Fund Forum participates in World Trade Day conference in Rhode Island

June 15, 2011

The Fund Forum on June 15 participated in the 26th annual World Trade Day, a major international trade conference held at Bryant University in Rhode Island, USA. The event was attended by around 500 executives, managers, top policy experts, academicians, business leaders, and government officials. Presented by the Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, World Trade Day has as its goal to help businesses to reach beyond geographical and intellectual boundaries, develop new strategies and build alliances with overseas partners.

The keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of the conference included Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, the Director of the National Export Initiative for the International Trade Administration Courtney Gregoire as well as heads of several major American companies, who familiarized those gathered with the experience of foreign partners.

The exhibition held as part of the conference offered stands with information on diplomatic missions and representative offices of foreign trade companies in the USA as well as a series of American and international companies such as Bank of America, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Royal Bank of Scotland, UPS, Rimes Inc, Banneker, and OceanAir.

The stand representing Uzbekistan, designed in a traditional national style, drew attention from the visitors. Those gathered had the opportunity to learn of the Republic’s economic potential, opportunities for cooperation in investment, and the country’s achievements secured over independence years.

Featuring spectacular views of tourist sites in Uzbekistan, applied art items and adorned with applied art items, the Uzbek stand also presented information on the country’s tourism potential and unique culture and history. The visitors could also watch a video showing the historical cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.

After viewing a video about the Fund Forum’s activities in supporting young talents and youth programs, International Business Program Coordinator Madan Annavarjula of Bryant University showed a keen interest in setting up cooperation with the Fund Forum. “I’m ready to provide assistance in organizing Uzbekistan Day here at Bryant University so that American students here would know more about the Uzbek youth’s life,” he said. “I’m sure they would find that very interesting.”

The visitors to the Uzbekistan stand were provided with print materials – publications and brochures – dedicated to the country’s economy and investment opportunities as well as the Fund Forum’s far-reaching activities. Notably, many visitors showed an interest in “Style.Uz” Art Week and Asrlar sadosi (Echo of centuries) Festival of Traditional Culture, projects overseen by the Fund Forum.

R. Mead, the CEO of Meadprob4 investment company, who perused a booklet about the Fund Forum’s activities, said: “It is remarkable that the conservation of cultural legacy and its promotion throughout the world receive so much attention in Uzbekistan. Besides, the fruits from Uzbekistan which I have tasted here are so delicious, and that alone is a big reason to visit Uzbekistan.”

The architectural monuments of Samarkand and Bukhara amounted to another highlight with many visitors. H. Young of Banneker company, for one, said the cities’ architectural marvels are unique. It is no wonder they are in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, she added. Young also noted Uzbekistan may well become a new destination for many of her partners working in the area of tourism.