December 2019 CAPRC’s Ernest Hemingway Museum
The CAPRC’s Ernest Hemingway Museum which we established in May 2003, at Nakhchivan University, Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan is becoming more successful on its own.
November 2019 CAPRC TRAINING SESSION FOR KYRGYZ DELEGATION
Professor Lepinske , CAPRC chairman (left)is seen presenting a Certificate of Achievement to Kalender Nurlanovich Mulkabatov, from the office of the president of the Kyrgyz Republic 
for completing the training program focusing on economic development.
Certificates were presented to six representatives of the Kyrgyz government and prominent non-government organizations.
Friday November 8, 2019 FOREIGN STUDENTS AND U.S. EMPLOYMENT
Representatives from business, non-government organizations, and academia discussed “Foreign Students and U. S. Employment” during a business round table discussion and luncheon in Chicago’s Chinatown. With graduations of thousands of foreign students from U.S. universities, many are seeking employment in the U.S. Several foreign students, members of the CAPRC’s Young Professionals Program, are expected to participate, along with Professor Michael Vasilou, professor of finance, Loyola University, and chairman of the CAPRC’s university student program, YPP.
Seen at the CAPRC’s annual advisory board meeting held on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Evergr
een Restaurant in Chicago’s Chinatown, are (left to right) : Professor Paul Prabhaker, CAPRC co-chair, Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chair, Frank Rowder, public relations committee; Bakhtiar Khan, finance and economic committee co-chair; Michael Krzyston, chairman, members relations committee; Kyle Schulz, economic development committee ; Paul McDermott, who spoke about economic development; Bill Lada, International Trade Center liaison; Jerry Strub, Professor Mike Vasilou, Young Professionals Program chairman; and Kwan Segal, co-chair, education and training committee. The members focused on the productivity of each committee, its value, and plans for the future.
Sponsored by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center’s education and training committee, starting the discussions was Prof. Dr. Colleen Hickman, president of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Alliance, serving as the moderator; Kyle Schulz, director of economic development, Schaumburg Business Association; Prof Dr. Paul Prabhaker, College of Business, Northern Illinois University, and CAPRC vice chairman; and Ms. Kwan Segal, CEO and founder of International Career Advisory, Inc., a social enterprise.
Nov. 19, 2019 CAPRC POWER Presentation
Professor Harry Lepinske (center) is seen with Walter Knake, President, Western Springs Rota
rians, and Aminit Mittal, following Lepinske’s CAPRC power presentation at the Western Springs Baptist Village Church, Western Springs, Illinois on Nov. 19, 2019. A discussion followed.
Friday November 8, 2019 CAPRC Q4 BOARD MEETING ANNUAL MEETING
The Quarterly 4 Board Meeting was held at Evergreen Restaurant in the Chinatown of Chicago on Friday November 8th, 2019. CAPRC Chairman, Harry Lepinske, and our advisory board and committee members Paul Prubhaker, Michael Krzyston, Michael Vasilou, Bakhtiar Khan, Kwan Sega, Bill Lada, Paul McDermott, Kyle Schulz, and Frank Rowder participated in the meeting to
update the progress of our sub-committees’ efforts. We are also pleased to announce the appointment of two new members, Jafer Hasnain and Jerry Stub, as Associate Advisory Boards.
Ms. Segal recently completed an intensive visit to universities and academic conferences, to focus on career development for foreign students.
Ms. Kwan is focusing on customized career coaching programs for international students studying in the US and Professor Prabhaker is focusing on assisting foreign students with a view to study in the U.S. He has been especially involved with China, India, and Colombia. Both co-chairs have extensive experience with working with foreign students.
The CAPRC’ s education and training committee dates back to its founding more than 20 years ago, in Turkey and Azerbaijan, thus making it the CAPRC’s oldest and one of the organization’s most active committees.
The committee focuses on specialized education and training via, seminars, discussion, sessions, and formal classes, both in the U.S. and in Central Asian.
In recent months, it has welcomed professionals from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Russia. It now is planning a specially-designed program for eight specialists arriving in the U.S. from Kyrgyz Republic.
In cooperation with the CAPRC’s energy committee, the CAPRC is presenting its annual energy seminar on Friday, January 17, at the conference center of the Consulate of the republic of Turkey.
