Manas seminar opens doors for more Kyrgyz businesses

Photo By Senior Airman Steele Britton | The Transit Center at Manas hosted a business seminar in Bishkek, Oct. 15, 2009. Over...... read more read more

Photo By Senior Airman Steele Britton | The Transit Center at Manas hosted a business seminar in Bishkek, Oct. 15, 2009. Over 150 local business representatives attended the seminar to learn how to properly bid on contracts for sale of products and services on the Transit Center.  see less | View Image Page

MANAS AIR BASE, KYRGYZSTAN

10.15.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Olufemi Owolabi 

376th Air Expeditionary Wing

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TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan -- More than 200 local Kyrgyz business representatives attended a seminar organized in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, by Airmen from the Transit Center at Manas Oct. 15.

The business seminar, which focused on the process of bidding on contracts with the U.S. Government, was part of the ongoing process to improve commerce and the economy of Kyrgyzstan and maintain a good working relationship between the Transit Center and Kyrgyz citizens.

"The seminar is held to educate and establish a bigger vendor base with the Kyrgyz government," said Capt. Duke Santos, director of contracting with the 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron and the seminar chief organizer. "Hopefully, with this seminar, we'll get a bigger list of vendors to choose from when bidding for contracts. The seminar will also help them to further their business, not just in Kyrgyzstan, but in Afghanistan, Iraq and everywhere the U.S. Government is sanctioned. With more Kyrgyz business involvements, we can boost their economy. "

The seminar outlined the U.S. government's contract bidding, proposal work and the process of awarding contracts.

"Most Kyrgyz companies would like to get into government contracting, but they don't know how to and what we are looking for," said Staff Sgt. Courtney Frederick, 376th Expeditionary Contracting Squadron.

"This seminar gives them a very detailed overview of what U.S. contracting is about," she said after providing a briefing on contract types.

Briefers from the Transit Center also educated all the representatives in attendance on U.S. policy, business ethos and ethics, the government purchase card and the type of contracts currently in demand in the area of responsibility, especially at the Transit Center at Manas.

"I like the way the program was organized. The requirements are very detailed," said Mira Kaylbekova, representing Ak-Beta Wool Felt Clothing Company. "Everything was to the point. I was also impressed by every briefer. They all know the exact function of their job. If everything goes well, and our company is able to secure a contract with the U.S. Government, there's a lot of things we can learn from them. We are looking forward to furthering our relationship while working with the Transit Center and the U.S. Government."

Some of the representatives said they were impressed by the openness of the U.S. Government and its willingness to help improve the economy in Kyrgyzstan.
The desire of Kyrgyz citizens to work and cooperate with the Transit Center and the U.S. Government was obvious from the turnout and outcome of the seminar, said Nelly Yen, representative from Waybs Business Consultant Company.

"I like the outcome of the seminar because I received the information I came here expecting to receive," Yen said. "Now I understand the purpose of the seminar and what a tender looks like. I also learned some of the requirements, viewed the application and how to fill it out, and what the U.S. Government wants to see when we are bidding for contracts."

Most representatives believe the seminar is a way of developing Kyrgyz local and small businesses.

"I think this is a very good opportunity for the Kyrgyz people," she added. "I believe with more contracts from the U.S. Government, and with a lot of companies cooperating with the U.S. Government, it will make our economy more fruitful. Although some companies already have experience working with the U.S. Government, this seminar will give other companies without experience a direction to go in to secure a contract with the U.S. Government at the Transit Center."

After the seminar, organizers passed out CD's containing the briefings to all vendors in attendance for them to take back so that they could learn the process themselves and brief their organizations.

"There is a high demand to work for the U.S. Government here, which is why so many people showed up; they are highly interested," Yen said. "When we get home, we will deliver everything we discuss here to our company because they're all looking forward to everyone working together."

The seminar was put together by the Transit Center's 376th Contracting Squadron and the Kyrgyz Chambers of Commerce.