SESSION 9
SUSTAINABLE TRADE: DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPETITIVE HORTICULTURE SECTOR
Durbek Khalikov
Senior Researcher at Potato Selection & Seed Production Laboratory (PSSPL), Uzbekistan
Has a PhD of Agricultural Science, MSc Degree in Soil Science, Honorary Certificate by the Khakim (Mayor) of Tashkent district for making a worthy contribution to the development of Tashkent District and the effective labor and participation in social-political life. Holds 5 certificates awarded by Uzbekistan National Variety Testing Commission and Ministry of Agriculture & Water Resources. Researcher at GIZ/BMZ project “Improved potato varieties and water management technologies to enhance water use efficiency, resilience, cost-effectiveness, and productivity of smallholder farms in stress-prone Central Asian environments.
Evgeniy Klimov
Chairman of the Kazakhstan Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements - KAZFOAM
Biologist, environmental engineer, lawyer. Expert of international organizations on organic agriculture. Carries out scientific activities in the KazNII of the Economy of the Agro-industrial Complex and the Development of Rural Areas
Rusudan Mdivani
Regional Leader for CA and the Caucasus (CAC), Senior Scientist
Since 1994, being graduated from the Tbilisi State University R. Mdivani is involved in a field context incorporating agricultural development programs; while working at the Academia system gained good experience and knowledge related to state programs in close collaboration with the Ministries of Agriculture and Environmental Protection. Her PhD (1999) and doctoral thesis (2006) are on production of seed/planting materials of agricultural crops.
During last 19 years, in the course of her working in state organizations, international organizations and NGO, implemented 28 scientific and research for development projects in purpose to support economic growth and poverty reduction through introduction of scientific achievements in practice.
Temirzhan Aitbayev
Head of Department "Fruit and Vegetable Growing and Walnut Growing" of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University; Head of the Research Center "Horticulture and Vegetable Growing
Doctor of Agricultural Science, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Specialist in the field of vegetable growing, potato growing, agricultural chemistry, soil science, plant protection. National Coordinator for Vegetable Growing of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Field of scientific research: Agrochemical and Agrotechnical Methods of Preserving and Reproducing Soil Fertility, Increasing the Productivity of Potatoes and Vegetable Crops, Improving the Biochemical Composition of Products; Scientifically Grounded Systems of Vegetable and Potato Crop Rotations; Integrated Methods of Protecting Potatoes and Vegetable and Melon Crops from Harmful Organisms;
Akhmedov Tursunboy Abdulloevich
Doctor of Agricultural Sciences. Tajikistan
Akhmedov Tursunboy Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Tajikistan. Former director of the Institute of Horticulture and Viticulture of the Tajik Academy of Agricultural Sciences. He has 41 years of experience in agriculture, has published more than 180 scientific papers, author of 4 books, supervisor of 9 candidates of science.
Participated in the preparation and implementation of the State Program for the Development of Horticulture, Potato Growing, Seed Production and Plant Protection in Tajikistan for 1987-2016.
National and project manager of international projects in Tajikistan from 1998 to 2013.
Nora Olsen
Professor and Potato Specialist Department of Plant Sciences University of Idaho, USA
Nora Olsen is a Professor and Potato Specialist for the University of Idaho located in Kimberly, ID, USA. Her research and extension programs over the past 22 years have focused on potato field and storage management, sprout and disease control, seed physiology and performance, harvest and handling management, farm and food safety, and cultivar evaluations. Nora has given over 500 extension and scientific presentations and co-authored over 550 scientific and extension deliverables. Nora was President of the Potato Association of America in 2013 and since 2014 has served as a Director of the World Potato Congress.
Dr. Hafiz Muminjanov
Technical Adviser, Plant Production and Protection Divison, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO UN), Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Italy
Hafiz has more than 30 years’ experience in the fields of agriculture and rural development, with a focus on conducting research and supporting extension, training agriculture specialists and formulating, managing, implementing and monitoring of development and emergency projects. Since 2010 he works for the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Currently he is coordinating the FAO Global Action on Green Development of Special Agricultural Products: “One Country One Priority Product” (OCOP).
As a professor of Plant Physiology and Biotechnology (Moscow, 2004), Hafiz graduated with degree in Agronomy-Science (Tajik Agrarian University, 1987), is a PhD in Biological Science (Moscow, 1991) and Doctor of Agricultural Sciences on Plant Breeding and Seed Technology (Moscow, 2000).
His Academic Areas of Expertise are: Conservation Agriculture, Plant Pests and Diseases, Integrated Pest Management, Organic farming, Seed Systems, Plant Breeding. He has authored more than 200 scientific papers, textbooks and extension materials including authorship for two potato and twelve wheat varieties released in Tajikistan and two patents granted for scientific inventions in biotechnology and plant breeding. He supported a number countries to improve the national seed and organic agriculture legislations and to strengthen the institutional framework.
