The 26th annual World Business Congress, organized by the International Management and Development Association was held this week at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University.

The opening of the congress, themed “From Globalization to Regionalism and Localization: Organizations, Processes and Strategies”, was held on May 20th, 2017, in Kasym Tynystanov Conference Hall at the Chingiz Aitmatov Campus.

The Head of the Department of Strategic Development at the Ministry of Economics of the Kyrgyz Republic Aibek Kadyrov, Representative of the Republic of Turkey in Bishkek Atinc Keskin, Current Head of the Turkic Council Turkic Universities Union and KTMU Rector Sebahattin Balci, Prorector Husein Ogut, and Vice President of the IMDA and representative from Pennsylvania State University Dr. Erdener Kaynak joined academics from around the world at the opening of the congress.

In his opening speech, KTMU Rector Sebahattin Balci said: “We are happy to welcome our guests from the World Business Congress. It is very important that international theorists and practicioners, having come together, are discussing new research at the highest levels. This is why we are happy to be hosting this congress. I would like to thank everyone who has participated in this congress, especially the board of IMDA under the leadership of Dr. Erdener Kaynak. We hope that you will enjoy traditional Kyrgyz hospitality. Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University was founded in Bishkek in 1995 based on an agreement signed by the governments of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Turkey. This institution was created to ensure international cooperation, collaboration between business and education, all of which supports entrepreneurship and innovation. This creates an ideal place for academics to come together and discuss problems and issues. I think that holding this congress in Kyrgyzstan is important for the academic and business life of the country. I am certain that exchanging knowledge and experience at this congress will be useful for the Kyrgyz economy and society. I believe that this congress creates a base for further cooperation between KTMU and IMDA and ensures that well-deserved attention will be paid to international business education and practical experience. This experience for all of us will be fruitful and we will fondly remember these times. From all of us at KTMU, I would like to wish you the best for your stay here.”

The vice president of IMDA and professor at Pennsylvania State University Dr. Erdener Kaynak said: “This is the first time we are holding this congress in Kyrgyzstan. We are very happy to be in Kyrgyzstan and at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University. In our 30 year history, we have held congresses in many countries, from Canada to the Dominican Republic, from the USA to South Korea, from Taiwan to Bermuda, from Malaysia to Costa Rica, from Finland to Turkey, Poland, from Croatia to the United Kingdom. The goal of the association is bring together the government, academic community, and the business world. This year, we are discussing the theme of “From Globalization to Regionalism and Localization: Organizations, Processes, Politics and Strategies.” Dr. Kaynak added that participants from many countries had submitted papers, and that the IMDA is planning to host the next congress in either Malaysia or Mexico.

Dr. Nic S. Terblanche, from the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa, added that he is very impressed with KTMU and Kyrgyzstan, and wanted this congress to become a start of new cooperation. He also added that he hoped that researchers would show greater interest in the area in the future. Dr. Terblanche noted that this congress is the largest of the six events he has attended this year, and expressed satisfaction that communications networks in the field are growing.

The Head of the Department of Strategic Development at the Ministry of Economics Aibek Kadyrov thanked the Rector of KTMU for hosting this international congress and bringing more interest to Kyrgyzstan. He also gave a presentation about economic indicators in Kyrgyzstan. After his presentation, Dr. Sebahatting Balci presented Aibek Kadyrov with a commemorative plaque.

The Congress will continue until May 23.

The International Management Development Association (IMDA) was formed in 1987 in the State of Pennsylvania to provide an interdisciplinary and global platform for the exchange of ideas in the pursuit of professional growth and opportunities for academics, practitioners, and public policy makers at all levels. The organization is dedicated to offering member benefits and privileges through the development of worldwide personal networks and relationships. Management scholars, researchers, business practitioners and public policy makers representing a wide variety of disciplines, sectors, and industries from five continents have shown great interest and desire in the establishment of this non-profit organization. The Association's mission concerns management development through the transfer of information and knowledge, learning, cooperation and exchange of personnel. The Association is involved with all of the functional areas of business, namely management, finance, accounting, marketing, information systems, etc.