Thursday, October 10 – Playing Silk Road Games:
Chinese Business Strategies from Central Asia to Eastern Europe
Dr. Dirk Linowski discussed Chinese business strategies from Central Asia to Eastern Europe during a seminar sponsored by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center, in cooperation with Northern Illinois University’s College of Business-Global Programs. Professor Linowski commented: “There are now 
numerous considerations on a system competition with references to subsidized
Chinese monopolies and area-wide monitoring (keyword “point system”). Interestingly, the so called 16 or 17+1 format, in which China conducts bilateral negotiations with small East and Central European states, is less important in the media. However, it is part of the Chinese economic and socio-political global strategy, as it is as relevant for the EU as it is for the US that China (unlike Russia) is practically sitting around the table with the EU. Referring to a few specific visible principles, China plays open here, as it does in Central Asia, the Caucasian areas, Africa, and even in parts of the Caribbean. Along with the grand scheme of Chinese history, markets are the “handmaidens” of the state. Impacts on possible Western responses and real business applications will be discussed with the audience.”
This free invent was sponsored by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center (CAPRC).
Friday, Oct. 11 CAPRC FOCUS ON RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINESE MAINLAND STOCKS
Dr. Dirk Linowski, well known for his experience in international finance and an annual lecturer in China, Mongolia, Latvia, and Germany, will discuss “Risks and Opportunities of Investments in Chinese Mainland Stocks”
during a luncheon session, sponsored by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center’s finance and economic committee.
His presentation will open with a short review of Deng Xiaoping’s opening policy before discussing the development of the Chinese stock markets in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Referring to some fundamental civilization characteristics of China, it will be shown that the stock markets fulfill different objectives for the Chinese Central government. As a step toward a discussion, some considerations on the (limited) usefulness of Western corporate governance measures as to the MSCI-world-index policy will finish the presentation.
Friday, September 20, 2019 CAPRC Q 3 BOARD MEETING
Friday, September 20, 2019 CAPRC WELCOMES NEW INDONESIAN
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS CONSUL
Indonesia’s new consul for economic affairs in Chicago, Mr. Made P. Sentanajaya will be welcomed by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center during a special welcome luncheon. Consul Sentanajaya is known for his passion for learning and finding ways to develop mutual beneficial relationships for Indonesia and the host country. During his presentation, he will discuss his views about working with business and community groups and building successful relationships.
He has served in diplomatic positions at the headquarters in Jakarta, and in Slovakia and Finland.
SEPTEMBER 21-23 19th WORLD PRODUCTIVITY CONGRESS VENUE
Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
HOST: Chinese Association of Productivity
CAPRC Productivity Committee
Monday September 16 FINANCIAL ASPECTS OF U.S. BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS
DISCUSSION WITH AZERBAIJANI FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS
College of Business, Northern Illinois University 105 W. Madison St., 7th floor
A discussion session focusing on U.S. financial aspects of business was organized by the Central Asian Productivity Research Center’s finance and economics committee
Wednesday, June 26 Welcome Luncheon for Chinese Consul General Zhao Jian
The consul general, who has had a successful career in very prestigious positions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spoke and held discussions with CAPRC on China-US Relationship, celebrating 40 years of US-China Commercial Relations.
Consul General Zhoa Jian (left) is presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for ongoing support of CAPRC by CAPRC Board members Michael Krzyston and Harry Lepinske (center).
Consul General Zhoa Jian also thanked student members of CAPRC Young Professsional Program from China who assisted CAPRC at this year’s Silk Road Conference in Chicago.
Thursday June 20 2019 PAKISTAN AMBASSADOR KHAN CITING PAKISTAN’S PRIORITIES Event held at the Pakistan Consulate General
CAPRC advisory board members and associates in attendance:
Harry Lepinske, Joseph Haddad, Romuald Poplawski, and Captain Shahid Naseer
During the event, welcoming Pakistan Ambassador Asad Khan at the Pakistan consulate, he cited several priorities for economic development in Pakistan.
Several related directly to Central Asian Productivity Research Center’s Committees.
TOURISM
Two years ago, during the annual joint CAPRC-Pakistan consulate meeting, the former Consul General Faisal Tirmizi focused on tourism development in Pakistan.
The CAPRC then developed a research report focusing on tourism development in Silk Road countries. CG Tirmizi wrote a report about Pakistan tourism that was included in this report which was sent to travel publications. Joseph Haddad, tourism committee chairman, has been exploring organizing a group to visit Pakistan. He has been invited to meet with Consul General Javed Umrani
Consul General Umani suggested the theme for the joint CAPRC session in September focus on tourism.
