Kazakhstan: Rail Technology Reverse Trade Mission

Background

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has sponsored this Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) for representatives from Kazakhstan’s state-owned railway company, Kazakh Temir Zholy (KTZ), to visit the United States to meet with leading U.S. suppliers of equipment and services for the railway sector. Key decision-makers from KTZ were here to learn about U.S. experiences in this sector, including the areas of information and communications technology (ICT), track maintenance, power supply and train control. KTZ also discussed export opportunities related to the government’s planned investments in excess of over $4 billion over the next three years (including approximately $240 million towards the areas noted above). KTZ is especially interested in U.S. capabilities with respect to track maintenance equipment (particularly diagnostic equipment), technology to improve labor efficiency for both operations and maintenance, automatic power units for locomotives, train control centers (including train dispatch), and technologies on both the commercial and operational side for multimodal rail facilities.

This RTM took place from January 30 to February 9, 2011, and included stops in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago and Pueblo, Colorado. During the visit, meetings were held with U.S. providers of equipment and services and government agencies, and site visits to locomotive and freight car maintenance facilities were organized. A Business Briefing for U.S. companies was also held in Chicago on February 7.

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Objectives

The objectives of the RTM were to:

  • Familiarize the delegation with U.S. capabilities across a broad range of advanced rail technologies;
  • Meet with U.S. providers of equipment and services to gain a better understanding of their capabilities and to foster future cooperation;
  • Provide opportunities for site visits to view locomotive and freight car maintenance equipment in operation;
  • Facilitate U.S. company involvement in the early stages of Kazakhstan’s investment planning so that they will be well-placed to take advantage of future business opportunities.

Through these meetings and site visits, the delegation was exposed to the range of U.S. solutions to assist Kazakhstan in implementing its railway upgrade and expansion program, ultimately leading to a safer and more efficient network.

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The Delegation

Kazakhstan Temir Zholy (KTZ)

  • Mr. Marat Medeubayev, President
    Locomotive Joint Stock Company
  • Mr. Kanat Almagambetov, Managing Director
    Directorate of Freight Transport Operations
  • Mr. Yertas Beysbekov, Deputy Head of Transportation Freight Loading
    Directorate of Freight Transport Operations
  • Mr. Daulet Nygmetov, Head of Section of the Transport Coordination Process
    Directorate of Freight Transport Operations
  • Mr. Nurbolat Kulmagambetov, Chief Engineer of Rolling Stock
    Directorate of Mainline Network (Infrastructure Department)
  • Mr. Ruslan Utegenov, Head of Information Technology Department
    Directorate of Mainline Network (Infrastructure Department)
  • Mr. Maratbek Murzagulov, Executive Director
    Technical Issues Directorate of Mainline Network (Infrastructure Department)

Also traveling with the delegation:

  • Ms. Oxana Parshina, Commercial Specialist
    U.S. Consulate General, Almaty
  • Mr. Steve Winkates, Senior Technical Manager
    TERA International Group
  • Mr. David Burns, Railway Specialist
    TERA International Group
  • Ms. Iulia Gorobet, Executive
    TERA International Group
  • Mr. Armen Kharazian, Interpreter
    TERA International Group

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Business Briefing

February 7, 2011 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel, 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

There was a one-day Business Briefing at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel on Monday, February 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. The delegation discussed the upcoming projects and their procurement needs, and met one-on-one with registered participants. U.S. company representatives and government officials were encouraged to attend this briefing in order to learn more about the opportunities in Kazakhstan and to meet with members of the delegation.

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About USTDA

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision- making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. Operating at the nexus of foreign policy and commerce, USTDA is uniquely positioned to work with U.S. firms and host countries in achieving the agency’s trade and development goals. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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Reverse Trade Mission Contacts

TERA International Group, Inc. has organized the RTM on behalf of USTDA. For further information please contact:

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Terms and Conditions

USTDA Nationality Requirements and Privacy Policy: Please note that participation at and/or sponsorship of an event held in the United States is limited to U.S. individuals, U.S. firms, or U.S. consultants, each as defined in USTDA’s Nationality Source and Origin Requirements. Also note that by registering for USTDA events, your contact information will be provided to USTDA and USTDA may make such information available to other interested persons upon request. In addition, please be informed that you will likely receive requests for information related to your participation in USTDA events and their outcomes via telephone, email, or fax, from USTDA Evaluations, USTDA program evaluators, and others who share USTDA’s mission. For more information on USTDA’s Nationality Requirements and Privacy Policy, please visit USTDA’s website.

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