JCC Annual Central Asia/South Caucasus Conference

Zurich, September 11, 2025 – Against the backdrop of intensifying global competition and shifting geopolitical alignments, the Joint Chamber of Commerce Switzerland–Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus (JCC) hosted a high-level conference titled “Trade and Investment in Central Asia and the South Caucasus: Business Opportunities in a Realigning World” at Everllence Schweiz AG in Zurich. The event brought together policymakers, business leaders, legal experts, and trade specialists to examine the evolving economic landscape of one of the world’s most strategically significant regions.

A Region at the Crossroads of Global Power Dynamics

Opening remarks by Dorit Sallis, Managing Director of the JCC, and Mathias Scherer André, International Sales Leader at Everllence AG, set the tone for a dynamic afternoon of dialogue and insights. Both emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships between Switzerland and the Central Asia–South Caucasus region at a time when global power centers are recalibrating their economic and political strategies.

The first keynote address by Christopher J. Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory Ltd., painted a nuanced picture of the geopolitical pressures shaping the region. His presentation, “Central Asia & the South Caucasus in an Era of Great Power Rivalry,” underscored how countries in the region are carefully managing relationships with competing powers—China, Russia, the EU, and the United States—while advancing their own sovereign interests and economic resilience.

Switzerland’s Strategic Engagement

Representing the Swiss government, Ambassador Andrea Rauber-Saxer, Head of the Bilateral Economic Relations Division at SECO, outlined Switzerland’s economic policy toward the region. Her talk detailed ongoing trade, investment, and development cooperation programs, reaffirming Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable, inclusive growth in Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Economic Pulse and Sectoral Insights

Murat Seitnepesov, President of the Greater Caspian Association, delivered a timely economic snapshot, highlighting robust growth figures, increased private sector activity, and regional priorities such as digitalization and green transition.

This was followed by two highly relevant sectoral briefings:

• Dinara Jarmukhanova, Partner at Centil Law Firm, shared promising developments in renewable energy projects and cross-border cooperation in her session “Energy Linkages in 2025.”

• Nikolas Kohler, Regional Managing Director ME/Central Asia at M&M Militzer & Münch AG, explored trade corridors and infrastructure investments in his presentation “Logistics Linkages in 2025.”

An additional spotlight was placed on Swiss Days Uzbekistan 2025, encouraging Swiss companies to explore upcoming business and networking opportunities in Tashkent later this year.

Panel Discussion: Regional Resilience in a Multipolar World

The event concluded with a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Andreas Bitzi, JCC Board Member and Managing Director at Business Solutions Partners. Panelists discussed how countries in the region are fostering resilience, regional cooperation, and connectivity while navigating an increasingly unpredictable international environment.

With a case study from Turkmenistan presented by Iurie Moraru, JCC Vice President, the discussion highlighted investment opportunities, policy reforms, and infrastructure initiatives designed to enhance regional integration and long-term economic sustainability.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Relevance: Central Asia and the South Caucasus remain critical to East-West and North-South trade, energy, and transit routes.

• Multilateral Balancing: Countries are increasingly adept at navigating great power competition while strengthening regional ties.

• Green and Digital Growth: Renewable energy and digital transformation are high on the regional development agenda.

• Swiss Role: Switzerland continues to play a constructive role through investment, development cooperation, and institutional support.