He has supervised 12 PhD students and 30 MSc students and always supports the participation of young specialists and scientists in international training programs and conferences.
He speaks English, Russian, Tajik, Farsi, and Uzbek and understands Azeri, Kyrgyz and Turkish.
SESSION 10
WOMEN AND YOUTH IN THE POST-COVID ERA
Aizhan Beiseyeva
Transport and Logistics Lead, USAID CTJ Project, The Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport, СMILT
Aizhan currently works for the CTJ project but has extensive development experience specific to logistics, trade, cross-border facilitation, economic corridor efficiencies, and has experience liaising and building relationships between national and regional partners such as Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCIs), export promotion agencies, government bodies responsible for development of trade policy and border control, trade regional business associations, and key donors such as the Asian Development Bank, GIZ, UNDP and Central Asia governments through regular coordination meetings.
Adalyat Abdumanapova
ESG Advisory Officer, Team Lead, IFC, International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group
Adalyat (Adel) Abdumanapova is the corporate governance and sustainable development expert with overall 20 years of experience in professional consulting. Adel joined International Finance Corporation in 2006 and currently co-leads the IFC Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Program in Europe and Central Asia region advising to private and quasi-state businesses and financial institutions on improving ESG practices. Adel specializes in complex corporate governance assessment, efficiency enhancement of board of directors, family governance, succession planning, stakeholder engagement, SME governance and sustainability issues. Currently Adel is based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Before joining IFC, Adel worked for PalTel International Co and GRATA Law Firm. Adel holds Master of Law degree of University of Essex (UK), bachelor’s degree in Economics, Management and Entrepreneurship of the International Academy of Business (Kazakhstan) and bachelor’s degree in Business Law of Kazakh State Law Academy (Kazakhstan).
Anushka Weeraratne
CEO of Lanka Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd
Anushka Weeraratne is the CEO of Lanka Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC (of which she is Vice President), which operates under its transportation industry group. She has been with the group for 17 years, joining Lanka Marine Services (Pvt) Ltd in 2004 and serving in the capacity of Assistant Manager of Commercial and Marketing, and as Manager of Marketing, before being appointed the company’s Chief Operating Officer in 2014 and as its CEO in 2016. Lanka Marine Services is a pioneer and leading bunker supplier in Sri Lanka, a fully owned subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC, which is a leading conglomerate in Sri Lanka. Anushka is well accepted as a person possessing immense knowledge about the industry, and is well recognized within the local and international shipping community. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Delhi, India, and an MBA in International Business from Monash University of Melbourne, Australia. She received a Gold award for Logistics, was listed in WIM’s Top 50 Professional and Career Women of 2017, and also serves on the Executive Committee of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT), of Sri Lanka.
Dabney Shall-Holma
Global adviser at Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT)
Dabney Shall-Holma obtained a B.Sc. in Political Science in 1980, followed by a M.Sc in Maritime Transportation from the University of Wales, College of Cardiff in the UK, in 1993. She has also attended the Port of Tilburg Training Institute in London, and obtained a Certificate in Port and Shipping Operations, Organization and Finance. She later acquired a Certificate in International Trade Policy and Practice from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, USA, in 2008, and a Masterclass certificate in the application of Incoterms in 2012 at the International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) in Paris, France. Mrs. Shall-Holma has served in various presidential/ministerial committees and agencies, in a career in land, air and sea transportation spanning 35 years. From 1981 to 2016 she has worked with firms and organizations including Land Transport, Air Transport-Nigerian Airways, the Sea Transport-Nigerian Shippers Council and National Unity Line. She has retired from her last public service role as Director of Commercial Shipping Services, and is currently chairperson of the Sealink Implementation Committee/Consortium, being a public-private sector partnership created to deepen subregional/African continental trade. She is currently a global adviser at Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT).
Igor Shaternikov
Procurement Specialist, Schneider Electric Kazakhstan
Igor Shatrenikov is a student of the STEM Business School at Turan University. Igor has 3 years of work experience. He started his career as a Marketing Specialist in the international consulting company Baker Tilly Qazaqstan Advisory. Igor worked on writing articles published in Forbes Kazakhstan. Moreover, he was preparing analytical reports for S&P Capital IQ. Also, Igor is one of the authors of the TOP KZ RETAIL E-COMMERCE 2018 and TOP KZ RETAIL E-COMMERCE 2019 ranking by Forbes Kazakhstan. After half a year of working, Igor became a Business Valuation Consultant. His main specialization was the valuation of IT projects and startups related to the logistics sphere. At the moment, Igor is a Procurement Specialist at Schneider Electric Kazakhstan. He is responsible for interacting with international suppliers, as well as the monitoring of projects in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Additionally, Igor working with WILAT as an assistant of Chairperson and Deputy of Chairperson in CA. Igor is one of the first active members of the Next Generation Central Asia.
