eastern Kazakhstan, offering an exchange views on the investment climate in Kazakhstan and better understanding of local perspectives on foreign investors (6/21).

MAY
Luncheon meeting with Foreign Minister Idrissov providing an overview of U.S.-Kazakhstani relations and the important role of American companies in the continuing economic reform effort (5/1).

Reception and dinner in Houston in honor of Vice Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Kapparov, providing insights into coming opportunities for private investment in Kazakhstan's oil and gas sector (5/2).

Offshore Technology Conference Industry Breakfast, held in Houston, Texas, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Petroleum Equipment Suppliers Association, featuring Vice Minister Kapparov discussing Kazakhstan's growing energy exports (5/3).

APRIL
BISNIS Roundtable and Luncheon Meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Shkolnik outlining Kazakhstan's efforts to promote investment in its emerging oil and gas sector (4/26).

Small group working luncheon with Deputy Prime Minister (Finance and Economy) Dzhandosov and Deputy Central Bank Chairman Kudyshev discussing national income accounting issues and the establishment of the national strategic fund (4/27).

FEBRUARY
Luncheon meeting with Transport and Communications Minister Massimov discussing investment opportunities in Kazakhstan's telecommunications, railroads, highways, and transportation infrastructure (2/7).

Reception and dinner to introduce newly appointed Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Kanat Saudabayev, to members of the Association (2/13).

JANUARY
Informal working luncheon with Ambassador Elizabeth Jones, Special Advisor to the President and Secretary of State for Caspian Basin Energy Diplomacy, held jointly with the America-Georgia Business Council (AGBC) and the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce (USACC), offered assurance that the new administration's energy policy would continue to emphasize Caspian sources and multiple transportation routes (1/17).

Roundtable with Labor and Social Protection Minister Baimenov providing insights into Kazakhstan's evolving efforts to develop a post-soviet social safety net and a business-friendly social contract (1/30).