If US-Kyrgyz relations go sour, we’ll always have the bilateral Montana-Kyrgyzstan relationship.
The Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States came to compare Big Sky Country’s ranches and ski resorts, fly-fishing rivers and universities, to those in Kyrgyzstan. Although the two mountain landscapes are half a planet away, Montana and Kyrgyzstan have a wide-ranging network of connections dating back to the 1990s.
“We would like to work in close relations with small businesses in Montana,” Sydykova said through interpreter Sharjan Tashtanbekova, one of the first Kyrgyz exchange students to the University of Montana. “We’re trying to learn how Montana works at these industries.”
Sydykova will visit with Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Montana National Guard officials in Helena. She also plans trips to the Flathead Indian Reservation and Flathead Lake, looking at ranches, ski areas and other tourist facilities.
While her country has a good infrastructure for moving products to market, Sydykova said she wanted to find ways of boosting production of things like meat and wool, grains and fruits. She also wants to bring the country’s outdoor recreation industry up to international standards, similar to Montana’s own efforts.
The two countries do bear a striking resemblance.
Via Greg
This post was written by...
Nathan Hamm – author of 2040 posts on Registan.net.
Nathan founded Registan.net in 2003. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan 2000-2001 and received his MA in Central Asian Studies from the University of Washington in 2007. Since 2007, he has worked full-time as an analyst, consulting with clients on Central Asian affairs, specializing in how socio-cultural factors shape risks and opportunities. Follow him on Twitter or drop him a line.
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What is the first name of the Ambassador? You put in the full name of the student but not the Ambassador. You may think this is minor but to call her “Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador” and not give her full name makes you sound sarcastic and this poor, little country should not be treated like that. your subject is interesting and worthy of discussion, but with respect.