Marina Kuznechevskaya
GVC-Global Vice Chairperson WiLAT, Women in Logistics and Transport Chairperson WiLAT Cental Asia General Director ‘FlyDubai Kazakhstan”
Marina is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, and chairperson of Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Central Asia. Marina is a consultant for EBRD, CILT and USAID programs. With almost 20 years of experience, Marina has had the opportunity to be part of and to lead international teams both at SCHENKER where she was Airfreight and Project Manager, and later at GEFCO where she was Commercial Director for Kazakhstan and Central Asia. As the current area manager of FlyDubai in Kazakhstan, she and her team have successfully established the company and helped it grow by opening several branches in the country and region. While managing FlyDubai, Marina also took the opportunity to direct a private holding company based in Central Asia, where she advised and developed startups and business solutions. In addition, Marina mentors youth who are beginning their careers in transport and logistics.
Mavzuna Mansurova
Co-founder and CEO of Favran Logistics LLC
Mavzuna Mansurova is one of the first members of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) community in Tajikistan. Mavzuna has more than 12 years of professional experience in the field of logistics. She took part in the formation and development of freight forwarding logistics in Tajikistan and continues to contribute to the prosperity of logistics and optimization of activities to meet international standards in transport logistics. Currently, she is a co-founder of the transport and forwarding company FAVRAN Logistics LLC
- Mentee of the Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Program in the Republic of Tajikistan
- Member of the International Successful Women Club,
- Member of the National Successful Women Club of Tajikistan,
- Certified Specialist in Supply Chain Management according to FIATA international standards.
Megan Yeates
Honorary Secretary for Next Generation NG CILT Ireland, Eastern Section
Megan Yeates is a young professional in the logistics industry. She is officially ranked first in the world for Freight Forwarding and Logistics, following her Gold Medal win at Worldskills, Kazan in 2019. She has previously worked for DHL Global Forwarding and for Lidl Ireland. Megan is beginning a new chapter in her career, returning to study a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management. She is currently Honorary Secretary for CILT Ireland, Eastern Section. Megan is a passionate representative of women in logistics, and an advocate for encouraging the next generation to join the industry.
Murat Amrin
Managing Director of the Logistics and Transport Department of The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Atameken"
Murat started his career in the transport industry in 2010 as a Quality Department Controller in High Tech Logistics LLP. From 2011 to 2012 he was appointed as inspector (specialist) of the control and audit service in International Surveyors Limited LLP, from 2012 to 2014 he was a Manager of the Department for the Development of International Transportation and Regulation of the Licensing System of the “International Road Transport Union of the Republic of Kazakhstan” association of legal entities.
Since 2014, Murat has been working in The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”. His occupation includes representing and protecting the interests of business entities in the transport industry (road, railway, water transport and civil aviation) in the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, other state bodies, as well as in the international framework.
He actively contributes to the development of regulatory legal and legislative acts affecting the interests of business entities.
Nadia Abdul Aziz
Marketing, freight and logistics professional
With more than 20 years of experience, Nadia Abdul Aziz is a marketing, freight and logistics professional who has worked for some time at the ‘DULSCO’ family Business, being one of the largest manpower supply companies in the Gulf’s shipping/logistics industry and the oldest in the UAE. She manages the freight forwarding company UNASCO LLC, is head of the National Association of Freight and Logistics, vice president of FIATA (the world’s largest freight forwarders association), and also heads the International Chamber of Commerce Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission of the UAE. She is also on the board of directors of the Al Noor Center for children with special needs. Nadia has been an active voice for women in logistics and transport, and heads WiLAT Middle East. She participates in regional and global events and works to raise industry standards and empower women and children. She has been nominated for leadership roles at UAE’s National Association of Freight and Logistics (NAFL), initially as an executive board member, before subsequently serving four years as the association’s secretary general, and being elected president in 2015 in which capacity she has headed all events, marketing and public relations work.
Oksana Sorokina
Logistics expert
Oksana Sorokina is a logistics expert, with 20 years of experience as a specialist in international container and multimodal transportation. She is an export professional recognized and respected both in China and Southeast Asia, with a comprehensive understanding of China’s border crossing points, container deficit and pricing. Through her career Oksana has worked at offices of the largest international logistics companies in Kazakhstan, holding the director general position at Rhenus Kazakhstan, and she currently owns the Seven R logistics company. Oksana is a successful speaker and industry expert, and a council member of WiLAT Central Asia.
