US plans Central Asia push on critical minerals, trade routes and technology training

The United States has announced plans to strengthen critical mineral supply chains expand transport corridors across Central Asia and train thousands of technology professionals in the region as Washington seeks to reduce dependence on potentially unreliable foreign suppliers of strategically important materialsSecretary of State Marco Rubio outlined the priorities at the C51 ministerial meeting in Samarkand Uzbekistan on Monday describing Central Asia as a vital link between Asian and European markets and an increasingly important destination for American investmentThe initiative brings together the United States and five Central Asian republics mdash Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan mdash in a framework aimed at strengthening economic energy and security cooperationRubio said Washington wanted to develop more secure supply chains for industries essential to economic growth and national securityWe in the United States we seek to secure our critical industries and the supply chains that support them so that we may be a sovereign independent country and economy and not ever have to rely on risky foreign partners or even adversaries he saidThe Secretary of State identified critical minerals transport infrastructure and emerging technologies as major areas of cooperationHe said the United States would work with regional governments to improve infrastructure along the transCaspian trade route which connects Central Asia with international markets through the Caspian Sea and onward transport networksWersquore going to enhance the infrastructure of the transCaspian trade route and give our partners more ways to reach American and Central Asian markets Rubio saidThe route provides an alternative commercial connection between Asia and Europe and has attracted growing interest as governments and businesses seek to diversify transport and supply networksRubio also announced plans to develop integrated supply chains for critical minerals including resources needed for advanced manufacturing energy systems and emerging technologiesWersquore going to work to secure our energy future by driving integrated highvalue supply chains in our critical minerals dialogue he saidThe proposed cooperation would extend beyond extracting raw materials to developing processing capabilities and industrial activities within Central AsiaUzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov called for a strategic partnership covering the entire minerals production cycle from geological exploration to processing and the establishment of local industrial clustersAs one of our key priorities we propose advancing a strategic partnership in critical minerals from geological exploration and mineral processing to the establishment of local industrial clusters Saidov saidThe proposal reflects Central Asian governments interest in attracting foreign investment and technology while retaining more economic value from their natural resourcesRubio also announced plans to prepare thousands of young professionals to work with American technology in the regions expanding technology industriesHe said the B51 business forum would promote dialogue between governments and private companies to increase trade and investmentThe Secretary of State recalled that the previous C51 summit in Washington had generated agreements valued at 25 billion across transportation energy finance and other sectorsThe figure represented announced commercial deals rather than a statement that the entire amount had already been investedSaidov said Uzbekistan which is assuming the C51 Secretariat cochairmanship would focus on translating diplomatic commitments into practical economic resultsHe emphasised that regional integration access to international markets and stronger industrial capabilities would be central to the next phase of cooperationThe C51 diplomatic framework was established in 2015 to strengthen engagement between the United States and the five Central Asian republics Its agenda includes economic development energy regional security and environmental cooperationCentral Asias location between Russia China South Asia and Europe gives its transport networks and mineral resources strategic importance India has also sought closer economic and connectivity ties with the region making developments in Central Asian trade corridors and critical mineral supply chains relevant to its longterm commercial interests