About

About the journal

The Caspian Business Journal is a new online publication providing actionable business information to investors, decision makers, entrepreneurs and those with an active interest in the greater Caspian Sea region.

Every month, CBJ provides a journal of extensive commentary and incisive analysis on commercial, financial, manufacturing, and service sectors of the countries of the greater Caspian region, including the five littoral states and the nations of Central Asia and the Caucasus.

“Business Cables,” CBJ’s blog, is updated regularly and offers the latest in business news and commentary.

While energy and civil society in the region are extensively covered by existing sources, there is little news and analysis on business development and entrepreneurship in new and existing industries, internal and cross-border trade and investment, and comparative legal and regulatory environments. As a result, foreign and local investors are missing out on critical information on opportunities and challenges in the greater Caspian Sea region.

CBJ provides this critical information. Register today with CBJ to get what you won’t find anywhere else.

The Caspian Business Journal, a US based publication, has offices in Washington, D.C., New York and London. To contact the Caspian Business Journal: info@caspibiz.com or call us at 202-406-0077.

About the staff

CBJ Contributors:

John Mackedon is a Consultant with the Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) department at the World Bank, based in Washington, D.C. John holds a MA in European and Eurasian Studies from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. He has also completed coursework towards a MA in Russian Studies at the European University at St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg, Russia. John lived and worked in Georgia from 2002-2006, first as a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Volunteer for the United States Peace Corps and then as a freelance journalist and consultant.

Anders Conway is a graduate student the University of Washington in the Jackson School of International Studies’ Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Program. The bazaar is the focus of his interdisciplinary studies. He recently returned from a 9 month stay in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan during which time he conducted his field research.

Symbat Abilkhassimova is currently studying for an MPA at the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University.

Brien Desilets is Managing Director of Claret Consulting llc. He has more than 10 years of experience in international development and finance, including work with the World Bank, the Eurasia Center and the Urban Institute.

Aziz Burkhanov is a doctoral student at Indiana University-Bloomington. He also holds a Master degree in Political Science from University of Paris-II Pantheon-Assas. Before starting his doctoral studies, Aziz Burkhanov worked in various areas of research and consulting, including multiple-year tenures at the IWEP, a think-tank advising the Government of Kazakhstan on international affairs and IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates, a world-leading company advising global energy players.

Michael Hikari Cecire is an economic development practitioner, freelance writer, and independent analyst currently based in Tbilisi. A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Georgia, he is a frequent commentator on economic development and South Caucasus policy issues. He holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Pennsylvania and has written articles for the London Telegraph, World Politics Review and TCS Daily. He is also the Managing Editor of Evolutsia.Net, a Georgia news analysis and commentary website.

Philip de Leon is president of Trade Connections International, LLC, a Washington D.C. based consultancy. He can be reached at: Philip@tradeconnectionsinternational.com.

Andrey Gidaspov has over twelve years of experience in business consulting in the IT and telecom (ICT) fields. He currently manages the U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship Program at The Washington Center.