Sahra Amanova
Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Logistics public association, Turkmenistan
Sahra has 20 years of professional experience. She is a textile manufacturing engineer. For more than 10 years she worked in the field of transport and logistics. In 2017-2020 she was a Chief Specialist of the Transport and Logistics Department at the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan. From July 2020 to the present she has been working as a Deputy Chairman of the Turkmen Logistics public association. Sahra actively participated in organizing and holding the first international conference dedicated to the transportation of oversized and heavy cargo in the Avaza National Tourist Zone. She took part in a quadripartite meeting on the creation of the Caspian Sea – Black Sea international transport route, attended by the high-level representatives of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Turkmenistan, as well as the EU Contact Bureau, she also participated in the international Turkmen-Italian business forum in Milan, at the Caspian Economic forum. Sahra was a speaker at the Turkmen-Iranian, Turkmen-Turkish, Turkmen-Italian, Turkmen-Afghan business forums held in Ashgabat, as well as seminars and conferences organized by the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs of Turkmenistan, the State Customs Service of Turkmenistan, at the investment forum from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan. Sakhra Amanova is one of the original members of the Women in Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) community in Turkmenistan and a member of the Management Board of WiLAT Central Asia from Turkmenistan.
Sanzhar Taizhan
Founder and co-project lead at Warwick Boring, and Advisor to the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Sanzhar Taizhan is an engineer who began his career as a student in England, where he earnt his Bachelor of Engineering, specializing in Automotive Engineering from the University of Warwick. While studying in the UK he became a founder and project lead of the Warwick Hyperloop Team, which became one of the top 35 SpaceX Hyperloop Teams. While working as a summer intern in the field of electrochemical energy storage science, supporting research, training and modelling analysis, in 2018 his work was recognized as being the ‘Best Innovation’ among all undergraduate students in the UK. He was also the founder and lead engineer of Warwick Boring (Elon Musk’s finalists of the “Not-a-Boring Tunnel Competition” tournament, his team entered the top 12 out of 400 in 2020-2021). He was subsequently invited by Jaguar Land Rover to work as an Advanced Battery Engineer, and in 2019 he was included in Forbes Kazakhstan’s ‘30 under 30’ list. He is currently the founder and CEO of TaiSan Motors, founder and co-project lead at Warwick Boring, and Advisor to the Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the moment, Sanzhar is living in Kazakhstan. He opened his startup project for the development of advanced technologies for motor transport.
Usman Shuaibu
Deputy Global Chairperson of CILT Next Generation, Assistant Chief and Personal Assistant to the Director of the Reform Coordination and Strategic Management Office of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Founder and National President of “YoungShip Nigeria”
Usman Shuaibu is a maritime policy expert with more than 10 years of experience in maritime administration, regional trade and green shipping. He has a Master’s Degree of Science in Maritime Affairs from the World Maritime University in Sweden, specializing in shipping management and logistics, along with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and International Business from Southern Cross University, Australia, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education History from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto, Nigeria. He is currently assistant chief and personal assistant to the director of the Reform Coordination and Strategic Management Office of the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Usman is also the founder and national president of YoungShip Nigeria, and deputy global chairperson of CILT Next Generation.
Vicky Koo
Director, Vizilog Asia Limited
Vicky Koo is the director of Vizilog Asia Limited, recognized for her expertise in strategic supply chain management, and her converging of Operation Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) consultancy services. With over 30 years of supply chain and logistics management experience, Vicky has re-engineered processes for multinational companies including Levi’s, Columbia, Occidental Chemical, Avery Dennison, and others. Her company Vizilog Asia offers a variety of SCM technology assessment, development and deployment services for enterprises, with a focus on RFID technology and IOT applications. This technology includes satellite positioning, active and passive RFID, and video analytics, which contribute to the excellence of supply chains. Vicky has been appointed as an advisor at ASCM, with the mission of directing the SCOR framework’s application in Asia, and achieving excellent supply chain performance. Vicky orchestrated the establishment of WiLAT in Hong Kong, and was appointed chairperson from its 2012 inauguration.
CLOSING REMARKS
Lawrence Hardy II
Regional Mission Director USAID Central Asia
Lawrence Hardy II began his assignment as Regional Mission Director for USAID/Central Asia in September 2021. He holds the rank of Career Minister in the Senior Foreign Service. Prior to this assignment, he was the Regional Mission Director to the Philippines, 12 Pacific Islands, and Mongolia where he was assigned in September 2017.
With more than 28 years of USAID development experience, he has served tours in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, South Asia, as well as in South America. Prior to assuming his position based in Manila, he served in Washington as the Agency’s Senior Deputy Chief Information Officer as well as the Agency’s Director for Human Resources for USAID’s global workforce of more than 10,000 development professionals.
Mr. Hardy was a Management Consultant for a boutique, California-based private sector firm, before he joined USAID, that developed economic diversification strategies for Asia Pacific Rim countries that spanned from Japan to Indonesia.
Mr. Hardy received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of California/Berkeley’s Haas School of Business as well as his Bachelors of Arts degree from Harvard University. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Thai, French, and Arabic.