ENERGY
Following the formal presentations, there were productive discussions between CAPRC Energy Chairman Romuald Poplawski, Ambassador Khan, Consul General Umrani, and Commercial Consul Amer Sultan Tareen. Consul Tareen was invited to give a presentation during the CAPRC’s proposed annual Energy Seminar scheduled in January 2020. Meanwhile, Rom will be in contact with the consulate personnel.
AGRO DEVELOPMENT
The ambassador and consul general both were briefed on the CAPRC’s agro committee. Following communications with the CAPRC ago committee, the CAPRC will follow up.
Friday, June 14 Russian Business Leader TRAINING PROGRAM
CAPRC’s Education and Training Committee in Cooperation with
World Chicago and U.S. Department of State
AGENDA
13:30 Welcome Aleksandra Efimova, Us-Russian Chamber of Commerce
Opening Remarks/Introductions
13:45 Introduction to Business
Professor Harry Lepinske, Chairman
Central Asian Productivity Research Center
14:45 Understanding Legal Aspects For US Business
Alex Nisengolts, Co-chair, CAPRC’s legal; committee (Russian)
CAPRC’s Liaison, Kazakhstan Legal Community
Demitrus Evans, Co-chair, CAPRC’s legal committee
15:50 Introduction to Marketing
Prof. Lepinske
16:45 Concluding Discussions
Michael Alexander Krzyston, CAPRC Marketing Committee
May 16, 2019 10:30am Port of Milwaukee Tour
Port of Milwaukee, Port Administration Building
2323 S. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53207
The Mission of the Port Milwaukee is to en-hance the overall economic and social environ-ment of the City and region by stimulating trade, business, and employment. Consistent with the Port’s water-related location, the Port shall strive to be a premier provider of transportation and distribution services for its commercial custom-ers and support public recreation, leisure, and other uses the Port deems to be in the public in-terest.
FEATURED SPEAKERS:
Adam Schlicht – Port Director, Port of Milwaukee
Peter Hirthe Sr. – Trade Development, Port of Milwaukee
Katy Sinnott – VP Intl Business Development
Wisconsin Economic Development Corp
Friday May 10, 2019,CAPRC Q2 BOARD MEETING
09:30am Northern Illinois University Chicago
105 W. Madison St., 7th Fl
NO SEMINAR-WORK SESSION
SILK ROAD WEEK EVENTS 2019
Monday, April 1 INTRODUCTION TO EXPORTING
Northern Illinois University Loop Facility
105 W. Madison St. 7th Floor
Tuesday, April 2 VISIT FEDERAL RESERVE BANK
230 S. LaSalle St.
Tuesday, April 2 QUALITY MANAGEMENT SEMINAR
The Incubator Tour of the Center
Illinois Science and Technology Park
8025 Lamon Ave. Skokie
Wednesday, April 3, 2019 2019 SILK ROAD CONFERENCE
Become Involved in Central Asia’s New Awakening
Illinois Institute of Technology’s
Kent College of Law, 565 W. Adams St., Chicago IL
Professor Harry Lepinske, conference chairman, seen with conference volunteers from three different countries
Agenda
09:00 OPENING REMARKS OFFICIAL WELCOME-NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Professor Harry Lepinske, Chairman
Central Asian Productivity Research Center
09:05 OFFICIAL WELCOME-NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Dr. Paul Prabhaker, Ph.D.
09:15 WELCOME TO ILLINOIS
Ms. Laura Ortega-Lamela, Executive Director
International Business Council
Illinois Chamber of Commerce
09:30 Central Asia: A Timely Overview
Ms. Erin Cole, Formerly with the U.S. Department of State, and
U.S. Agency for International Development, Central Asia nations.
10:00 STRUCTURAL REFORMS AND BUSINESS CLIMATE IN AZERBAIJAN
Hon. Orkhan Zeynalov
Economic Consul Embassy of Azerbaijan Washington D.C.
