Background: The Middle Corridor is an emerging transit route connecting economies from Central Asia to the South Caucasus and on into Eastern Europe. Azerbaijan’s key geographical location, coupled with well-developed logistics infrastructure and state-of-the-art port and air cargo facilities, are crucial to this new opportunity for transiting goods and services between Europe and Asia.

“Middle Corridor: Connecting economies through ports and air freight connectivity” is an industry-based conference that will discuss air cargo connectivity and port development in Azerbaijan, the Central Eurasia region, and beyond. This platform will allow importers, exporters, shippers, consignees, freight forwarders, and other industry players to exchange ideas and learn from one another about how to seize this important opportunity.

OPENING SESSION

Reza Vaziri

Chairman of the Board of Directors, USACC

Amb. Erin Elizabeth McKee

Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia, USAID

Asset Assavbayev

Secretary-General, Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission, Transport Corridor Europe–Caucasus–Asia (TRACECA)

Amb. Khazar Ibrahim

Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the United States of America

AIR CARGO SESSION

Fadi Nahas

Vice-President for Americas, Silk Way West Airlines

Monte Fraizer (invited)

Vice president, Boeing

Panelist TBA

Moderator: Evan Johnson, International Trade Specialist- Office of Russia, Ukraine & Eurasia, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

PORTS AND FTZ INDUSTRY SESSION

Taleh Ziyadov

Director-General, Baku International Sea Trade Port

Nicholas Porter

Beneficial Cargo Owner, Account Representative, Maryland Port Authority

Melissa Irmen

Senior Vise President, ISCM, Inc.

Tarun Chopra

CEO and President, Clements Worldwide

Insurance in cargo and fleet management

Moderator: Benjamin Todd, Principal, Business Development, North America, European Bank For Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)

CLOSING REMARKS

Natig Bakhishov

Executive Director, the U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce

Mi Jeong Hibbitts

Executive Director, Global Chamber Baltimore/Washington D.C.

NETWORKING & LUNCHEON

For the latest agenda updates, please check the USACC webpage by clicking here.