Washington-based strategic advisory for companies and investors moving between the United States and Central Asia.
Central Asia Strategic Advisory is a Washington-based platform strengthening economic engagement between the United States and Central Asia. We work at the intersection of business, policy and international economic cooperation.
Companies, institutions and investors come to CASA for a working knowledge of both sides — regional dynamics in Central Asia and the U.S. institutional landscape — and the access to act on it.
Counsel for companies and institutions navigating U.S.–Central Asia economic engagement — aligning strategic objectives with market realities before capital or reputation is committed.
Support for companies entering a new market and building partnerships there: assessment, positioning, partner search and the path to an operating presence.
Connections with policymakers, institutions and industry stakeholders across the U.S. and Central Asian landscape — including delegations, roundtables and executive visits.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Uzbekistan to strengthen American trade, investment and diplomatic ties across Central Asia, a strategically important region with extensive economic connections to Russia and China. The visit brought together regional officials and a large US business delegation, with agreements worth approximately $12 billion announced as Washington seeks new commercial opportunities and more diversified access to critical mineral resources.
President Tokayev has proposed the emerging U.S. approach to AI governance — a potential “Washington Model” — as a foundation for broader international cooperation under the United Nations.
Forums and delegations where CASA clients meet counterparts. Ask us about introductions ahead of any of them.
Ramazan Slamkhanov works with businesses, institutions and investors building partnerships across the U.S. and Central Asian markets.
Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at The Friedlander Group in New York, advising governments, corporations and international organizations on government affairs, advocacy and geopolitical engagement.
Dina Shaikhislam is a graduate of the United Nations University in Tokyo, Japan, and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
She currently serves as Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia at The Friedlander Group (TFG), a New York City-based political consulting and government affairs firm specializing in corporate advocacy, lobbying, government relations, public and media relations, and political event management. In this capacity, she advises governments, corporations, and international organizations on government affairs, lobbying and advocacy strategies, strategic partnerships, public policy, and geopolitical engagement across international markets. As part of TFG, she has worked with and represented governments and international organizations and businesses, including those of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Japan, Romania, and Hungary.
Throughout her career, Dina has held positions with prominent international organizations and institutions across Europe and Asia. She previously served as a Consultant at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Tokyo, contributed to global media and human rights initiatives at the Thomson Reuters Foundation in London, served as Account Manager for Kazakhstan at Elsevier in Amsterdam, and worked as Project Manager at Ginger SOFRECO, an international consulting firm, in Paris.
Her professional experience spans corporate advocacy and lobbying, government affairs, international development, strategic communications, media relations, and geopolitical engagement, with extensive experience working across governments, corporations, and international institutions in Europe, Asia, and beyond.
International development professional with 25+ years in economic policy, governance and structural reform, including more than a decade with the World Bank Group and the IMF.
Sobir Kurbanov is an international development professional with over 25 years of experience working on economic policy, governance, and structural reform across emerging and transition economies. His career includes more than a decade with the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, with roles spanning both headquarters and field assignments across Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and the broader Eurasia region. He has focused extensively on designing and implementing economic reforms in complex political and institutional environments.
Throughout his career, Sobir has worked closely with governments, international financial institutions, and development partners on a wide range of reform agendas. His expertise covers macroeconomic policy, public sector governance, private sector development, trade, FCV, conflict resilience, social development, and institutional strengthening. He has contributed to country diagnostics, policy lending operations, and advisory programs, while also supporting high-level policy dialogue and reform implementation. His analytical work includes economic assessments, policy briefs, and comparative studies on transition and development.
More recently, his work has centered on regional initiatives in Central Asia focused on economic governance, competitiveness, and private-sector growth, including engagement with the World Bank on diagnostics for jobs and structural transformation. He has led multi-stakeholder consultations, supported the design and validation of reforms, and translated analytical findings into actionable policy recommendations.
In addition to his professional work, Sobir has teaching experience in economic policy, industrial policy, and public policy analysis at institutions such as the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the George Washington University’s Elliott School. His teaching emphasizes interactive, case-based learning that bridges theory with real-world policy practice.
Business-focused professional with experience in data analysis, event organization, operations and social media marketing, including work with the Eurasian Start Up Hub.
Tair Ilyassov is an ambitious and organized business-focused professional with experience in data analysis, event organization, operations, customer service, and social media marketing. His professional experience includes working with the Eurasian Start Up Hub, where he supported client data organization and event management, as well as customer-facing and social-care roles that strengthened his communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Tair completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Westminster Academy, studying Economics, Business Management, and English Language and Literature at higher level. He speaks English and Russian at advanced levels and has additional knowledge of Kazakh and Spanish.
His interests center on business, entrepreneurship, marketing, international commerce, and developing practical solutions to real-world challenges. He combines analytical skills with an adaptable, proactive approach and a strong interest in building experience across different areas of business.
Tell us where you are headed. We reply to every enquiry within two business days.