10:30 Morning Break
11:00 CHINA
Hon. Jon. Liu Jun, acting consul general
China Consulate General, Chicago
11:30 The Role of Kazakhstan in the One Belt Road Initiative
Hon. Zhanibek Abdrashov, consul general
Consulate of Kazakhstan, New York
12:00 PAKISTAN – An Emerging Pakistan
Hon. Javed Ahmed Umrani,
Consulate General of Pakistan Chicago
12:30 LUNCH Central Asian gourmet cuisine
13:30 TURKEY’S ENTERPRISING AND HUMANITARIAN FOREIGN POLICY
Hon. Umut Acar, Consulate General of Turkey, Chicago
14:00 HONG KONG
Winchell Cheung, director-Midwest
Hong Trade Development Council
14:30 AFTERNOON REFRESHMENTS
Sponsored by Clinton Iowa Regional Development Corporation
“Building a Better Tomorrow”
14:45 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ROUNTABLE
Moderator – Gary A. Camarano, Economic Development & Enterprise
Zone Administrator Whiteside County, Illinois
American – Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce
Elena V.Son, executive director
China General Chamber of Commerce Chicago
Wenyue Zhang, Executive director
United States-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce
U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association
Sarah Nickel, Executive Director
15:45 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN INDONESIA
Hon. Rosmalawati Chalid, Consul General of Indonesia, Chicago
16:50 CENTRAL ASIA’S LABOR MIGRATION
Catherine Moylan Mini, Acting Chair
Economic Development Committee, CAPRC
16:30 HEMINGWAY IN AZERBAIJAN
Dr. Susanbar Agamaliyeva Nakhchivan State University
Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan
16:40 SOYBEANS AND ILLINOIS EXPORTS
David Headley
Illinois Soybean Association
16:45 CONCLUDING REMARKS
17:00 CENTRAL ASIAN PRODUCTIVITY RESEARCH CENTER’S
20th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Sponsored by: Become a CAPRC Sponsor
May 2019 AZERBAIJAN GOVERNMENT LEADERS AT 1st ILLINOS-AZERBAIJAN AGRICULTURE FORUM
Professor Harry Lepinske, of Western Springs, –founding chairman of the Central Asian Productivity Research Center, (center) is seen welcoming leaders of the Azerbaijan delegation at the Drake Hotel, Chicago, for the 1st Illinois-Azerbaijan Agriculture Forum, H. E. Elin Suleymanov, ambassador to the USA; H. E. Inam Karimov. minister of agriculture; Reza Vaziri, chairman, U.S.-Azerbaijan Chamber of Commerce; and Orkhan Zeynalov, economic consul ,Azerbaijan Embassy in Washington, DC.
Lepinske , who began teaching in Turkey and Azerbaijan in 1999,is an honorary professor at two universities in Azerbaijan. He has been invited to lecture at universities in Africa, Europe, and Asia, several universities in China including China’ s University of Aeronautics and Aerospace in Beijing.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Harry Lepinske Recognized for 20 years of outstanding service as Chairman of the Central Asia Productivity Research Center
Michael Krzyston, (left) chairman of the policy committee, Central Asian Productivity Research Center, and Professor Jamaluddin Husain, (right) chairman of the entrepreneurship committee for the CAPRC, are seen presenting a certificate of recognition to Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC’s founding chairman, for his 20 years of chairing the organization, during the CAPRC’s 20th anniversary Silk Road Conference held at Illinois Institute of Technology’s Kent College of Law in downtown Chicago.
April 2019 Northwest Indiana World Trade Alliance
Professor Ha
rry Lepinske, chairman, Central Asian Productivity Research Center (left) is seen presenting a Certificate of Appreciation” to Dr. Colleen Hickman, CAPRC’s secretary, for her years of volunteer service to the center, during a meeting of the Northwest Indiana World Trade Alliance, in Merrillville, Indiana, where Dr. Hickman is the president. Looking on is Yuri Hoffman, chair for the CAPRC’s maritime committee, and Greg Boyan, a member of the CAPRC’s economic development committee.
February 26, 2019 KHOJALY Memorial
Speakers at the February 26 Khojaly massacre memorial ceremony at 
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago were(left to right):Hon. Aykhan Hajizada, first secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Hon. Umut Acar, consul general, Consulate general, Republic of Turkey; Professor Harry Lepinske, chairman, Central Asian Productivity Research Center; Ad Ahmad Obali, managing director, Gunaz TV.
February 15, 2019 DOING BUSINESS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC
Direct Line webinar was sponsored by the Bureau of Economic & Business Affairs, U.S. Department of State. Donald Lu, U.S. Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic, will lead a discussion on Central Asia’s “island of democracy,” including a visafree regime, liberal legislation in support of foreign investment, and a qualified labor force.
