Getting Started with Business in (Country)

Please visit the export.gov page on Uzbekistan for an overview of economic conditions and opportunities in the region.

I – Exporting to Uzbekistan

Getting Started

If you are considering doing business in Uzbekistan, here are some steps you may wish to consider as you get started:

1. Visit Uzbekistan’s export.gov page to get an overview of economic conditions and opportunities. Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library containing more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts.

2. Contact Information and Links for Assistance:

Contact your local U.S. Export Assistance Center for advice and support on exporting to Uzbekistan. Contact a Trade Specialist Near You
Contact your local Small Business Development Center (SBDCs)
Starting a business can be a challenge, but there is help for you in your area. Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between the government and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration and aims at giving educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Contact in-country business support organizations
Make use of business matchmaking services:
Whether you’re looking to make your first export sale or expand your business in this market, we offer the trade counseling, market intelligence, business matchmaking, and commercial diplomacy you need to connect with lucrative business opportunities.

II – Investing in Uzbekistan

This section provides information for current and potential investors in Uzbekistan.

1. Potential investors: Getting Started.

If you are considering investment in [insert country name here], here are some steps you may wish to consider as you get started:

Register with the U.S. Embassy: if you are planning a visit to consider investment, let us know by sending an email to the contact addresses at the top of this page.
Review the Department of State’s Investment Climate Statements and the Department of Commerce’s Country Commercial Guides for the latest analysis of the economic and political conditions in Uzbekistan.
Participate in a Direct Line webinar for information on market opportunities provided by Ambassadors and local experts.
Identify leads on active and potential projects funded by multilateral development banks with the Department of State’s Business Information Database System (BIDS).
Visit host country resources, such as “UZEXPOCENTRE” National Exhibition Company.
Contact local U.S. business support organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan.
Subscribe to our embassy Facebook page or Twitter feed.

2. Current Investors: Staying Connected

If you are a current U.S. investor in Uzbekistan, the U.S. Embassy wants to stay in touch. Here are a few steps you can take to keep the channels of communication open:

Register with the U.S. Embassy: if you are active in Uzbekistan, let us know by sending an email to the contact addresses at the top of this page.
Add Commercial and Agricultural Specialists to your mailing lists: we are always happy to stay informed. Send emails to contact addresses at the top of this page.
Subscribe to our embassy Facebook page or Twitter.
Set up a meeting with our economic or commercial team to discuss any issues that arise. Contact information is listed at the top of this page.

3. Working in Uzbekistan

In this section you will find information on business visas, travel advisories, and anti-corruption tools.

Business Visas

For information on obtaining a visa to visit Uzbekistan, visit Travel.State.Gov.

Travel Advisories

Make sure to check the current State Department travel advisory for Uzbekistan.

FCPA

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is an important anti-corruption tool designed to discourage corrupt business practices in favor of free and fair markets. The FCPA prohibits promising, offering, giving or authorizing giving anything of value to a foreign government official where the purpose is to obtain or retain business. These prohibitions apply to U.S. persons, both individuals and companies, and companies that are listed on U.S. exchanges. The statute also requires companies publicly traded in the U.S. to keep accurate books and records and implement appropriate internal controls.

More information on the FCPA can be found here: http://www.justice.gov/criminal/fraud/fcpa/

A party to a transaction seeking to know whether a proposed course of conduct would violate the FCPA can take advantage of the opinion procedure established by the statue. Within 30 days of receiving a description of a proposed course of conduct in writing, the Attorney General will provide the party with a written opinion on whether the proposed conduct would violate the FCPA. Not only do opinions provide the requesting party with a rebuttable presumption that the conduct does not violate the FCPA, but DOJ publishes past opinions which can provide guidance for other companies facing similar situations.

Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT)

The emerging markets of Eurasia present unique opportunities for U.S. companies and Eurasian economies alike. The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) program builds partnerships and provides technical assistance by training Eurasian business leaders in U.S. business practices. These training programs directly support Eurasian economic and civil society development by encouraging market-based reforms, while generating valuable export and investment opportunities for U.S. industry.

While Eurasian markets are full of opportunity, there are an equal number of risks that must be considered. A sound understanding of the local market environment is instrumental in managing these risks. SABIT enables U.S. companies to develop this local knowledge by establishing partnerships and training local Eurasian management.

SABIT manages a training program that turns partnerships into results.

https://www.trade.gov/sabit/

Trade Events

Trade Event Programs
Trade shows and fairs in Uzbekistan

Visit “UZEXPOCENTRE” National Exhibition Company’s website.

International Buyer Program

The International Buyer Program is a U.S. joint-industry project which brings international buyers from all over the world to the U.S. to participate in trade shows, with the hopes of facilitating business-to-business ventures with key firms exhibiting at these shows. You can find more information online. If you are interested in any of these events, please let us know. We can get you registered for the event, as well as provide pre-arranged meetings and reduced admission fees at the trade show. But please note that we cannot help in any way in regard to U.S. visa issuance.

Upcoming Trade Shows

The American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) seeks to promote trade and investment ties, cultural exchanges and bonds of friendship between the United States of America and the Republic of Uzbekistan. In performing these functions, the AUCC places primary emphasis on serving the needs and interests of its members. To see a current list of their events, visit http://www.aucconline.com/.
Gulfood is a premiere international exposition connecting food exporters and customers from around the world. Learn more at http://www.gulfood.com/.