“We have a region-wide Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), through which we want to encourage regional approaches to economic development and cooperation -- in reviving the great silk road of trade that can bring prosperity to all the states in the region,” he said.

“We have also added a bilateral component for each of the countries as part of our TIFA meetings to promote discussion of economic and investment issues,” he noted.

“Efforts to improve the business climate, fight corruption, and improve transparency and predictability will not only create opportunities for US companies, but will attract more re-investment of Central Asian wealth which has flowed abroad,” Krol underlined.