February, 2019 Silk Road 2019 Planning
Professor Harry Lepinske, CAPRC chairman is seen extending an invitation to the China Ambassador Cui Tiankai to the 2019 Silk Road Conference and the CAPRC’s 20th anniversary celebration, scheduled on Wednesday, April 3, at IIT’s Kent College of Law Auditorium, 565 W. Adam St. The invitation was extended during a reception following a Chinese New Year celebration at Chicago’s Symphony Center, following a performance of both the Hubei Chime Bells National Chinese Orchestra and the Peking Opera Company
Friday, January 18 2019 CAPRC Q1 BUSINESS MEETING
9am at the Consulate of the Turkish Republic
455 N. Cityfront Plaza , Suite 2900 Chicago
Friday, January 18 2019 CENTRAL ASIA’S ROLE IN WORLD ENERGY
The Central Asia Productivity Research Center continues to presented its annual “Energy Security Seminar” featuring talented members of the CAPRC energy committee and highly-respected guest presenters.
With some 11 foreign diplomats in attendance and requests for the presentations, the CAPRC 2019 Energy Seminar proved successful both with timely content and a demand for a repeat in 2020, at the Turkish consulate in Chicago, the site of the 2019 event on January 18.
“As the economy in Central Asia continues to grow dramatically, the CAPRC presented its annual Energy Seminar featuring talented members of the CAPRC Energy Committee ,” according to Dr. Ozgur Arslan Ayaydin, the CAPRC energy committee chair.
Committee members include: Professor Mehmet Karan, Business School, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey, co-chair; Dr. Arslan Ayaydin, co-chair; Dr. Jamaluddin Husain, Purdue University Northwest; Dr. Paul Prabhaker, associate vice president emeritus, Global Programs, College of Business, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois; Professor Anthony Preston, program manager,. Global Programs, College of Business, NIU; and Professor Wim Westerman, University of Groningen, Netherlands.
Joining to discuss the success of the 2019 Energy Conference are (left to right): (Romuald Poplawski, member of the CAPRC’s energy committee and speaker; Dr. Ozgur Arslan Ayaydin, the CAPRC’s energy committee chairman and speaker
SUSTAINABILITY IN THE ENERGY INDUSTRY
Dr. Ozgur Arslan-Ayaydin, Clinical ProfessorDepartment of Finance, University of Illinois at Chicago
SUMMARY: When valuing an energy project, it is important to understand the dynamic of supply and demand fundamentals that drive the prices of energy commodities. In the short term, we can project the continued levels of crude oil production in the U.S. and worldwide. It is expected that the oil price will continue to stay in the current range, which is well reflected in today’s forward curve. Speaking of the medium term, this is the most uncertain projection given the multiple factors at hand, which include the multiple geopolitical conflicts, the uncertain environmental politics, the high cost of drilling new oil wells that may keep the U.S. production from rising, and the possibility of a new recession. Lastly, in the long run, it makes sense to posit the question on existential risks to the oil price, given the increased investment around the world in renewable energy and the growth in the use of electric vehicles.
With respect to the price of natural gas, this market is definitely transforming from a more regional to a more global, where a lot depends on the development of the LNG trade. As the LNG market continues to be highly capital intensive, risky, with long payback, a lot depends on the attractiveness of LNG margins, which have fallen dramatically in the recent years due to the increased competition in the LNG space. Hence, attention needs to be paid to the dynamic of international natural gas trade and to the geopolitical situation in the main natural gas consuming and producing regions. That remains the most important dynamic at present. As for the U.S. production, it seems to be continued at a level that does not allow the price of natural gas to rise significantly, which would push the U.S. to continue to explore export opportunities. The long-term risks to natural gas are similar to those for oil and stem mostly from environmental concerns.
OPPORTUNITIES IN GLOBAL RENEWABLE ENERGY
A Chicago international business executive’s Personal experiences
Romuald Poplawski, U.S. Global Energy LLC Chicago
ENERGY PRICES AND RISKS
Professor Engenia Govbeva, Clinical Professor Department of Finance
University of Illinois-Chicago
Friday, February 1 Annual Chinese New Year Luncheon
House of Fortune Chinese Café
13th Annual Silk Road Conference 2017
12th Annual Silk Road Conference 2016
11th Annual Silk Road Conference 2015
November 28, 2005 The 1st New Silk Road Conference
Updated November 11, 2020 by Michael Alexander Krzyston
Alexander KUpdatedrzyston
Updated by Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston
Michael Alexander Krzyston